The Return

Gabriela Suárez is the only woman working in the San Pedro gold mine, where she has discovered safety failures that others ignore because of her gender. Antonia, the ruthless owner of the mine, wants her son Alejandro to take over the business. During a collapse, Gabriela and Alejandro become trapped underground.

Alejandro and Gabriela are rescued by Tomás. The miner's father is now wealthy and doesn't want her to risk herself in the mine anymore.

Tomas resigns from the San Pedro mine for good and bids Gabriela goodbye to prevent her from dying in another collapse. Gabriela returns to the mine to ask Alejandro for a job, and he accepts, unable to hide his feelings for her.

Antonia questions little David to find out who his father is. She also wants to investigate whether El Tigre has been stealing gold from her mine.

Irene and Alejandro make love while Gabriela dreams of spending a passionate night with her boss. Accused by Antonia, Gabriela bravely defends her father, and Fernando continues to be tormented and seeks comfort from his mother.

The Beltrán brothers can't wait to be close to Gabriela. Alejandro invites her to dinner, and when they get back home, he can't hold back and kisses her.

Antonia realises that David could be her grandson. Alejandro asks Gabriela to be his girlfriend in front of David and El Tigre Suarez.

Alejandro and Gabriela make love and she confesses she was raped; he has helped her overcome her trauma. Alejandro defends his future wife against his mother, the miners, and everyone else. Antonia considers Gabriela her nemesis.

Alejandro and Gabriela plan to leave San Pedro and Tigre supports them. Gabriela is surprised. Alejandro does not accept his godfather's advice and keeps his distance from him. Antonia tries to bribe Gabriela. Fernando finds David.

Fernando is about to tell David that he is his father, but he is stopped by Macario. Valentina goes to live with her grandparents for a while.

Antonia seduces David to manipulate him and gain the upper hand. Gabriela faces jealousy and distrust as emotions intensify between the characters, and alliances begin to shift in San Pedro.

Antonia and Gabriela defend David. Inocencia dies in Gaston's arms. Irene calls Fernando and tells him about the wedding; he goes crazy and escapes from the rehab centre. Fernando confronts Alejandro and confesses that David is his son.

Upon learning that his brother is Gabriela's rapist, Alejandro hits Fernando, who denies the rape. The DNA test results arrive, confirming that Daniel is actually Fernando's son. Alejandro has begun doubting Gabriela.

Fernando asks for Gabriela's forgiveness, but Antonia manipulates him. A devastated Alejandro is furious and pulls away from Gabriela. Meanwhile, Antonia continues to scheme against her enemies as the tensions in San Pedro grow.

David discovers the truth about his past and his connection to Fernando. Gabriela struggles with the revelations, and Alejandro faces the consequences of the DNA results. Tensions continue to rise in San Pedro as relationships are tested.

Fernando goes to Gabriela's house to ask for forgiveness. Alejandro overhears the conversation and confirms that Gabriela was indeed raped. Gabriela files a rape complaint against Fernando with Prosecutor Villegas, but Irene's false testimony works against her.

Fernando continues to beg for Gabriela's forgiveness, while Alejandro listens. El Tigre tells Gabriela everything about the gold mine of El Chamuco.

Antonia orders Julia's death and makes it look like a suicide, turning everyone against Gabriela. El Tigre is tortured but refuses to reveal the location of the gold. Tensions in San Pedro del Oro escalate as Gabriela becomes the target of blame and hatred.

Fernando warns Gabriela about the danger she's exposed to due to her mother's intentions. Fernando also confronts Antonia, who finally achieves her goal. Tigre dies in Gabriela's arms, and Fernando is also inside the mine.

Gabriela is accused of murder and faces the consequences of Antonia's schemes. Antonia continues to manipulate events to her advantage. Tensions rise as alliances shift and the truth becomes harder to hide.

Gabriela must be protected; the townspeople want to lynch her. Alejandro learns that Gabriela is pregnant and doesn't believe he is the father. Antonia puts her plan into action - she will not only have her declared guilty but also insane.

David witnesses a scene from his mother under the effects of a drug given by Antonia. Alejandro doubts; Gabriela's behaviour is not normal.

Gabriela is savagely beaten in her cell and loses the baby. They make Alejandro believe that in her madness she caused her own abortion.

