The telenovela starts with the celebration of the 20th anniversary of Manuela Sáenz (Ana María Trujillo) and Germán Rico (Luigy Aicardi) marriage; they have two daughters, Andrea (Margarita Muñoz) and Juliana (Luz del Sol Neisa). As the party goes on, Germán and his secret lover, Catalina (Martha Restrepo) --who turns out to be Manuela's best friend--, decide to escape together. When Manuela realizes this, it is too late: Germán has abandoned and ruined her and their daughters, since he had some debts and made obscure movements with the finances of the company he was running. Manuela decides to rebuild her life. She meets Sansón (Mijaíl Mulkay), who comes to take possession of one of the houses he bought from Germán, while still owing him. This is why Manuela ends up sharing the house with Sansón's family.