When the troubled ex of a happily married woman is released from prison and wants a place in their children’s lives, she learns that he’s not the changed man he claims to be when he plots to make them into a family again at any cost.

Scott Carter pushes his abusive nature too far with his wife Macie and two young children, Emma and Austin, and lands himself in jail. Macie has peace of mind and moves on with her life, meeting the true man of her dreams, Branden. They marry and start a life for themselves with Branden being the father that Emma and Austin need.

Things couldn’t be better until Macie’s attorney tells her that Scott was released from prison early for good behavior. Scott arrives at their door, wanting to see his kids. He is about to tell them who he really is when Macie claims he’s an old friend passing through. As he goes to leave, he tells Macie he will be seeking visitation rights.

While Macie believes it’s not possible for Scott to win in court, her attorney claims he has a solid chance. A negotiator is brought in to reach an agreement. Macie is pushed to accept that Scott can take the kids every other weekend and four weeks in the summer.

Scott picks up the kids and Macie crumbles. She worries every moment about their safety. Meanwhile, Scott tries to get under Macie’s skin by turning the kids against her. He dotes on his children to win over their affections, and it begins to work beautifully. At home, the kids grow more distant from Macie and Branden.

Macie tries to make amends with her kids. One night, she hears Emma talking to someone inside her bedroom and fears it could be Scott but when she checks, she finds Emma seemingly asleep. In reality, Scott has talked his daughter into letting him inside the house some nights to spend time with her when he really wants to spy on Macie.

Scott takes the kids to a 4th of July festival. Emma and Austin enjoy themselves until Austin spills some of his snow cone on Scott’s new shoes. Angered, Scott yanks him by the arm, failing to realize that Macie’s assistant Rhonda watches. Ready to call Macie, Scott leads Rhonda off to a secluded area and when he can’t talk her out of calling Macie, he strangles Rhonda and dumps her body into a river.

Branden and Macie take the kids on a camping trip. Using a location app on Emma’s new phone, Scott rents a cabin nearby and grabs the kids, drugging them to keep them calm. Macie and Branden split up to search the woods. Macie comes across Scott’s car by the cabin. When she goes to rescue the kids, Scott uses chloroform on her.

Macie wakes, tied to a chair and gagged. She pleads with Scott, but his delusions of having his family back together are too strong. When he forces them out to his car, Branden attacks. Following an intense battle, Macie ends up with Scott’s gun and shoots him.

Branden receives adoption papers for the kids and breaks the news to them, that he is now legally their father.