September Affair

On a flight from Rome to New York, Manina Stuart, a famed concert pianist, meets David Lawrence, a businessman haunted by his unhappy marriage. Their plane is diverted to Naples for engine repairs, and they decide to pass the delay by sightseeing. The chance encounter sparks a connection neither expects to become serious.

They spend time together in Naples, sharing stories and dreams as attraction grows. Both feel the tension of forbidden romance: Manina is single, David is married with a son. They quickly fall in love and secretly plan to extend their time together.

They learn the plane they were supposed to board has crashed into the ocean and all aboard are presumed dead. A clerical mixup publishes a list of victims that includes their names, making their absence public knowledge. This jolt forces them to confront the consequences of living a life in disguise.

Deciding they cannot reveal themselves to their families, Manina and David choose to stay dead and relocate to Florence. They begin building a shared life without contact with Catherine or David Jr. The plan hinges on secrecy and the belief that the world will move on without them.

David uses a predated check to transfer a large sum of money to Maria Salvatini, his piano teacher, which provides funds for their Florence life. Maria agrees to shield Manina's continued existence as a student and mentor. The financial transfer marks the practical start of their new life.

Catherine and David Jr. travel to Florence after learning about the money transfer, hoping to uncover David's fate. They begin to piece together the truth about Manina and the supposed deaths of David and his family. The search intensifies as suspicion grows.

David Jr. recognizes Manina's face from the victims list, realizing his father may be alive. The discovery threatens their carefully constructed ruse and forces them to face the possibility of exposure. The tension rises as the truth edges closer to breaking point.

Catherine responds to the revelation by writing a note to David and then leaving, overwhelmed by the situation and the disruption to her family. This emotional move adds pressure to the couple's already fragile arrangement. The secret life begins to crumble around them.

With the secret now out, Manina resumes the original plan and performs Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 2 in New York, demonstrating her determination to carry on despite the scandal. The public performance contrasts with her private deception and personal turmoil. The concert becomes a statement of resilience.

Manina realizes she cannot stay with David and that their attempt to escape the past has failed. The relationship cannot endure the weight of their deception, and she resolves to end it. The future feels uncertain as the truth sits between them.

Manina bids David goodbye at the airport, ending their forbidden romance as she continues her career alone. The airport departure marks the final release from their shared past and a return to individual paths. It is a poignant ending that acknowledges the cost of running from the truth.