Gabriela tries to escape, but Antonia's men catch her. Alejandro fights to protect her, while Antonia continues to tighten her grip on San Pedro. Tensions rise as enemies close in on Gabriela's fate.

After injuring Gertrudis during a struggle, Gabriela manages to escape from El Paraíso. A truck driver drops her near San Pedro, where she reunites with her son. Alejandro tracks her down, but someone is following him. Gabriela is convinced that he betrayed her.

Gabriela is returned to the mental health institution. Antonia tries to win over David, but he keeps himself distant. Irene seduces Alejandro

Gertrudis tells Alejandro that Gabriela is a schizophrenic and the illness is incurable. Alejandro confirms to Irene that although they will get married, he still loves Gabriela. After the wedding, Irene goes to the sanatorium to torment Gabriela.

Irene brags to Gabriela about her marriage with Alejandro. David undergoes an emergency operation when his appendix bursts.

By order of Senator Villegas, Gabriela is released from isolation. Ricardo clashes with his father and also with Antonia. He is now determined to reopen the Gabriela Suárez case, with Alejandro's support.

Gabriela is deeply affected by the four years she spent in confinement. She meets Lucho for the first time. Although everyone is trying to help her, her health remains fragile.

Gaston has nowhere to go and becomes homeless. Constanza learns that her uncle has died and that she has inherited his enormous fortune.

Antonia recovers Ricardo's letter and orders Milagros's murder. After a heated argument, Gabriela starts to understand that Lucho is an ally.

El Paraiso goes up in flames and Gabriela frees Lucho from the catacomb. Max has told everyone the horrors suffered at the sanatorium.

In the midst of the fire at Paradise, Lucho and Gabriela save Constanza and the three of them run to safety. Alejandro thinks that Gabriela has died.

Gabriela appears before Gastón, Max and Francisca, but she still can't tell her son the truth. Max recovers the gold hidden in Lucía's grave and gives it to his sister. Constanza becomes ill and Gabriela promises she won't harm Ricardo.

Ricardo's jealousy awakens his manhood; Gabriela is about to be discovered by David and Alejandro; in view of the doubts, Antonia sends Macario to watch; Francisca suspects that Lucho got away with the gold.

Maximiliano sees Macario spying outside the Suarez household. Meanwhile, following Antonia's orders, Lagarto holds Gaston prisoner and tortures him.

Constanza manages to collect the inheritance, but later she succeeds in staging her own death. Ricardo is devastated. Aníbal tries to seize the inheritance. Gabriela tries to pay Lucho to leave, and in return he confesses his love to her.

Gabriela is moved by Lucho's gesture but warns him she can't love anyone. Gabriela starts her transformation into the new Patrona (e.g., Boss): Veronica Dants. Gastón arrives playing the role of standard bearer for the new lady.

Lucho insists but Gabriela will not speak about Alejandro with him; Alejandro receives an invitation to meet Verónica Dantés; the woman of power already awakens a sense of intrigue in everyone; Francisca decides to keep a low profile.

Valentina confesses to Alejandro her deep love for Max. Veronica arrives by helicopter to the party where her enemies are waiting, bedazzled by the opulence and her likeness to Gabriela. Antonia says she will unmask her.

Veronica conquers the Lobos with her beauty, power, and the possibility of doing business together. David flees the party, scared by the resemblance between Mrs. Dantés and his mother. Alejandro receives a tempting offer from La Patrona.

The night is filled with seduction between Verónica and Alejandro. David shows up before Verónica and tells her that she reminds him of his mother, whom he despises.

Veronica manages to sidetrack David. When he leaves, she succumbs to her emotions. The new Patrona has awakened everyone's interest and Antonia is furious seeing how everyone ignores her, including her lover.

Gabriela and Veronica go to war with each other as tensions rise in San Pedro; Antonia gains the upper hand in her schemes; David struggles with his loyalty and feelings.

Antonia and Veronica make peace after it is determined that the remains are those of Gabriela Suàrez. Ricardo confesses his impotence to Alejandro while complaining about the pain he has caused Patricia. Veronica orders Macario's release.

Antonia agrees to give Max a job. Meanwhile, Lucho tells Veronica that the identity of Gabriela's body has been confirmed.

