Valentin is being detained in a holding cell. Despite Clem's insistent pleas, he refuses to explain what he has done. Clem stands strong even though her world is falling apart. Marie-France, devastated by being separated from the kids, loses her bearings and decides to petition the court for custody of Valentin and Emma.

After admitting he is guilty of assault, Valentin turns himself into the police. Clem moves heaven and earth to defend him. Meanwhile, she is convinced she now knows the identity of the person guilty of causing her car accident. But as the obstacles pile up, Clem realizes that without her family's support, she won't be able to save Valentin.

Clem finally has a streak of good luck. She finds a new job doing inventory in a local factory and begins a new romance with Fred, not knowing that he was involved in her mother's death. Valentin is having doubts about his relationship with Izia. Is she really the one for his first time? Meanwhile, Adrian is delighted to spend time with his son again, but without a job the bills pile up fast. Everyone is making progress... then suddenly, someone near and dear to Clem is struck down with a life-threatening illness.

Clem has an emergency to deal with: her daughter is a victim of heavy metal poisoning. Time is of the essence. She's got to find out what caused the illness, and fast. Val, just as strong willed as his mother, takes an interest in ecology and gets a crush on a young activist named Clara. Izia is having a hard time fitting in at Marie-France and Michel's. Soon Victoire is the only one left she can count on to support her. Will the young couple survive their first real relationship crisis? Adrian, who for the time being has taken a job teaching salsa dancing, gets an indecent proposition. Hard to say no when you're broke and have a child to raise. Troubling times for Clem, who keeps fighting and knows she can count on Fred. But does she really know him for who he is?

While she continues investigating the poisoning, Clem happily dreams about a new life with Fred. But little by little, the lies start to tighten on them like a noose. Meanwhile, as Val gets more and more involved in ecology with Clara, he neglects his friendship with Joris and his relationship with Izia. The drama of Emma's poisoning brings the whole clan together. Even Adrian, who begins a career as an escort to resolve his financial problems. The Brimonts pull together too, even though it's getting harder and harder to deal with "force 2" adolescence issues.

Adrian has been spoiling his son and goes a bit too far. It's impossible for him to talk about it with his family. Luckily, someone new shows up who just may be able to bring him to his senses. Val has really grown up. He experiences his very first time making love - with Clara. Clem is on her own now and everything seems to be going wrong, but she has to keep on fighting. She gets fired from the factory and Fred leaves her without warning. Her daughter is stigmatized and rejected at school. But Clem is still as tough as she ever was. She decides to confront those responsible for the poisoning and finds an unexpected ally.