After a chance encounter on the elevator, the lives of Mary Ann, a widowed English teacher, and Pedro, a recently divorced man, intersect against the hot backdrop of Rio de Janeiro.

The story of the rivalry between the twin sisters Ruth and Raquel takes place in the fictional Pontal D'Areia, on the coast of Rio de Janeiro. They have very different personalities. Ruth is sweet, calm and has a good heart. Raquel, on the other hand, is selfish, aggressive and mean.