 It is the 19th Century, a time of profound romanticism. Challenging the rules of the aristocracy to which she belongs, Matilde Peñalver y Beristain, falls in love with Adolfo Solís, an army soldier with no fortune; trusting that her father - fair and kind - will let her marry him. But her mother Augusta is determined to force Matilde to marry a rich man in order to save the family from bankruptcy. Manuel Fuentes Guerra is the perfect candidate. He is a honorable and handsome young man who has just inherited a vast fortune. Augusta ignores that Manuel is the illegitimate son of Joaquin Fuentes Guerra, a powerful landlord who raped a poor town girl, and only months ago recognized Manuel as his son. Using all kinds of intrigues, the arrogant Augusta and her son Humberto, send Adolfo to prison, and make Matilde believe that he is married and has children. Overwhelmed and despaired, Matilde surrenders to her mother s pressure and agrees to marry Manuel, especially after she learns that he has paid the family s debts. Adolfo escapes from jail and immediately goes to look for his beloved Matilde, who has just married Manuel. Desperate, Adolfo manages to secretly speak with Matilde and to clarify the misunderstandings. Swearing they will love each other forever, they decide to run away, but Manuel discovers them. Deeply hurt, Manuel is not willing to give her up; he takes her to his ranch in the countryside where they consummate the marriage. Matilde s life in the house is tedious and bitter. She does not love her husband, and besides, she has to put up with Antonia, the former administrator s daughter, who is in love with Manuel. Meanwhile, Adolfo, after an intense and frantic search, finds Matilde and intending to take her away, pretends to be the new ranch administrator. Manuel, ignoring Adolfo s real identity, sympathizes with him and gives him a special, friendly treatment. In spite of the situation, Adolfo has to admit that Manuel is an honest, noble and fair man. At that point, Manuel and Matilde discover that they have been victims of Augusta s and Humberto s deceit. As time goes by, the subtle attentions, the glances full of passion and Manuel s avid desire, end up conquering the heart of Matilde. Suddenly one day, she realizes that the love she felt for Adolfo has disappeared, and that in its place has come a new, more intense feeling, a real love towards her husband. Full of grief, Matilde tells Adolfo the truth. Although she does not want to hurt him, her love does not belong to him anymore. Heartbroken, Adolfo accepts his reality and leaves the ranch the same day Matilde announces to her husband that she is pregnant. But the couple s happiness does not last long. Manuel discovers who his new administrator was, and in an instant everything falls apart. Matilde s pleas and explanations cannot convince Manuel, he feels betrayed once again and cannot forgive her. Driven by his anger Manuel doubts his paternity and throws Matilde out of the ranch. Later, he tries to forget her with Antonia, starting a compromising relationship that will later make more difficult his reconciliation with Matilde. They love each other intensely in spite of the separation, but they will have to face conflicts and intrigues before they can be together and live happily forever.