Mildred opens a profitable new restaurant but her good fortune is tempered by Veda's manipulation of a smitten society bachelor and his wealthy family.
After throwing her cheating husband out of the house, a young mother named Mildred Pierce tries to find suitable work in Depression-era California.
With her pie side-business thriving, Mildred sets in motion a plan to start a business for herself and falls for a handsome stranger named Monty Beragon.
In the wake of tragedy, Mildred opens her new restaurant and reconnects with Monty, whose lethargy tests the bonds between Mildred and Veda.
In this mini-series finale, as Veda's singing career takes off, Mildred's efforts to reconcile with her estranged daughter finally pay off, though at a painful price.