Michiko Malandro breaks out of a high-security prison to see her long-lost love, Hiroshi. Elsewhere, Hiroshi's daughter, Hana Morenos, lives the life of Cinderella among her adoptive family, waiting for someone to come and take her away from them.

Michiko is summoned at gunpoint to see Rico, the local favela boss. Pepê Lima, a dancer at a nearby nightclub run by Rico, approaches Hatchin with information about Hiroshi. However, Pepê has an agenda of her own for meeting with Michiko and Hatchin.

Michiko visits her old friend Ivan to ask the whereabouts of a man named Satoshi, who might know where Hiroshi is. Thinking the task ahead to be dangerous, Michiko leaves Hatchin with Zelia Bastos at the orphanage where she grew up, for her safety.

In the town of Perna, famous for its weeping Maria statue, Hatchin is traveling alone and low on money. She befriends a young girl from the local circus named Rita, who is infatuated with her adult performing partner, and desperate to grow up.

Michiko and Hatchin make their way into São Paraíso, and happen upon one of Hiroshi's old business associates. When Michiko becomes forlorn after finding out that Hiroshi had not mentioned her, Hatchin comes up with a plan to cheer Michiko up again.

In an attempt to locate Hiroshi, Satoshi coerces a local crime boss, Juninho, to search for him. However, Juninho is already out to get Hiroshi for some outstanding debts. Michiko continues to elude police, and ends up cornered at a traveling carnival.