is instant family based on a true story

Ellie Devin, once the cherished eldest daughter of the wealthy Wilcox family, discovers she’s actually the fourth daughter of the Devin family. Driven by blood ties, she seeks out her real brothers, only to face cold rejection. They despise her, and the adopted daughter, Fiona Devin, frames her at every turn. Instead of defending Ellie, her brothers force her to kneel in the rain, refusing to listen. Sick and drenched, she begs to be let inside, but only Fiona emerges, mocking her cruelly before pushing her down the stairs. Left abandoned overnight, Ellie wakes with a new resolve. She fights back when falsely accused again, declaring she will no longer bow to the Devin family. Stunned, they watch as she walks away. This time, Ellie is determined to reclaim her place in the Wilcox family, where she truly belongs.

The renowned businesswoman Freya retired and went into seclusion after her company became the largest enterprise in the city and went public. She adopted three children, including Wendy. After the three graduated from college, Freya planned to reveal her true identity to them. However, she suffered an unexpected brain hemorrhage. During her illness, Wendy stood by her side, working hard to save money for medical expenses. After Freya recovered, she helped Wendy solve various challenges.

Wen Ruyi, the abandoned illegitimate daughter of the marquis' household, unexpectedly returns home after years away. To the world, she's just a substitute bride for her perfect, legitimate sister. But beneath the surface, she carries the weight of a darker purpose—seeking justice for her mother's death. As the vibrant capital buzzes with intrigue, the culprits behind her mother's tragedy begin to reveal themselves, one by one. With her heart torn between the past and the future, how will she decide what path to take?

Joni Holloway is a well-known philanthropist and female entrepreneur in Hastax. When she was on the brink of death, her daughter-in-law, Miranda Murray, appeared. It was then that Joni realized she had been cheated by Miranda. Her son, Karl, was put in prison, and the Holloway family was in ruins. All of this was schemed by Miranda, who wanted to take over the Holloway family. Realizing all of this, Joni felt deeply regretful. Joni swore that if there were a next life, she would protect her good daughter-in-law, Janette. When Joni woke up again, she found herself back three years ago.

After the devastating earthquake, Susan Lewis lost her left arm while shielding her children. Her third son, Ash, went missing, and her eldest son and second daughter promised to honor and care for her. However, over twenty years later, they broke their word and tried to force Susan out of their lives. At this moment, Ash, now the CEO of the Stone Group, unexpectedly reunited with his mother, who had been cast aside.

Leon Johnson had been working when he suddenly collapsed. After being diagnosed with cancer and given only three months to live, he decided to keep the diagnosis a secret from his wife, Rachel, not wanting to burden her. That evening, Rachel insisted he accompany investors for a drinking session that left him vomiting blood. Despite his condition, Rachel was constantly defending her first love, Yosef Lloyd. Leon managed to land a major contract and, excited about his success, rushed home, only to find Rachel feeding Yosef porridge, which sparked a heated argument. When Leon vented his frustrations to Rachel, she stormed out and climbed into a car with the drunk Yosef. In a tragic accident, Yosef crashed the car and killed Rachel's mother. Leon took his mother-in-law to the hospital, but the delay in getting there led to her death. The loss of his mother-in-law, who had always treated him like a son, hit Leon hard. But when he revealed the truth to Rachel, the wife he had once loved deeply refused to believe him, accusing him of lying.

In the 1990s, Trenton Zoller, the director of Windi Factory, was suddenly diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. Feeling disheartened by his wife Madelyn's cold violence, Trenton refused the doctor's proposed treatment plan and decided to conceal his illness. He resolved to help the factory undergo reorganizing before losing all memory, ensuring the workers would not lose their jobs. Eventually, he planned to pass away with dignity once his memory faded completely. Misunderstood by his wife and the factory workers, Trenton had to sadly depart as his factory reorganization plan was misconstrued. Madelyn, upon learning the truth, was consumed with remorse, left only with Trenton's ashes. A decade passed in the blink of an eye, until one day Madelyn saw a person in the newspaper who bore an uncanny resemblance to Trenton Zoller...

When Melody Lowe was young, she saved Michael Pond, leaving a scar on her face. Hoping he would recognize her, she was heartbroken when he mistook Sharon Bright for his savior. Despite her love for him, she was misunderstood, but they eventually married—only because she offered him financial support during his lowest point. Melody devotes herself to their marriage, but their relationship remains cold. After being diagnosed with cancer, she passes away shortly after—only to be reborn. Determined to fight back, she seeks revenge against Michael and his mistress. Just when she thinks she can find happiness with her child, she discovers that it is her daughter who saved her life. Overwhelmed by loss, she finds solace in someone who truly loves her, while a little kid begins to cultivate on a distant mountain.

