Clara, daughter of Count Vittorio Grandi, is raised in the countryside by the farmers of the San Leonardo estate, far from her father who blames her for the loss of his wife and who wants nothing to do with a female child.

Clara decides to run away with her childhood friend Matteo, but on the night designated for the escape a tragic accident prevents Matteo from showing up for the appointment. Count Guido Fossà takes care of making Clara smile again.

Guido does not want to know anything about Clara, a wife who was forced upon him, and continues to spend his nights at the café concert, ignoring her. In addition, Gerard, the friend who came from the past, continues to threaten to reveal his secrets.

Clara is unable to prevent Matteo's dismissal, also because Guido, jealous, does not give her his support. She then decides to secretly finance Matteo's studies in Agronomy.

Clara manages to carry the pregnancy to completion and gives birth to a baby girl who is named Aurora. She then convinces Matteo to marry Anita and to recognize the child as his, thus keeping them safe from his cousin.

When reading the will, it is discovered that Vittorio has named his niece Aurora as his sole heir, and that Clara will administer the estate and assets until her daughter comes of age.

Guido returns from Bruges after obtaining funding from Baroness De Blemont to open his silk factory, but soon discovers that the contract, drawn up without telling his partner Ludovico, is a trap.

Clara begins to suspect that her husband is cheating on her with Baroness De Blemont but Guido, when questioned, denies everything. As their trust in each other seems to be eroding, Clara begins to feel increasingly weak.

Clara, interned in the clinic for the mentally ill, realizes that she has been poisoned and runs away. In an attempt to reach Matteo, she is chased and ends up unconscious in the waters of the Adige. Everyone thinks she committed suicide.

Clara Grandi continues to investigate her husband's past and secretly plots her revenge.

Now convinced of Guido's guilt, Clara brings to light evidence that pushes the police to investigate him for inducing suicide and to also suspect him for Ludovico's death.