Valentín's parents are murdered by criminals. Valentín is left in the care of his uncle Jorge, while his younger siblings, Antonio and Lucía, go to live with another uncle. Uncle Jorge treats young Valentín cruelly: he beats him brutally, exploits him, and forces him to eat scraps. As young adults, Valentín, Antonio, and Lucía reunite on their parents' land, where they will live from then on. Uncle Jorge has died, but Valentín suffers nightmares and hallucinations in which his uncle continues to abuse him. Valentín falls in love with Andrea, marries her, and has a daughter, Elenita.