Maria Mercedes, a young woman abandoned by her mother and neglected by her alcoholic father, supports her siblings by working in the streets of Mexico City.

Jorge Luis, haunted by his wife’s murder on their wedding day, is deeply pessimistic, while Digna, highly religious and inexperienced in love, struggles with fear and insecurity.

After moving into the del Olmo household, María falls for Jorge Luis, who is controlled by his manipulative mother, Malvina.

At a high-society party hosted by Sebastian Ordoñes, who tries to seduce María, Jorge Luis becomes jealous and enchanted by her transformation.

However, María escapes and hides with Doña Filo, a friend from her poor days, until Jorge Luis convinces the police to stop pursuing her.

Jorge Luis permanently ends Mistica's interference after exposing her false claim that he fathered her child, which is actually her husband Sebastian's.

Rosario, however, reacts with anger and resentment until Rodolfo Mancilla, her boss and Magnolia's husband, agrees to embrace all of them as his stepchildren.

This reconciliation helps the sisters make peace, and Rosario accepts the courtship of Ricardo, a younger friend of Jorge Luis, without conflict.

A Philippine remake aired on ABS-CBN from October 7, 2013 to January 24, 2014 as part of Primetime Bida evening block starring Jessy Mendiola (as Maria Mercedes Alegre), Jake Cuenca (as Luis Sancuevas), and Jason Abalos (as Clavio Mondejar).