Desiree is light skinned, mixed race, and the identical twin of Stella. Born seven minutes before her sibling, Desiree has always taken the lead. She convinces Stella to run away to New Orleans with her when the girls are 16. Although she believes herself to be the more venturesome twin, Desiree ends up returning to Mallard with her daughter. She lives in fear of her abusive ex-husband until bounty hunter Early promises not to reveal her whereabouts.

Desiree and Early become lovers, and Desiree convinces Early to search for Stella because Desiree can’t understand how Stella could walk away from her family so easily. After the sisters reconcile in 1986, they never meet again. Desiree finally leaves her past behind after Adele’s death and makes a new start in Houston with Early. 

Stella begins life as the soft-spoken, studious twin. Always overshadowed by Desiree, Stella craves a life apart from her sister. When she realizes how easy it is to pass for White, she creates a new identity for herself. After marrying her former boss, she becomes the pampered wife of a rich man in Brentwood, California.

To preserve her privileged life, Stella must continuously lie to her husband and daughter.