Clara Rosa is the illegitimate daughter of a wealthy landowner in Santa Barbara del Zulia and a peasant named Rosalinda who was presumed dead from drowning in the river. Emiliano her father refused to recognize Clara Rosa as his child, and she grows up into a beautiful woman full of illusions. Her bitter and poor aunt Vincenta raised her up in the slums of Caracas together with her son and daughter. Due to their poor situation, Clara Rosa is forced to earn a living as a street peddler though she dreams of having a better life for herself. Meanwhile, Clara's father has become an important political figure, though his personal life is in shambles after his wife Montserrat leaves him for his political enemy Lisandro. Emiliano and his wife Eugenia have raised up his dead brother's sons as his own: Valentin and Francisco. Valentin meets Linda Prado who tricks him into marriage by getting pregnant. Clara Rosa and Valentin will meet after an uprising occurs in the city.[2]