Jeremy Wilson's sister, Sophia Wilson, returned to her homeland to attend her brother's engagement ceremony. However, Daisy Rogers, Jeremy's fiancée, mistook Sophia for a mistress and subjected her to public humiliation and assault. After the truth was revealed, not only was Daisy's misconduct exposed, but it also came to light that her pregnancy was a fabrication, and she was conspiring with Jeremy's best friend, Zane Grey, to eliminate Jeremy and seize control of the corporation. In the end, Zane was handed over to the police, Daisy's family faced punishment, and Jeremy and Sophia gained a profound insight into the significance of integrity when sizing up others.

Miles, a singer from a humble background, lost his sight three years ago while saving his girlfriend from a fire. His girlfriend Jane and sister Hedy asked him to be a ghost singer for the singer York, who promised Miles he would help him debut. However, on the day York became a superstar, he broke his promise. Miles stood up to accuse York of lip-syncing but was knocked out by his girlfriend and sister, leading to his unfortunate death. In his second life, Miles was determined not to be used by others again. After regaining his sight, he exposed York's lip-syncing scandal at York's concert and showcased his own talent. He caught the attention of major players in the showbiz and signed a lucrative contract, stepping into the ranks of superstars!

On a dark and stormy night, Mia found her mother killed in the study. Jack, her father, handed her over to the police as a suspect without giving her a chance to explain. With the help of her brother Daniel, Mia was bailed out of jail and hired a private detective, Edward, to investigate her mother's death. As the investigation progressed, Mia discovered a huge conspiracy behind her mother's death, and even her own father and Edward were involved......

Blaze was the revered Warrior Goddess of the Northern Realm. After completing her mission, she attended her sister Anna's engagement party but was looked down upon for still wearing her task uniform. Anna stood up for Blaze, who then used her strength to punish Anna's fiancé and his family. After that, Blaze introduced Anna to the worthy suitor, Zane. One day, Blaze and Anna unexpectedly encountered their parents, who abandoned them years ago. Blaze decided to take action on Anna's birthday, aiming to make their neglectful parents regret their choices for a lifetime.

Sue went missing in her childhood but was later brought back by her biological parents to the Spears family, where she was bullied to death by the family's adopted daughter, Ruby. After being reborn, Sue used her memories from her past life to accumulate wealth by buying property and gold, winning a competition with her original songs, and successfully creating a short video platform. Subsequently, she fought back against the Spears family's malicious targeting, exposing Ruby's schemes, and severed ties with the Spears family, leaving them filled with regret.

Hugh sacrificed his chance at the National Medical Research Council to save his wife Quinn, who had late-stage liver cancer. He sold family heirlooms to fund her treatment, but Quinn used the money to buy a car for her first love, James. She became obsessed with their past together, ignoring her son Luke's feelings. Hugh and Luke gave her three chances to change, but she refused. Finally, Hugh joined the National Physician Program and left with Luke. After he departed, Quinn regretted her actions, but it was too late to make amends.

Globally renowned hacker Zero, Brian, remained hidden in his fiancée Mary's company to repay a favor. When Mary, disdainful of his rural mother, secretly severed ties with her under Brian's name, he sought divorce and resignation. Despite Mary's pleas for forgiveness, post-IPO, her decision to fire Brian led to the company's downfall.

The richest woman in the world, Sarah, returns to the US to attend the wedding ceremony of her only son, Teddy But she‘s mistaken by Teddy's fiancée Lucinda as Teddy’s mistress, so Lucinda brutalizes Sarah, insults her, and takes indecent photos of her. Until Teddy arrives and furiously yells：Sarah is my mom!

Lynn, a girl born in a remote mountainous region, worked diligently to gain admission to a prestigious university. However, her father, who favored sons over daughters, refused to support her aspirations and even went so far as to tear up her acceptance letter. In contrast, her mother sold her blood to help fund Lynn's education. Five years later, Lynn achieved remarkable success and envisioned building factories in her hometown to uplift all the villagers. However, the villagers mistakenly perceived her as a foot massage worker. In reality, she was the CEO of Honor Group.

Natalie was once the Parson family's cherished daughter, but her world was shattered when Monica was unmasked as the true heiress. Manipulated by Monica, she was framed for their grandmother's murder and cast out by her family to a hellish reform school. Two years later, she was released, only to be forced into a marriage with a notorious alcoholic playboy. As the truth about her past and the horrors of that "school" come to light, Natalie watches everyone with a cold stare. Her storm of revenge has just begun.