In an elegant yet oppressive mansion in the English countryside, a rebellious young woman, deemed more problematic than prodigious, lives under the strict surveillance of her grandmother, the stern Mrs. Dulcie. The girl's life revolves around her chalk garden, a space where reality blurs slightly and where she can express her discontent with the world around her. However, her life takes an unexpected turn when a mysterious and enigmatic woman arrives to be the new governess. With a past full of secrets, this new figure challenges the rules imposed by Dulcie and becomes the only person who truly seems to understand the young woman.
As the relationship between the governess and the girl deepens, a mix of friendship and manipulation begins to intertwine, leading both characters to explore their emotional wounds and seek their place in a world that wants to control them. Tension escalates when the grandmother, wary of this new influence, embarks on a struggle to maintain control over the household.
Set against a backdrop of intrigue and the fragility of family relationships, the story reveals the struggles of self-discovery and the quest for freedom. Through a power play and the fight for the truth, the characters must confront their own demons, while the chalk garden becomes a symbol of the eternal struggle between reality and fantasy.