As a child, Maria Luísa had a difficult childhood in Madeira because of her mother. She is not free to do as she pleases.
Maria Luísa remains in preventive detention in Tires. In her cell, she recalls how 28 years ago she arrived in Lisbon by boat, assuming the identity of her dead brother.
Otávio has worked his way up under false identities and the police seem to be aware of this. Not all clients are satisfied with him. At Artur's carnival party, Otávio meets Jacinta, with whom he gets on well. She is also being questioned in court.
Jacinta now knows that Otávio was born as a woman, which causes tension. A neighbour friend of Otávio and Jacinta is seriously ill and asks Otávio to invest his savings so that his wife can have a carefree old age.
Jacinta celebrates her birthday in Alenquer accompanied by Otávio, his friends and Beatriz, his beautiful and seductive goddaughter who has just arrived from London.
On discovering her companion's betrayal, Jacinta decides to hand Otávio over to the police.