The Usurper
La Usurpadora (translated: The Usurper) is a Mexican romantic drama telenovela produced by Salvador Mejia Alejandre and originally broadcast on Televisa in 1998. It starred Gabriela Spanic and Fernando Colunga. This was one of the last telenovelas to feature Libertad Lamarque, who here portrayed the character of Abuela Piedad Bracho.
The action:
The show's premise revolves around a pair of twin sisters, Paola and Paulina, who were separated at birth, and as adults the younger sister is forced to act as a "replacement" for her wealthier elder sister who wants to leave her family for selfish reasons.
Paulina is a good young woman who lives in poverty. Paola is an evil stepmother of two who is married to a wealthy man named Carlos Daniel Bracho. When the twins cross paths by chance, Paola blackmails Paulina to take Paola's place in the Bracho home while she takes a year-long vacation with her lover. Abandoned by her fiancé Osvaldo and following the death of her sick mother, Paulina submits to Paola's plan.
Paulina has to adapt to a family that is beyond her social standing and cope with various family members who have long borne ill-will to the nasty Paola. During this time, Paulina is shocked to discover how Paola has treated her family and works hard to restore peace. Carlos Daniel is suspicious of "Paola"'s sudden character change, but eventually comes to love her. Paulina too falls for him. Many other problems occur during this time, mostly with Paulina having to deal with scorned lovers of Paola.
Right before the one-year mark passes, the truth comes out prematurely when Luciano, who knew about the switch, reveals it to Carlos Daniel and his family. Paulina sneaks out of the Bracho home soon after. Carlos Daniel's son Carlitos runs away from home to search for her, and is involved in an accident that erases his memory. He is taken into the care of two old sisters named Chavela and Senobia, while the