Abused and neglected by her wheelchair-bound husband, a devoted wife and stepmother begins an illicit affair with her husband's sexy live in secretary. Federico Brandi is an accomplished composer still grieving the death of his first wife. Chiara was the love of Federico's life, and after marrying Marta he begins to suspect that she only stays with him out of pity. As hard as Marta works to be a good wife and support Federico's son Marcello in realizing his dream of becoming a jockey, her husband offers nothing but a heavy hand and venomous insults. Federico believes his son is a hopeless dreamer, and his wife a filthy whore. When Federico's live in secretary Giorgia (Loredana Romito) sees the way that Marta is treated, her attraction to her boss' wife grows and the two women seek solace in a forbidden embrace.