Gabriel Dalton serves as the novel’s deuteragonist, a round and dynamic character whose path to personal recovery is intertwined with Ellie’s. A survivor of a childhood abduction, Gabriel grapples with deep-seated trauma that, at the novel’s beginning, manifests as an extreme aversion to physical touch. This condition has left him isolated, unable to form the intimate connections he craves. Despite the darkness of his past, Gabriel is defined by an extraordinary capacity for gentleness, patience, and empathy. His character embodies the novel’s argument for healing through connection, as he actively seeks help rather than retreating further into himself. His proposal to Ellie that she help him regain his tolerance to physical contact, though clumsily articulated, is a courageous first step toward reclaiming his life from the trauma that has defined it.

Gabriel’s resilience is one of his most defining traits, symbolized by two key elements in the text. The first is the stone figurines he carved while in captivity. These small sculptures, which he named and imbued with personalities, were his “only friends” (230) and represented his lifeline to hope, love, and his own identity in a dehumanizing environment. The second is his daily ritual of watching the sunrise, a conscious choice to embrace gratitude for his freedom and to find hope in a new day. This ritual becomes a shared symbol of healing when Ellie eventually joins him, representing the merging of their separate journeys. The act of sculpting functions as a symbol for Gabriel’s therapeutic nature. He tells Ellie, “I don’t create beauty, Eloise, I just reveal what’s already there” (133), a statement that encapsulates his ability to see past her hardened exterior to the vulnerable person within. This perspective is central to the theme of The Redemptive Power of Unconditional Love, as his unwavering belief in her inherent worth allows her to see it in herself.

While he acts as a catalyst for Ellie’s healing, Gabriel also undergoes a significant transformation. His relationship with Ellie is a site of mutual recovery, and this reciprocity underpins the novel’s treatment of emotional connection. As he provides her with the safety and unconditional love she needs to become vulnerable, she, in turn, allows him to slowly become comfortable with physical intimacy. Gabriel evolves from a man defined by his trauma to one who is defined by his capacity to love, ultimately finding his own complete healing in the act of helping to heal another.

Dominic Dalton functions as a key antagonist and a foil to his older brother, Gabriel. His character is underpinned by a misplaced sense of guilt stemming from his belief that he was responsible for Gabriel’s abduction when they were children. This guilt often manifests as an overprotective, controlling, and judgmental attitude, particularly concerning Gabriel’s personal choices and relationships. Dominic’s primary motivation is to ensure Gabriel lives “the life meant for him” (184), showing that he thinks he knows what is best for Gabriel. His attitude toward Ellie, reflecting pejorative attitudes toward sex workers, presents a significant obstacle in Gabriel and Ellie’s relationship. As a foil to Gabriel, Dominic’s harsh judgment starkly contrasts with his brother’s empathy. In this way, Dominic’s major roles are to provide tension and to explore the theme of maintaining positive self-esteem in the face of abuse and stigma.

When he learns of Ellie’s profession, Dominic immediately dismisses her as a “trashy stripper” (110) and “a piece of garbage” (111), and this verbal abuse illustrates the insults and stigmatizing language that Ellie endures often in the novel. He actively works to drive her away, assuming that her profession makes her a bad person. His actions, including his verbal assaults and an unwanted physical advance on Ellie, create intense conflict and force Gabriel to definitively choose Ellie, thereby strengthening their bond. For most of the novel, Dominic is a static character who is unable to see past his own guilt and prejudice. Only after being confronted by both Gabriel and Chloe does he begin to self-reflect, and this moment leads to his eventual apology to Ellie and the beginning of a potential shift in his character. This development characterizes the novel’s message of increased understanding and redemption.

George is a mentor figure who provides stability, wisdom, and unconditional support for Gabriel and Dominic. As their late father’s best friend and business partner, he acted as their guardian and has remained a constant, positive presence in their lives. He serves as a moral compass in the narrative, offering quiet guidance without judgment. His advice to Gabriel to “follow your heart” (77) regarding Ellie is a pivotal moment of encouragement that validates Gabriel’s instincts. Unlike Dominic, George treats Ellie with immediate kindness and respect, demonstrating a capacity to see a person’s character rather than their circumstances. He is a static and flat character, but his unwavering support and fatherly love provide a crucial foundation of safety and normalcy for the protagonists.