Rachel

Rachel is one of the protagonists of the novel. She is Eliza's partner, and Arthur's mother. Her mother is Elizabeth, and her real father is Ali. She grows up believing that her mother's husband, Nicholas, is her father. At the start of the novel, she has been in a relationship with Eliza for four years. Though she and Eliza have a difficult relationship, Rachel desperately wants to have a child. When Eliza shows hesitance to the idea, she starts mistrusting her, hoping she will prove her love.

One night, Rachel becomes bothered by an ant infestation in the apartment. She is convinced Eliza switched sides on the bed to put Rachel closer to the ants. Eliza's protests only make Rachel more frustrated. She feels better the next evening when Eliza comes home with peppermint oil for the ants, and a fertility test. Then, in the middle of the...