The series is set in the 1960s and revolves around the Akarsu family. Ali Akarsu is the patriarch of the family and he works as a seaman and the captain of a ship. He is married to Cemile and they have 4 children: Berrin (a law student at İstanbul University), Aylin and Mete, who are high school students as well as 5 year old son, Osman. When Ali goes on one of his many trips, he begins an affair with a Dutch woman named Caroline and that leads to the disintegration of the Akarsu family. When Caroline comes to Turkey uninvited, Cemile wounds her by stabbing and goes to jail. Caroline is hospitalized. There she sets her terms: Ali must get a divorce from Cemile in order for Caroline to drop charges against Cemile and release her from jail. Caroline moves in with Ali. Cemile and children get evicted from their house and are without money. Ali lets Cemile and children live in the unfinished house in Zeytinli, while setting obstacles for Cemile for finding a job. Ali’s mother Hasefe supports Cemile totally and helps her on daily basis.