Season 17

Renee wonders why her brother, Ricky, targets her; thankfully, her oldest brother, Ronnie, protects her and keeps Ricky in check. After years of his cruelty, they've had enough of him and fight back; that's when Ricky plots his revenge.

When Christina meets Loren, she's looking for love and an escape from a troubled home; after his dark side emerges, Christina thinks she's the lone target of his rage until a trail of clues reveals that Loren and his best friend are serial killers.

Lisa can't understand why her mom stays with her dad. He's cruel, unpredictable and violent while Lisa finds ways to cope, but what takes place is something she couldn't have imagined.

When Kristyn escapes her toxic home and rageful mother, she leaves behind her sister and grandmother. It's a decision that still haunts her today. Kristyn’s mother, Melissa, is angry and jealous, leading to unthinkable and brutal murders.

Desiray is lost and vulnerable when she meets the kind and understanding Ray. But when Ray begins to reveal his violence and cruelty, Desiray finds herself trapped in a living hell and must fight like hell to survive.

Debra believes Randy is a good man and faith will help him overcome his dark past; after they marry, his violent and cruel side takes over; she manages to escape, but the next woman isn't so lucky.

Mike has a knack for charming Courtney and her kids. She thinks he is vulnerable, kind and sweet. She is dead wrong. After he moves in, his jealousy of everyone in Courtney's life boils over. When she finally has enough of him, his rage explodes.

When Abbi sees her boyfriend's darkness, she tries to help but cannot. She hopes being a father will change him, but it doesn't. When his cruelty becomes too much to handle, she leaves and quickly discovers who her boyfriend was all along.

At the age of sixteen, Roxie rushes into marriage. Her husband manipulates and threatens her nearly every day. After 30 years in an abusive marriage, Roxie finally leaves her husband. But he makes her pay a terrible price for that decision.