In the first half of the story, audiences are introduced to Eden, a Black woman enduring a hellish existence on a Southern slave plantation during the Civil War era. She and the other slaves suffer under the brutal regime of Confederate soldiers, undergoing unspeakable treatment at the hands of their captors. Eden tries to maintain a sense of defiance, though escape seems impossible. Her interactions with fellow slaves, particularly a newly captured woman named Julia who urges her to dream of freedom, highlight the desperation and faint hope that simmer among the captives. Eden is watched closely by the plantation's sinister overseer and owner, who ensure the strictest control through violence and oppression.

Simultaneously, the plot interweaves scenes from a seemingly disparate context featuring Veronica, a successful Black author and sociologist in the modern era, who speaks on matters of race and inequality. She leads a comfortable life with her husband and daughter and has a supportive circle of friends, which includes her best friend and a fashion designer named Elizabeth. Despite her success, Veronica experiences subtle racist encounters that serve as a stark contrast to her otherwise polished milieu. As the narratives of Eden and Veronica unfold, a mysterious and disturbing connection between the two eras becomes increasingly evident, setting the stage for a shocking revelation that threatens the very fabric of Veronica's existence.