Alfonso had left Paulina for Matilde. Matilde knew that Alfonso wanted her for her money, but felt one day he would be able to return her love. When she is seriously injured in an automobile accident, her parents reveal this to Alfonso at the hospital and he reflects on the suffering he had caused the two women in his life. Matilde miraculously recovers and is convinced that Alfonso will return to marry her, but her parents warn her not to get her hopes up.