When her parents are killed in a truck accident outside their poor Mexican village, Delia Yeberra is sent to live with her wealthy aunt in Palm Springs, California, but she soon discovers the dark underside of her glamorous new life as she become caught in a bitter battle whose resentment may be linked to a sinister secret, in the first volume in a trilogy.

Since her mother was institutionalized, sixteen-year-old Celeste has been in and out of orphanages. Celeste is overjoyed when Wade and Ami Emerson adopt her. But when she discovers Ami's real reason for adopting her - a reason that involves a sexual tryst with Ami's father-in-law - Celeste is terrified.

Delia returns to the home of her wealthy aunt to continue her education at an exclusive private school, only to find herself the target of a vengeful spurned suitor and dealing with the bitter jealousy of her cousin Sophia, and the loss of her lover Adan.