Shannon Larkin and Mike Sullivan are seemingly unaware of their long family connection, but their love affair follows the same tragic path as the one forged by their mutual ancestors Colm Sullivan and Molly Larkin. Mike, who bears an eerie resemblance to his great-great grandfather Colm, is committed to an insane asylum after he attacks Shannon in her home and kills one of her friends. Even while confined, Mike is still obsessed by Shannon and schemes to escape his mental prison. Although Shannon finds happiness with newcomer Scott Page and begins a family with him, she cannot erase the memories of Mike from her mind. Madness has consumed this fourth generation in the guise of Mike Sullivan, and he will stop at nothing to make Shannon his own.