Alejandro warns Valentina not to sign any document that his mother asks her to. Meanwhile, Prudencia is elected as the new president of the Club.

Veronica finds out that Patricia is Alejandro's lover, and is pained to realise she still has feelings for Alejandro. Julio confronts Lagarto.

Patricia tells Veronica that she always believed Gabriela was innocent. Antonia orders Prudencia's murder. Gastón complains to Constanza for having compromised the plans for revenge, but she reacts desperately because her son needs her. Veronica tells him she will soon be able to be with him.

Prudencia dies at the hands of the Lobos. Alejandro complains to his mother for keeping him under surveillance. Now that they live under the same roof, Max and Valentina enjoy an erotic rendezvous.

Veronica has an encounter with her son, David, at the cemetery. There, she hears about the great love the youngster felt for his grandfather, while Antonia demands absolute loyalty to her and not to the Suárez's. Antonia deceives Valentina.

Alejandro tries to investigate the connection between the Suárez's and the Chamuco mine. Antonia enjoys seeing that she was able to separate Maximiliano and Valentina. Veronica knows that Valentina will be the next victim. David really wants Cecilia.

Alejandro tries to investigate the Suárez family's connection to the Chamuco mine. Antonia unleashes her anger on Cecilia. David does not defend her, and Francisca takes her into her home. Verónica sends Gertrudis to hire all the staff for the new hospital.

Irene realises that Alejandro and Patricia are lovers, and tells Antonia. At the club, Valentina uses Alberto to make Maximiliano jealous. Alejandro learns that his daughter has leukemia and needs a bone marrow transplant.

Gertrudis is placed in a catacomb cell in The Fortress. Veronica tries to find out if Ricardo and Alejandro are half brothers; all family members are needed to find out whose bone marrow might be compatible with Lucía. Veronica and Alejandro kiss.

Gertrudis's disappearance worries the Lobos. Lagarto and Julio interrogate Veronica about Gertrudis. Max tells Valentina that he saw Antonia and Alberto kissing, but she doesn't believe him. Lucho and Alejandro face-off as rivals.

Veronica kisses Lucho and manages to keep him at The Fortress. Upon Alejandro's insistence, she admits that Lucho will be her next man. In his new position as the administrator of El Chamuco Mine, Alejandro fires Ramon Izquierdo. Lucho is jealous when he sees Veronica with Alejandro.

Antonia discovers that Ramón was with Lucho and is asking for him. Maximiliano alerts Gastón. Alejandro tells Veronica he loves her and she informs him of her engagement to Lucho. She tells him that she prefers a man who loves her for who she is.

Ricardo receives a call from Constanza and cannot hold back his tears. An anonymous letter reaches Gastón, and Verónica and Lucho warn him that it is a trap. Antonia plays with Alberto and then orders him to be brutally beaten.

Constanza tells Veronica that she is turning into a woman as cold as Antonia Guerra. Ricardo starts suspecting that the woman in the burqa might be his mother. Maximiliano is taken into custody as a suspect in Alberto's beating.

Max has an alibi, Valentina corroborates it. David visits his uncle in jail and they reconcile. Veronica comes before the moribund and, after enumerating her horrible crimes, reveals her true identity to Alberto.

Irene asks Alejandro to have another child with her. In hospital, Antonia cuts off the air supply to Alberto's lungs.

Ricardo tells Veronica that a witness came forward to testify against Maximiliano. He can do nothing to help Max; Francisca arrives to Veronica's house heartbroken. Lucho and Veronica's engagement is a fact.  David begins to suspect that Valentina is pregnant.

Ricardo and Patricia become closer and their passion grows stronger. Veronica goes to speak to The Lobos as an interested investor, explaining to Antonia that her Arab husband also had mines in the Emirates.

Constanza reunites with her son when Ricardo visits Veronica. Antonia accepts the partnership with Veronica. Aníbal informs Antonia that Ricardo has just declared war on them.

Lucho is jealous because Alejandro is still outside of the house waiting for Ricardo, who offers Veronica his help to bring the responsible party before the authorities. Patricia confesses to Ricardo that he and Alejandro are brothers. Veronica reveals her identity to Gertrudis.

