Helena is a beautiful and determined young woman who lives in the peaceful city of Vila Feliz, Minas Gerais, although she has never hidden her desire to move to Rio de Janeiro and make progress in life, which has always been frowned upon by the other residents of the place, who always considered her inadequate and progressive, making the girl the target of malicious gossip. During a brief visit, the businessman from Rio de Janeiro Álvaro meets the young woman and the two fall in love at first sight before their departure. He is engaged to the spoiled Débora, a wealthy and much younger girl - only 19 years old - who has a sickly jealousy and neurotic attacks. In search of a better life, Helena marries agronomist Mário, who spends time in the city to elaborate some studies, which causes a disgust in Zé Diogo, a poet who has always been in love with her. However, the relationship lasts only a few months after the boy finds out about the girl's false pregnancy to try to satisfy him.