Jules is a straightforward, resilient woman who grew up with financial instability in a Florida trailer park before building a peaceful life in Colorado. She works at a living history museum and enjoys a quiet, ordinary existence with her husband, Cam. Unintimidated by wealth and social status, she eagerly encourages Cam's return to his family estate, aggressively protecting him against his relatives' bullying behavior.

Camden is a high school English and science teacher living a modest, unassuming life in Colorado. Adopted by the wealthy Ruby McTavish, he is the sole heir to an immense fortune and Ashby House. Despite his inheritance, he purposely distanced himself from his family's money and influence for ten years, possessing a quiet conscience that sets him apart from his entitled relatives.

Ruby is the infamous late matriarch of the McTavish family, known for her enormous wealth, timeless elegance, and scandalous history. Kidnapped at the age of three and returned months later, her life is marked by early trauma and four marriages that all ended in her husbands' deaths. Her lingering presence continues to dominate Ashby House, primarily through a massive portrait hanging at the top of the stairs.

Ben is an estate lawyer and Cam's slightly older cousin. Raised in the insulated, wealthy environment of Ashby House, he is deeply invested in his identity as a McTavish. He exhibits a strong sense of entitlement and a history of manipulative behavior, frequently using his social status to intimidate others.

Libby is Ben's sister and a minor social media influencer who continues to live off the family wealth at Ashby House. Though she presents a glamorous, polished facade online, she is confrontational and deeply unhappy, struggling with a history of failed careers and marriages.

Nelle is the 79-year-old sister of Ruby and the self-appointed matriarch of Ashby House. She is cruel, snobbish, and bitter, harboring a lifelong resentment stemming from her role as the lesser-valued sister. She fiercely protects her status within the home and actively fosters division among the younger generation.

Howell is Nelle's late son and the father of Ben and Libby. He died in a drunk driving accident a few months before the events of the novel. During his life, he struggled with an alcohol use disorder and frequently pressured his children to secure the family's financial future.

Duke is Ruby's first husband, a man she married young after being captivated by his unflappable demeanor. Behind closed doors, he is violently abusive and frequently intoxicated, using his charm to hide his cruelty.

Hugh is Ruby's second husband, originally her father's dull and reliable accountant. He proves to be intensely controlling, dictating Ruby's movements, conversations, and daily life under the guise of devotion.

Andrew is a painter from Scotland and Ruby's third husband. He is described as untidy but deeply loving, and is the only husband Ruby claims to have genuinely loved. He painted the iconic portrait of Ruby that hangs in Ashby House.

Roddy is Ruby's fourth husband, a wealthy and handsome young man. He lives a partying lifestyle and struggles with a serious substance use disorder, which quickly exhausts Ruby's patience.

Mason is the patriarch of the McTavish family and Ruby's adoptive father. He is a ruthless, powerful man who uses his vast lumber fortune to solve problems and bypass consequences, establishing the family's culture of entitlement.

Jimmy is a former McTavish employee from Alabama. He is famously known as the man who kidnapped the McTavish heiress and raised her as Dora Darnell for eight months, though his true involvement is shrouded in the family's dark secrets.

Claire is a woman living in Tallahassee who shares a hidden connection to Ruby's early childhood. She lives a modest life and provides Ruby with stark truths about their shared past and the vast disparity in their upbringings.

Cecelia is the housekeeper at Ashby House. She is warm, genuinely happy to meet Jules, and pleased to see Cam return to the estate.

Beth is a resident of the nearby town of Tavistock. She is friendly and represents the town's hopeful attitude toward Cam and Jules potentially taking over the estate.

Penny is a teacher at an art center in Knoxville and Cam's mother. Though Cam found her when he was younger, he observes her from a distance without making direct contact.

Grace was the nanny of the original three-year-old Ruby McTavish. Her presence in historical photos raises lingering questions about the true events surrounding the child's disappearance.