Antonia denies to Alejandro that he is Aníbal Villegas's son; David hears the entire conversation. Veronica tells Julio that she has evidence against him. Alejandro complains to Antonia for having destroyed his life.

Veronica returns the child to Lucecita. Alejandro visits Gabriela's tomb and Veronica hears him telling her how much he misses and loves her.

Julio dies in the arms of his daughter, Patricia. Macario gives Chacon money and recommends that he leaves town immediately.

Verónica doesn't want Alejandro to leave the town. He takes the opportunity to tell her once again that he loves her. On a special mission to San Pedro, Commissioner Rodrigo Balmaceda arrives to confront Antonia.

Verónica meets Balmaceda, the new police commissioner, and offers him clues on Antonia's whereabouts. Lucho is afraid that the same commissioner who sent him to jail will uncover everything. Antonia is led away from her ranch in handcuffs.

Alejandro counsels David and asks him whether he is in love with Cecilia; he helps him ask for her hand in matrimony. Veronica and Lucho are about to make love. Antonia dreams of an evening of passion with Balmaceda.

Balmaceda visits Gaston and questions him about his relationship with Lucho Vampa. Rodrigo starts an operation to capture Lucho. Veronica manages to delay him in getting out of The Fortress. Patricia interrogates Veronica. Irene finds a flask of poison in Antonia's bathroom cabinet.

Verónica distracts the police by leaving with two Arab women while Lucho manages to escape. Alejandro enters Veronica's bedroom and scolds her; either she makes her men kick him out, or he stays in her life forever.

Alejandro and Gabriela make love passionately while Alejandro's mobile phone receives calls from home in silent mode. Lagarto fakes surrendering to Rodrigo but shoots him and, in the process, is fatally wounded by shots fired by Antonia.

Lagarto manages to escape in Rodrigo's car, but then crashes it. Rodrigo wakes up in hospital, and is surprised by Antonia kissing him. Unable to see his daughter, Alejandro gets drunk. Lucho turns into his protector.

Francisca looks for Estrella to make her confess she lied to send Maximiliano to jail. Unable to see his daughter, Alejandro gets drunk while Lucho turns into his protector. Rodrigo tells Antonia he likes her and kisses her again.

Lucho saved Lucía; he complains to Irene about her neglect and proposes she use the same weapon the little girl used to kill Alejandro.

Verónica asks Irene not to report her if she lets Alejandro visit his daughter. Verónica ends it with Alejandro after feeling that she has turned into a monster just like Antonia, capable of anything in order to exact vengeance.

Maximiliano is beaten up by Macario and Lucas, but Alejandro intervenes and defends him. Lucho looks after Lucia when she has a fever. Rodrigo is caught by Alejandro near Antonia's bedroom; Rodrigo tries an excuse but Alejandro seems to know what is going on.

Ricardo and Rodrigo know that Gertrudis's testimony won't count due to her mental state. She predicts to Alejandro that he will be the reason why the two Patronas will destroy the entire village. Rodrigo succumbs to temptation.

Veronica and Antonia continue fueling tensions; Gertrudis is confessing. Gastón tells Rodrigo he believes it was Antonia who ordered the mine explosion that killed his wife. Alejandro finds Lucho's shirt at Irene's house and confronts her about it, but she lies and says it belonged to her late father.

Veronica tells Rodrigo that his relationship with Antonia could jeopardise the objectivity of his investigations. Cecilia takes a pregnancy test. David asks her to get rid of the kid. Veronica finds out and slaps her son.

Alejandro tells Rodrigo that the witness is about to arrive. Verónica tries to calm him. Antonia sends someone to attack Rodrigo, hitting him with a stone. In the hospital, Anibal screams to attract the guards' attention so that they can capture Lucho. Cecilia and David attend their first ultrasound scan.

Irene and Lucho make love. González goes to the La Dorada ranch to arrest Lucas. Irene complains to Lucho for taking advantage of her. He must admit that the rendezvous was piping hot. Alejandro sees Lucho's mug shot at the police station.

Verónica sets in motion a new plan: Max presents a serious complaint against Antonia and Aníbal for having coerced them to hand over the Chamuco lands. Francisca agrees to marry Gastón. Alejandro discovers that Lucho is the famous ghost.

