At the turn of the 20th century, Lili d'Alengy, a famous Parisian courtesan and darling of the Parisian cabaret scene has a shameful secret -- a daughter with a disability, Tina, whom she must hide to protect her career. Unwilling and unable to care for Tina, Lili decides to leave Paris for Rome. In Rome, Lili seeks help from Maria Montessori, a doctor who is developing a teaching method for children with learning difficulties. But Maria also has a secret -- a child born out of wedlock, and soon she will be forced to choose between her career and her child. Together, the two women will help each other to find their place in the world and establish a new vision of education.