Ana is a young Dominican girl thrust into adulthood when she marries Juan, a man twice her age. Relocated to Washington Heights in New York City, she experiences profound homesickness and isolation while confined to their apartment. Despite her initial meekness and lack of English skills, she possesses a quiet resilience and a sharp observant mind. Her journey focuses on adapting to a harsh new reality while clinging to her identity and family bonds.

Juan is a thirty-two-year-old Dominican immigrant who works relentlessly in New York City to support extended families in both the United States and the Dominican Republic. He is characterized by a volatile temper, strict traditional views on gender roles, and a profound fear of the American authorities. To cope with the pressures of his undocumented status and heavy responsibilities, he rules his household through intimidation and control.

César is Juan's younger brother and one of Ana's few connections to the outside world in New York City. Unlike his older brother, he is affectionate and outgoing, moving freely through the city's social spaces. He serves as an unexpected ally to Ana, teaching her how to find her way in her new environment and offering a contrast to Juan's oppressive demeanor.

Mamá is Ana's formidable mother who remains in the Dominican Republic during the early stages of Ana's marriage. She is a pragmatic woman who has internalized strict gender norms and prioritizes her family's financial survival over individual happiness. She frequently corresponds with Ana, offering uncompromising advice on how to secure resources within a patriarchal marriage.

Marisela is a glamorous woman who cleans houses for wealthy American women. She introduces Ana to the possibilities of female independence and urban survival. She is ambitious and fiercely protective of her own interests, representing the cutthroat hustle required to make a living in New York City.

Teresa is Ana's older sister who rebels against Mamá's strict rules to pursue a romance with a local guard. Her defiant choices and subsequent pregnancy serve as a cautionary tale for their mother, accelerating the pressure on Ana to accept a safe, respectable marriage.

Caridad is a Puerto Rican woman who works with Juan in New York City. She is a source of romantic temptation and complication for Juan, representing a life he desires but cannot pragmatically pursue due to his familial obligations in the Dominican Republic.

Yohnny is Ana's inquisitive younger brother who stays behind in the Dominican Republic. He possesses a sharp sense of joy and curiosity, often finding ways to subvert their mother's strict household rules. His memory provides Ana with comfort during her darkest moments in isolation.

Gabriel is a boy from Ana's school in the Dominican Republic who shares a mutual, innocent affection with her. He represents the youthful, untethered life and genuine young love that Ana must abandon when she accepts her arranged marriage to Juan.

Lenny is Ana's youngest brother, representing the hopes of the Canción family's future. The entire family envisions a path where he might benefit from the sacrifices made by his older siblings, carrying their aspirations for a better life.

Hector is one of Juan's brothers who has established a more comfortable, integrated life in the United States. He lives in a house rather than an apartment and speaks fluent English, demonstrating the potential success of the family's American ambitions.

Yrene is Hector's Puerto Rican wife who was born and raised in America. She represents a level of assimilation and domestic stability that contrasts sharply with Ana's initial claustrophobic experience in New York.

Ramón is Juan's older brother who stays behind in Santo Domingo to oversee the family's finances. His investment decisions directly impact Juan's stress levels and the family's overall financial security.

Referred to by his profession as a guard, he is Teresa's forbidden romantic partner. Mamá views him as unreliable and unrespectable, using his poor reputation to push Ana toward the seemingly more stable Juan.

Juanita is Yohnny's cousin and girlfriend in the Dominican Republic. Their connection complicates Yohnny's plans to immigrate to the United States, as he refuses to leave her behind.

Sister Lucía is an instructor at the neighborhood church who helps immigrants learn English. She provides Ana with one of her first opportunities to safely step outside the apartment and engage with the wider New York community.

Rose is a kind neighbor living in Ana's building. She serves as a brief but meaningful source of community for Ana, helping her find her way around the local neighborhood when she ventures out alone.

Antonio is a friend and business acquaintance of Juan's in New York City. His interactions with Ana are marked by a boundary-crossing flirtation that emphasizes her vulnerability in her husband's absence.