Ricardo attempts to end things with Ines, but begins to see his wife's dark and perturbed side, while Patricia suspects Ricardo of infidelity.

Constanza calls Anibal over the phone. Meanwhile, Veronica decides to visit Alejandro at his hotel; not as Veronica Dantes, but as Gabriela Suarez.

Alejandro expresses his love to Gabriela Suárez. She tells him about her odyssey. Antonia hears when Valentina tells Cecilia that next week she will marry Max. They make great plans for the future, unaware there is a dark cloud approaching.

Antonia verbally abuses Cecilia. Patricia confronts Ines for her involvement with Ricardo. Antonia learns that Irene was hiding Lucho in her house. Lucía is sick. Lucho is arrested while searching for Irene and the little girl. Max confesses to Valentina that Veronica is Gabriela, his sister.

Antonia visits Aníbal. He tells her that Alejandro and Valentina left the house and Max is now the head of the Suárez clan, so he must be eliminated. Verónica corroborates that Cecilia was given an abortive. David defends his grandmother.

A crooked judge rules that Chamuco belongs to Aníbal Villegas and Antonia Guerra. Antonia manages to have Lucas freed. Eugenia, alias Brigitte, arrives — a young and beautiful woman hired by Antonia to attract David.

Francisca has a feeling that something bad is going to happen. Ricardo questions Antonia about the abortion medication she gave to Cecilia. Antonia fires Valentina and Max. She doesn't care anymore; all the documents have been signed. They suffer an accident.

Gastón takes Francisca to The Fortress, goes to the police station and confirms the bad news. Alejandro has a terrible fight with Antonia; he knows she is the assassin. Irene finds the microphone that Macario planted in the room.

Irene warns Lucho about the hidden microphone. Aníbal reads the testament signed by Valentina and warns Antonia that the document makes her a suspect. Poncia tells Alejandro that Antonia is turning David into an alcoholic.

Rodrigo begins suspecting Antonia's wickedness. Veronica confesses to Alejandro that she is afraid for what the hatred she now feels can do to her once she gets rid of Antonia Guerra. Francisca has a revealing dream.

Poncia tells Irene that she suspects that Julia did not commit suicide, but that someone killed her. Alejandro is worried about Lucia's new symptoms.

Constanza tells Rodrigo the whole ordeal she has experienced at the insane asylum. She also talks about her relationship with Gabriela and Lucho, without whom she would have never survived. Veronica's bodyguards save Gastón from a murder attempt.

Antonia goes to look for David at Francisca's house. Constanza confronts Aníbal and swears to him that she will bring him to justice. He suffers a heart attack. David and Cecilia reconcile.

Antonia and Verónica engage in a heated argument and once again declare war on each other. Verónica warns Antonia that this is the beginning of the end for her. David does not go back to his grandmother.

Lucho manages to open Antonia's safe box with Irene and they take out the documents. Macario points a pistol at them. Irene faces him while Lucho escapes. Macario throws her on the floor and Irene is rendered unconscious, bleeding from the head.

Irene goes to The Fortress and asks Gabriela for her forgiveness offering to provide reparation as her witness against Antonia.

Patricia gives an unforgettable speech that arouses everyone's admiration. The doctor informs Aníbal that he will soon sign his release from the hospital, but Aníbal offers him money to let him stay in the hospital. A doctor informs Lagarto that the only kidney he has left will soon be in failure. Lucho finally opens Antonia's safe and takes out the documents.

Patricia moves to her parents' house with Ricardito. Alejandro hits Macario and ends up in the police station. Constanza and Gastón find an envelope with the key to a bank vault and an electronic card with Antonia's picture. They decide to inform Lucho so he can conduct the difficult mission.

Ricardo informs Veronica that he is resigning as a judge, in order to be a lawyer to defend Alejandro and his friends. Lucho and Irene gain access to the vault and discover that Antonia is the owner of the brothel The House of Dolls. Antonia pressures the attorney to defend her. Rodrigo has discovered Veronica's true identity.

On his radio show, Gastón confirms to his audience that Antonia Guerra is the owner of the brothel. Everyone is listening, including Antonia.

