An affair leads to the break-up of two marriages in Wilmington, North Carolina, where a state law, "Alienation of Affection and Criminal Conversation," allows a rejected spouse to sue the person who interfered in the marriage. The story chronicles the unraveling of a marriage and the pain and animosity of divorce. Emily Chambers, a thirty-something stay-at-home mom, thinks she is happily married until she meets charismatic and handsome Andy Bennett at a Christmas party hosted by Wilmington's film studio. Emily's husband, Josh, owns a company that finds movie locations for production companies. Sparks fly between Emily and Andy and they embark on an affair. Emily's hidden marital dissatisfaction and unhappiness are exposed, and her passionate love-making with Andy elevates her sexual gratification to a new level. When Josh finds out about the affair, he leads Emily to their Baptist minister for counseling, but Emily pursues divorce. Seeking revenge, Josh sues Andy, the scion of a wealthy real estate family, for monetary compensation. Andy's financial well-being is in the hands of a jury.