Ben Martin is charming and successful: an academic who has raised money for children?s charities and worked with women?s agencies in sub-Saharan Africa, a devoted husband. But when his brother Francois, an artist based in Lisbon, finds out about Ben?s affair with a student, Rita Kalungal, he finds himself feeling responsible both for his brother?s actions as well as Rita; and Rita begins to realise that her involvement with Ben has far-reaching consequences on herself and her family, and others.