Veronica circulates around town the picture of Antonia Guerra from her time as a prostitute and owner of the brothel. Antonia is devastated. Lucas delivers a threatening message from Macario to Lagarto. Alejandro is released from jail. Patricia's lawyer hands Ricardo the divorce papers.

Veronica and Alejandro break up for good following the attack over Antonia's past. David goes back to live with his grandmother. Rodrigo Balmaceda orders the closing of the House of Dolls.

Verónica discovers that she is pregnant with Alejandro's child, and asks Francisca and Gastón not to tell anyone. Inés gives Ricardo an ultimatum. Ines gives Ricardo an ultimatum.

Rodrigo questions Anibal about his past. Macario and Lucas place an explosive device at the hospital to kill Lagarto. Francisca has another vision, and rushes to the hospital to tell Alejandro that Lagarto's life is in danger.

To her disbelief, Francisca learns that she is pregnant. Ricardo and Luisa finally make love and he realizes his impotence has been cured. Lucas rapes Cecilia and leaves her agonizing.

After learning what Lucas did to Cecilia, David seeks revenge. Meanwhile, Lucecita discovers someone hiding in Veronica's home. David beats Lucas savagely and leaves him for dead. Macario stabs Lucas in revenge for his cousin's death. Lucas survives.

David acknowledges Veronica as his mother and they reconcile. She tells him why she faked being Veronica and about all of her suffering because of Antonia. Lucecita blackmails Lucho. A strike is under way at the mine. Antonia seeks Alejandro's help.

Antonia visits David in his jail cell, and he tries to hide his resentment towards her. Anibal is brought to the Commissar's Office in handcuffs. Antonia discovers her picture in Rodrigo's slate board. He complains that he is conducting an investigation against her.

Verónica and Alejandro have an emotional encounter and she is about to tell him she is with child. Gastón finds Lucecita observing something terrible on the bunker's monitors. At the trial, Aníbal pleads not guilty.

Lucas wakes up from the coma and Veronica gets him to confess before a notary that it was him who stabbed Macario. At the trial, Gertrudis testifies that Anibal paid her to keep Constanza locked up.

Francisca has another disturbing dream. Lucho attends the trial in disguise. David goes free and Ricardo tells Antonia that it was due to Lucas's confession before dying. She worries. Ricardo calls his secret weapon to the stand: Chacón. Aníbal and Antonia feel they have been discovered. Alejandro suffers for his mother.

Alejandro asks Antonia to make a full confession. Ricardo advises Aníbal to declare war against Antonia. Aníbal refuses because he's afraid.

Antonia wants to escape with Rodrigo; she feels he is the only one who can save her from herself. Moved by the recording Veronica showed him, Aníbal reports Antonia to the authorities. Antonia offers Macario money to kill Veronica. Veronica visits Anibal in jail.

Aníbal receives the maximum sentence and Veronica reveals her identity in the cell. Macario abducts Alejandro while Antonia plans the assassination of her nemesis. Gabriela's pregnancy makes Lucía hopeful.

Aníbal commits suicide. Patricia consoles Ricardo and they make love. Alejandro manages to break free and escape from the stables.

Unfolding events leave Antonia in a state of high tension. Holding Gabriela and Alejandro at gunpoint, Macario threatens to kill both of them. Lagarto attacks him. Before dying, Macario shows Antonia to Rodrigo. Antonia is arrested.

Antonia finally realises Veronica's true identity. Lagarto escapes from the hospital in order kill Antonia. Francisca tells Gabriela about her dream. Lucho turns himself in to the authorities; Irene and Gabriela worry. Ricardo will defend him and Rodrigo will protect him. In her cell, Antonia cuts her veins in front of Gabriela. At the hospital, she asks Alejandro and David to help her die.

Lucho is released until the judge gives a sentence. Antonia manages to escape and injures Lagarto. Francisca senses it; the old Patrona arrives at the San Pedro mine and points a gun at Cecilia and Francisca.

Taking David hostage to force a meeting with Gabriela, Antonia bares her soul to him, but he is unmoved. Gabriela escapes and confronts Antonia.

The final confrontation between Gabriela and Antonia. Guerra is rendered quadriplegic and is convicted. Rodrigo watches her with great pain inside him, but leaves her. Alejandro and Gabriela finally get married. Tomasito is born; he brings new hope to his sister and San Pedro del Oro.