Sophie Carax’s past is recounted from years before she became Antoni Fortuny’s “slave.” At nineteen she comes to Barcelona expecting a job that fails to appear, and seeks help from the Benarenses, family friends from Alsace. Monsieur Benarens welcomes her too warmly, and Madame Benarens gives Sophie money and sends her away, leaving Sophie to find work on her own.

Sophie is hired by a music school on Calle Diputación as a private piano tutor for wealthy families. She endures the contempt of many pupils and households, but continues for survival, focusing on the few students who show talent or decency. During this period she meets Antoni Fortuny, a hatter who persistently courts her and repeatedly proposes; Sophie feels friendship and gratitude but not love, yet his devotion eases her loneliness.

Through her favorite student, the gifted young Ana Valls, Sophie is drawn into the Valls household, where she meets Don Ricardo Aldaya, a powerful oligarch newly married for money and alliances. A single encounter convinces Sophie that Aldaya is dangerous, yet also awakens a conflicted, instinctive attraction and fear. Sophie tries to flee future contact by quitting Ana Valls as a pupil, but Aldaya is amused and unbothered.

A week later Aldaya intercepts Sophie outside the music school and silently leads her to an empty apartment where he demands the truth of her desire; Sophie cannot deny she has thought of him. They begin a secret affair that lasts ninety-six days, meeting twice a week for brief, controlled encounters. Sophie is left emotionally shattered, sometimes remaining alone afterward to cry and shake, while still searching on Sundays in Antoni Fortuny’s adoring gaze for a version of herself that feels safe and good.

When Sophie suspects she is pregnant with Aldaya’s child, she clings to Antoni Fortuny’s protection and accepts his promise of marriage. Aldaya confirms her pregnancy, gives her money and an address, and orders her to abort; when Sophie refuses, he beats her and threatens to have her killed if she ever speaks of him or the child. Sophie lies to Fortuny about being assaulted, and Fortuny believes her; on Sophie and Fortuny’s wedding day, a mistakenly delivered funeral wreath terrifies Sophie because she understands Aldaya’s threat is real and ongoing.