Stealing your heart’s desire requires turning a blind eye to the repercussions. Set in the late 1950's Ellen Landfred in some ways was a woman ahead of her time. As a devoted wife she was instrumental in creating a chain of successful department stores working side-by-side with her husband. Miraculously Ellen survives a diagnosis of death from cancer; only to be blindsided by her husband of many decades. Immediately upon her recovery, he demands a divorce to marry a close family friend. Devastated, Ellen seeks a change of scenery to begin her life anew as a wealthy divorcee. She rents a cottage in Hobe Sound, Florida, a rural tropical paradise and a luxury escape from the cold up north. There, she is surprised to discover herself strongly attracted to the young married man nearly half her age who lives in the small house across the lane. At first Ellen’s determined to suppress her longings. But no matter how hard she tries, Ellen's unable, and finds herself constantly fantasizing about him. Fate intervenes, when a sudden violent tragedy falls upon this young man and his wife. Ellen seizes the opportunity to destroy their marriage. She feels justified and entitled due to everything that has befallen her. Ellen's first attempts at seduction are rejected, but eventually she wears down the object of her desire; despite the fact he still loves his wife. A passionate secret affair ensues complicating both their lives.