The central story is a beautiful love story. It is the story of Carlota, the daughter of the Vimieiro Counts (who are broke), who spend their vacations at Vidago Palace every year. The previous year, Carlota was betrothed to César, the son of some very wealthy Portuguese emigrants in Brazil who were also vacationing at Vidago Palace. The wedding is set for the last day of vacation that same year. The problem is that Carlota does not love César, but Pedro, the son of the Vidago Palace's receptionist, who also met on the same vacation of the previous year and who, for reasons unknown to everyone except Carlota's mother, left Portugal and is fighting in the Spanish Civil War alongside the Popular Front. But fate causes Carlota to find Pedro again in August 1936, in dramatic situations, and finally discovers the truth. From there, everything is called into question...

August 2, 1936. Before an elegant audience, the Vidago Palace golf course is inaugurated by His Excellency the President of the Republic, Marechal Óscar Carmona. However, Pedro remains inanimate, in the place where he was slaughtered the previous night by the Spanish Civil Guard. His escape companions, Pepe, Dolores and Xoán, are convinced that he has died. Before returning to Spain, they decide to go to Vidago to inform Pedro's family of what happened. Inspector Lopes watches them from a window. Carlota, who ignores all these recent events, ends up confessing herself to her best friend, São, the sister of César Augusto. She tells her everything: that she and Pedro are in love but that he went to the Spanish war without even saying goodbye to her. That same night, during the gala, César Augusto tries to persuade Carlota to anticipate the wedding night, but is interrupted by Rosinha, Pedro's younger sister, who appears tearful and reveals to Carlota that Pedro died. Carlota is in shock. Unable to think, run without destination...

Carlota discovers Pedro prostrate in the hut, wounded and delirious, semi-unconscious. He can only say, with difficulty, "help me, Dolores." Carlota, with the help of her parents, take care of Pedro. Meanwhile, Xóan and Dolores, who managed to escape from the border guards, arrive at the Vidago Palace. Carlota is intrigued to hear the name Dolores and realize that it is she whom Pedro called in his delirium. Alberto tells the two fugitives that Pedro is alive. They are happy, but the news they bring are diverse: they suspect that Pepe was taken prisoner. Pepe was, indeed, taken prisoner and stands before the cold and relentless Commissioner Lopes. Under torture, the boy finally confesses that Dolores Câncio, the well-known Republican, was part of the group that tried to escape from Spain to Portugal. Pedro is recovering physically, but his heart continues to be sore for what he believes to have been a Carlota's betrayal. They were in love and determined to flee together, but suddenly she returned to Lisbon without any warning, leaving, as a farewell, only a letter ending the relationship. It is the mother of Pedro, Júlia, who tells him that if he is still alive it is thanks to Carlota. Pedro is confused. If she doesn't want him, why did she care so much about him? He makes a decision...

Pedro, dressed as an employee of the Vidago Palace, enters Carlota's room at night. The two have many explanations to ask each other. But Livia's arrival prevented them from speaking. They agreed to meet at the cabin the next day. On leaving, Pedro crosses with the Perliquitete sisters, who recognize him and are scandalized, because they knew about Pedro and Carlota's relationship. The sisters are in fleas to tell the Countess what happened. The next day Carlota and Pedro meet in the hut. The two are hurt with each other. Carlota, because when she had to return to Lisbon, she wrote a passionate letter to Pedro, of which she had no answer, and when she returned to Vidago she learned only that Pedro had gone to fight for Spain. Pedro, because when he read the letter, Carlota told him that everything had been a mistake and put an end to his novel. As they talk to each other about it, they realize that the letter Carlota wrote and the letter Pedro received aren't the same. What has happened, then? Carlota finally realizes everything. It was her mother who changed the letters. When the sisters Perliquitetes are almost telling the Countess that they saw Peter the night before, Carlota arrives and confronts her mother by showing her the fake letter. Lívia and Carlota argue. Carlota tells her mother that she is not going to marry César Augusto. Lívia tries as she can, to hide the situation. But Carlota is determined. That night she goes with Pedro with the popular party of Vidago. She feels free. The problem is that César Augusto is there and he sees Carlota and Pedro kissing. César Augusto loses his temper...

The Counts of Vimieiro have just discovered that Carlota didn't sleep in the hotel. Carlota and Pedro, in the hut, are dawning in each other's arms. For a moment they convince themselves that nothing and no one can separate them again. But fate has for them another test. Pedro has to return to Spain to help Dolores. He assures Carlota that he will return the next day, and that they will begin a new life together. César Augusto has just told his family the betrayal of his betrothed. Benvinda de Fátima wants explanations. César Augusto tells his parents that marriage under these circumstances is impossible. But Benvinda's desire to enter high society is so great that she is willing to forget Carlota's slip. And Bonifácio insists: either César marries Carlota or is disinherited. Something especially serious considering that César Augusto doesn't stop accumulating gambling debts. That night, Pedro, Dolores and Xóan participate in an action that goes wrong and Pedro and Dolores end up being arrested by Inspector Lopes. The next day, Carlota packs her bags and goes to the cabin, as agreed. But who appears is Xóan, who tells him the truth. By chance, the Perliquitete sisters hears Inspector Lopes to comment that Pedro was arrested and could be sentenced to death. They immediately notify the Countess. Lívia is elated. She has just figured out how to get Carlota to marry César Augusto as planned. She explains her plan to Benvinda de Fátima, who is also euphoric. The two will talk to Inspector Lopes. Lívia then talks to Carlota. She tells her that Carlota can save Pedro from death. How? Marrying to César Augusto. Carlota accedes. Pedro and Dolores are in prison. They believe that their end has come. Dolores opens her heart to Pedro. Without making him predict anything, she passionately kisses him...

Pedro doesn't even believe Dolores kissed him. He makes it clear to her that his heart belongs to Carlota. They are interrupted by Inspector Lopes who informs them of something that surprises them: Pedro has friends who will be able to set him free. Pedro, instinctively, says he's not going anywhere without Dolores. Lopes, in an apparent good mood, grant him the wish. In fact, the Inspector's plans are different. After accepting a lot of money from Benvinda de Fátima to free Pedro, Inspector Lopes orders his subaltern Sergeant Fernandes to shoot Pedro and Dolores as soon as they're released, so as not to leave evidence of their corruption. On the eve of the wedding day, Lopes and César Augusto talk. César , upset, says that if he catches Pedro, he kills him with his own hands. Lopes reveals that this will happen the next day, because there are already those who have decided to do it for him. César becomes pensive. The wedding day finally arrives. In the Church full of guests, Carlota and César Augusto stand before their families and the priest. Will Carlota give the "yes" to César Augusto, in order to save Pedro?