Charm school graduate and model Leonora Eames foolishly marries a deranged multimillionaire named Smith Ohlrig, who has not married for love but in an act of defiance after his psychiatrist tells him he will never marry. The marriage is loveless, with Ohlrig abusing Leonora: mentally, isolating her, criticizing her, exhibiting furious jealousy, and expecting her to be available at all hours. After escaping her unhappy life, Leonora finds work with obstetrician Dr. Hoffman and pediatrician Dr. Larry Quinada, whom she soon falls for, but their happiness is threatened when Ohlrig refuses to grant her a divorce and claims paternity of their unborn child.