Mildred Pierce

After being unable to reconcile with her daughter, Mildred pushes Monty into getting engaged. She starts to live beyond her means, and soon has her creditors coming after her. When she decides to ask Veda for a loan, she discovers her in bed with Monty and nearly kills her. She ultimately gets together with Bert and Veda moves to New York to start a life with Monty. less

Mildred adds a Beverly Hills restaurant to her holdings and plans to expand further. Mildred and Veda grow apart, and Mildred throws her daughter out of the house when she suspects that she is faking a pregnancy. Months later when Veda has become a successful opera star, Mildred plans to get her daughter back. less

Mildred opens her restaurant, and her relationship with Monty grows. Veda is disappointed when her mother doesn't get her a piano she wanted, and she reveals that Monty has been telling her inappropriate details about their relationship. Mildred confronts him and breaks things off with him. less

Mildred starts sells pies at the diner, and begins making plans to open her own restaurant. She meets Monty Beragon and joins him on a trip to the beach. She comes home to find her youngest daughter deathly ill, and though she gets her to the doctor she does not survive. less