Onceuponatimeinpost-warRome:13-yearoldAurora,agiftedpianist,isthedaughterofValerio,abrilliantconductor.AfterAurora'smotherdied,ValeriohiredIrene,asinglemotheroftwogirls,torunthehousehold.ToAurora'sregrethedecidestomarryIrene.Oneday,Aurorahappenstomeettheboysnextdoor,FreddyandSebastian,thesonsofawealthyItalo-Austrianfamily.Freddyisaneasy-goingchap,thoughsometimesalittlebitarrogant.HisbrotherSebastianiskindandshy,withagreatabilitytolistentoandunderstandpeople,whichmakeshimwinAurora'sheart.However,Aurora'slifeisshatteredwhenherfathersuddenlydies.Irene,theunlovedstepmother,layshandsonthefamily'sassetsandturnsherlatehusband'svillaintoahotel.Auroraisunabletoclaimherrighttoinheritanceuntilher21stbirthday.Irenemakeshergiveupschoolingandpianoplaying.Instead,shehastoworkasamaidinthehotel.Irene'sowndaughters,LuciaandTeresina,nevermissoutonanopportunitytotantalizethepoorgirl.Yearslater,Aurorahasbecomeayoungwoman.Shesecretlyplaysthepianoonanimprovisedkeyboardonthewindowsill.Theemployeesofthehotelkeephercompanyandbecamehersurrogatefamily.