1994. Frans leaves as a UNMO (United Nations Military Observer) to the war in former Yugoslavia. Together with Frenchman Patrick, he is taken hostage by Serbs. Something gruesome unfolds. Suus goes to Syria in search of Miriam because she can't get in touch with her anymore. Max asks his sister Carla for help, but she refuses. When Frans comes home, his family is waiting for him. Frans will never tell them what happened.

2001. Max travels to Syria. Miriam tells him how Suus has been plagued her whole life by guilt over a secret she carried with her. Max is stunned. Father Kick is suffering from dementia. Frans is plagued by nightmares about the war. Charlie is a rebellious, pot-smoking teenager who is always with her best friend Hicham. After the 9/11 attacks, Charlie gets into yet another conflict with her mother.

2005. Charlie has no idea what to do with herself and her life. She also misses her grandfather. Max reconnects with Hans after years. Frans sees Charlie struggling with herself and her parents and gives her the key to his house; he's hardly ever there anyway. When Charlie seems to disappear, her mother searches everywhere and eventually ends up at Frans' house. Carla draws the wrong conclusion.