Aufbruch in die Freiheit plot
1971. Erika's three children and work in the family business push her to the limit, but her husband Kurt does not listen to her complaints. When she unintentionally becomes pregnant, she secretly and illegally aborts the fetus in Cologne. However, it comes to heavy bleeding and emergency surgery in the nick of time saves her life. Back home, Erika learns that Kurt knew about her abortion and that he has tacitly allowed her to risk her life. She then moves in with her sister Charlotte, together with the children, but legally she has no leg to stand on.