A traffic accident has several consequences for Guido and his family. While he has a long recovery ahead, Veronique loses her unborn child and Marie-Rose goes to VDB Electronics to claim her place as the CEO of the company. When Guido is able to return, Marie-Rose decides to start her own company with the help of business partner Gerard Van de Caveye. Fashion house Maison Marie-Rose is born. Peter has his own problems when facing a trial after the alleged abuse of his best friends girlfriend Birgit. When he is found not guilty, Peter decides to start a career in the military.
Rita loses her second son and moves with Dirk to the United States. When he cheats on her with several women, Rita returns to Belgium a broken woman. She looks for solice in alcohol and gets institutionalized after a suicide attempt.
The flirting attempts of Babette result in a divorce between Jan and Monique. While Babette moves on with Peter, Jan loses his home and children and Monique decides to make her life better by opening her own restaurant. She soon meets businessman Didier De Kunst, who happens to be Guido's biggest competitor.
Elsewhere, new love finds a way in the family. Anna meets widower Albert Thielens and the two get married. Marleen wants to start a family with school teacher Ben Van der Venne, but they have to think about adoption to have their own child. Francois Van den Bossche - the only brother of the deceased Pierre - has to deal with the dementia of his wife Simonne and eventually sends her to a nursing home.
