Cadenas de amargura

After the accident that killed her parents, little Cecilia must go live with her aunts, Evangelina and Natalia, both single and very different. Cecilia loves Natalia like a mother, while Evangelina brings her fear. Evangelina is always looking to break the young girl's optimism and resents the young girl.

After a time jump, Cecilia grows up and is on the brink of turning 18. Her neighbor, Sofia, has become her best friend. Sofia wishes to be like any other girl and have Cecilia as her best friend, but Evangelina always tries to prevent Cecilia from having fun. Meanwhile, Natalia notices Evangelina's mistreatment but does nothing but watch as Cecilia suffers because she also fears the strong character of Evangelina.

Meanwhile Sofia has her own issues as she has an estranged father. He abandoned her and her mother for another woman, which causes disdain from Evangelina who disapproves of her neighbors. Both Cecilia and Sofia find love throughout the story.

Sofia falls for a good, noble man named Gerardo, who has just finished his studies and now works in a candy store. He had the option to work in his father's ceramic factory but declines the offer. Meanwhile, Cecilia meets Joaquin, a young accountant, who happens to be friends with Gerardo, as well as work with him. Joaquin falls for Cecilia who doesn't reciprocate his feelings but still they become a couple.

Furthermore, she starts to think about her future and which university she should go to with the money her parents left her. Evangelina discovers the secret courtship between Cecilia and Joaquin and begins to devise a plan to end the relationship. Joaquin, not knowing what he's against, asks for Cecilia's hand in marriage; but Evangelina poisons him, ending any happiness between Cecilia and him.

Cecilia begins to think she will never leave her aunt's home and considers herself a prisoner. Cecilia decides to continue her university plans but Evangelina will not tolerate her having a bright future and tells her, her father left no inheritance for her. She begins searching for clues and soon discovers her real heritage.

Evangelina tries to murder her by pushing her down the stairs, but she manages to injure herself badly instead. Fighting for her life, she is visited by a local parish named Father Julio. Another part of the story is Gerardo and Cecilia slowly falling in love and having to confess their secret to Sofia, while trying not to hurt her as they both care for Sofia.

Julio is a pivotal point as he was Natalia's lover before Evangelina separated them out of jealousy. She made Julio believe Natalia had married another man, while telling Natalia she'd received news via an anonymous telegram that Julio had died.

Julio is actually alive; he is devastated by the news of Natalia being married so he decides to become a priest. Natalia soon discovers she is pregnant; and, on Evangelina's advice, gives the child to her brother and his wife. The child given away turns out to be Cecilia.

The presence of Julio becomes the main trigger to break Evangelina's bitterness and hatred, who after murdering Natalia, is out to ruin Cecilia. Cecilia is unaware of this and just wants a happy life with Gerardo at her side.

• Cadenas de amargura at IMDb