Claire Dolan

Claire Dolan arrives in America as an Irish immigrant and is drawn into sex work to pay off her pimp. She travels to Newark, New Jersey, to be near a cousin and to work in a local salon. Through these ties, she forms a relationship with her cousin and with Siobhan.

Claire begins receiving suspicious phone calls at work and at home. She leaves her apartment and goes to a nearby bar, where she sits at a stranger's table and, after a dance, ends up spending the night with him as a safe place to stay. The next morning, she wakes up in his bed, having chosen a stranger for shelter.

Returning home, Claire seems unsettled and speaks briefly with Roland. Elton watches this, then follows her to a hotel where she stays for some time, suggesting she continues to see clients as part of her routine. He eventually gives up waiting for her there.

There is a knock on Dolan's door as Elton confronts Claire about her true identity, where she lives, and whether she has a pimp or owes money. The exchange reveals the tension between her hidden life and his concern for her safety.

Over the next days and weeks, Claire and Elton continue to work and meet after their shifts. Elton develops real feelings for her, and the two eventually confess their love to each other. The relationship deepens beyond a casual encounter.

Elton goes to see Roland, who has been expecting him. Roland grabs Elton by the throat and asserts that Claire has always been a whore, warning him to get out while he can. The confrontation reveals Roland's control and menace over Claire's life.

It is implied Claire may be Roland's daughter, adding a disturbing layer to his control. He also speaks with an Eastern European prostitute in a hotel room, showing his predatory and manipulative nature without pursuing sex himself.

Claire goes to the doctor and checks out okay, confirming her health. She continues to see a number of clients, maintaining her livelihood while the other tensions linger in the background.

During a visit with a client, Claire thinks she sees Elton's reflection on the balcony outside and goes to the window to look. The client remains unaware as they carry on inside, with Elton visible on the balcony, heightening the sense of being watched.

Having gathered enough money to pay off her debt, Claire goes to Roland. He asks whether she intends to keep the baby and briefly offers money for the baby, attempting to control her future. She refuses, denying him any leverage over her.

Claire returns home, packs a suitcase with a decisive air, and heads to the airport. The act signals a final attempt to break free from Roland's grip and start anew elsewhere.

Elton is seen walking down the street with a blond woman when Roland passes by and stops them. Elton introduces the woman as his wife, and she is seven months pregnant with a girl, revealing a different path his life has taken since Claire's departure.