Mariel (Lady Lee), the illegitimate daughter of Shirley (Gina Alajar), has been the center of contention since her birth when Shirley's husband Ben (Julio Diaz) sells Mariel to child-trafficker Adul (Vivian Velez). Because of an immigration impediment, Adul consigns Mariel to the care of her cousin Jaime (Eddie Gutierrez) and nursemaid Dolor (Janice De Belen), the midwife at Mariel's birth. But Jaime's wife Laila (Charo Santos) doesn't want to keep the baby because the sight of an infant reminds her of her own stillborn child, and Dolor's boyfriend Ramir is jealous of the love and attention Dolor gives the baby. Just when Laila has accepted Mariel, Adul returns to claim her adopted now-grown daughter, but Dolor inadvertently learns of Adul's wicked plan to sell Mariel for a large amount.
