1.Liv (Olivia) Sterling (Substitute Bride)
Age: 25
Occupation: Freelance Interior Designer
Personality: Liv is independent, intelligent, and creative, but she's often cautious about her feelings and protective of her heart. She's found herself caught in a whirlwind of emotions after being thrust into a marriage with Ryan Sterling, a man she barely knows. Despite her initial reluctance, she is quickly learning to navigate her new life and the complexities of a relationship built on a contract rather than love. She is resilient and determined, but also vulnerable and longing for genuine connection.
Backstory: Liv was raised in a modest, loving family, and has always been independent. Her journey to becoming Ryan's substitute bride started when her family faced financial ruin, and she reluctantly agreed to marry Ryan to help her parents.
2. Ryan Sterling (Business man and liv's Husband)
Age: 30
Occupation: CEO of Sterling Enterprises
Personality: Ryan is ambitious, confident, and fiercely protective of his reputation and his family. However, beneath his polished exterior lies a man grappling with the ghosts of his past. He's emotionally distant, largely due to a series of failed relationships and the heavy expectations placed upon him as the head of a major corporation. As he grows closer to Liv, he begins to unravel the layers of his own emotions.
Backstory: Ryan grew up in wealth and power, with a domineering father who constantly pushed him to meet high expectations. His first love, Elena, left him after he chose duty over their relationship, and he became jaded toward love. The arranged marriage to Liv is a business arrangement, but as they spend time together, he starts to question everything.
3. Elena Hayes(Alex ex)
Age: 28
Occupation: Fashion Designer
Personality: Elena is elegant, charismatic, and has a knack for getting what she wants. She carries herself with confidence and is not afraid to use her beauty and charm to manipulate situations. Though she appears to be the perfect picture of poise, there is a deep insecurity and jealousy beneath the surface when it comes to Ryan and Liv's marriage.
Backstory: Elena and Ryan were once in love, but their relationship ended when Ryan chose to focus on his family's business over her. After their breakup, she moved on to build her own successful career in fashion, but her feelings for Ryan never truly faded. She sees Liv as a threat to her unfinished business with Ryan.
4. Mrs. Angela Sterling (Ryan's Mother)
Age: 55
Occupation: Philanthropist and Socialite
Personality: Angela is sophisticated, loving, and concerned for her son's future. She has a strong sense of family and traditions, but also carries the weight of her own hidden struggles. While she is outwardly supportive of Liv, she is still navigating her own disappointment in Ryan's marriage choice and the impact it has on the Sterling family legacy.
Backstory: Angela married into the Sterling family as a young woman and was groomed to be the perfect wife for her powerful husband. Though she's always appeared to be a picture of grace, her relationship with her son Ryan is complicated by the pressures of the family's expectations. She sees Liv as someone who could either bring Ryan happiness or be yet another source of disappointment.
5. Micheal Hayes (Liv's Older Brother)
Age: 27
Occupation: Architect
Personality: Michael is protective, loyal, and a bit stubborn. He's been a constant source of support for Liv, especially after their parents' financial troubles. While he's happy that Liv is beginning to make a life of her own, he's wary of the arrangement with Ryan, believing it may not be as innocent as it seems.
Backstory: Michael has always looked out for Liv, especially after their father's business collapsed. He believes strongly in family and loyalty, and he's cautious of Ryan and his true intentions for Liv.
6. Eleanor "Ellie" Vance ( Liv's Best Friend)
Age: 24
Occupation: Marketing Executive
Personality: Ellie is bubbly, adventurous, and a little reckless. She's the opposite of Liv in many ways, always pushing her to take risks and step outside her comfort zone. Though Ellie's life is seemingly perfect, she harbors her own insecurities and is the first to notice the growing chemistry between Liv and Ryan.
Backstory: Ellie and Liv met in college, and they've been inseparable ever since. Ellie's family is wealthy, but she's more interested in living her own life rather than relying on her family's fortune. She's been Liv's rock through the turmoil of her forced marriage and is the first person to tell her that she deserves more than a business contract.
7. Samuel Brooks (Ryan's Right-Hand Man)
Age: 35
Occupation: COO of Sterling Enterprises
Personality: Samuel is serious, sharp, and professional. He is loyal to Ryan but has his own doubts about the marriage to Liv. Though he sees the business side of the arrangement, he also understands the weight of emotions and sees Liv as more than just a pawn in Ryan's life.
Backstory: Samuel has worked with Ryan for years, having built Sterling Enterprises from the ground up with him. He knows Ryan's history and has seen him struggle with the dynamics of his family and his ex. He's a steady influence on Ryan but secretly wishes he could offer more advice on matters of the heart.
8. Maxine "Max" Reynolds (Ryan's Childhood Friend)
Age: 30
Occupation: Lawyer
Personality: Max is intelligent, no-nonsense, and fiercely protective of the people she cares about. She's been Ryan's confidante for years, though their relationship has always been strictly platonic. She's observant and has been quietly watching the tension between Liv and Ryan, knowing there's more than meets the eye.
Backstory: Max and Ryan grew up together, but after high school, she decided to carve out her own path in law. She's the person Ryan turns to when he needs advice or support, though she's also the first to call him out when he's avoiding his feelings.