The Flower of My Secret 1996

Leocadia “Leo” Macías is feeling the absence of her husband, Paco, a NATO official currently in Brussels due to his involvement in the Bosnian War. In a futile attempt to feel closer to him, she slips into a pair of boots he gifted her. Unfortunately, they are far too tight, rendering her unable to remove them on her own. Seeking help, she reaches out to her best friend, Betty, who arrives to assist her in getting the boots off.

Encouraged by Betty, who encourages Leo to pursue a distraction through her writing, she contacts Ángel, an editor at El País. Their interaction is promising, but when he requests her to review a new anthology from Amanda Gris, a well-known romance novelist, she flatly declines and storms out of his office.

However, Ángel soon follows up with Leo, having read her prior work and expressing his desire to publish one of her essays. Elated, she attempts to share this news with Paco, but instead, her call leads to an awkward confrontation. Accusing her of intoxication before hearing her out, Paco misses the chance for a positive exchange.

During an important meeting with her publishers, they confront her about her latest manuscript, which they deem too dark compared to the typical light-hearted fare expected from Amanda Gris. They remind her of her contractual obligation to produce five happiness-driven novels annually, written under a pseudonym at her own request. When they threaten litigation for breach of contract, Leo stands her ground, insisting she cannot write that way anymore. Out of frustration, she pens a scathing article about Amanda Gris and submits it to Ángel, who publishes it, causing a stir.

The tension escalates when Paco returns home for what is supposed to be a brief leave. His detachment and impending departure to Split within two hours ignite a heated argument, exposing unresolved issues in their marriage. In a moment of desperation, Leo asks if their relationship can be salvaged, only to be met with a firm denial. Alone, she resorts to taking half a bottle of tranquilizers in despair.

The next morning, Leo is stirred by her mother’s voicemail and finds herself in a vulnerable state. After regurgitating the pills, she stumbles into the streets and fortuitously encounters Ángel. When she regains consciousness in his apartment, she discovers that, while inebriated, she revealed her identity as Amanda Gris. Ángel offers to keep her secret, provided she avoids further self-harm.

Upon returning home, Leo learns from Betty that she and Paco had a brief affair, which she ended after Paco sought her out following their argument. Meanwhile, her mother continues to call with complaints about Leo’s sister, Rosa, leading Leo to decide to return to their old village with her.

Finding solace in reconnection with her roots, Leo rests amidst her family. It isn’t long before one of her publishers expresses delight at Leo’s latest Amanda Gris novels. To her surprise, she discovers that Ángel has taken it upon himself to submit the works on her behalf and even offers to fulfill the remaining books in her contract.

After a trip back to Madrid, Leo attends a dance performance featuring Antonio, the son of her housekeeper. Upon returning home, Antonio candidly admits to having stolen some of her possessions—including her rejected novel, which is being adapted into a film—to fund his show. Grateful for this revelation that brings clarity to her struggles, Leo thanks him for adding meaning to her darkest periods. Invigorated, she makes a visit to Ángel, where they share a kiss, celebrating their connection under the guise of New Year’s Eve.