Character Relationship Map: Bleeding Heart

Characters

• Shiva (played by Zosia Mamet) — protagonist

  Shiva is May's younger half-sister, separated from her by sharply different childhoods after spending time in foster homes. She reconnects with May and quickly forms a close bond, but her relationship...

• May (played by Jessica Biel) — protagonist

  May is a yoga instructor who was adopted into a wealthy family and later makes contact with her younger half-sister, Shiva. Although they bond quickly, May becomes uneasy about Cody and refuses to aba...

• Dex (played by Edi Gathegi) — supporting

  Dex is May's boyfriend and her partner in running a yoga school. He becomes uncomfortable around Shiva after learning about her past, placing him at odds with May's determination to stand by her siste...

• Cody (played by Joe Anderson) — supporting

  Cody is Shiva's boyfriend and a source of unease for May. May's discomfort with him contributes to the tension surrounding Shiva's return and makes the sisters' developing relationship more complicate...

Canonical Relationships

Family, romantic, and professional connections based on plot evidence.

• Shiva → Cody (Romantic Partners) — Cody's connection to Shiva contributes to May's unease and remains present at the moment Shiva and May affirm their bond.

  The character profile identifies Cody as Shiva's boyfriend. The plot ends with Cody calling while May and Shiva leave together.

• May → Dex (Romantic Partners In Conflict) — Their romantic and professional partnership is strained by opposing views about responsibility, money, and whether Shiva deserves help.

  May is described as having a loving boyfriend, Dex, and as running a yoga school with him. Their relationship comes under pressure when Dex objects to...

• May → Shiva (Half-Sisters And Chosen Family) — Their relationship develops from a difficult reconnection into a protective bond grounded in trust and chosen sisterhood.

  The character profile identifies Shiva as May's younger half-sister. The plot shows Shiva admitting she lied about being May's sister, while May says...

Story Dynamics

Alliances, conflicts, and narrative interactions that evolve throughout the story.

• May → Cody (Conflict Protective Rivalry) — May's protective concern for Shiva places her at odds with Cody's role in Shiva's life, even though their direct interaction is limited.

  The character profile states that May is uneasy about Cody and that her discomfort contributes to tension surrounding Shiva's return.

Story Analysis

May's search for family becomes a test of protection, judgment, and the meaning of chosen sisterhood.

Plot Progression

1. A Perfect Life Fractures — May appears to have a peaceful life, a loving boyfriend, and a yoga career. Her feeling that something is missing leads her toward a possible biological sister.
2. Protection Takes Root — May becomes involved in Shiva's difficult circumstances after seeing her threatened. She takes Shiva home and grows closer to her despite Dex's concerns.
3. Home and Values Collide — May gives Shiva money, but Dex objects after learning about Shiva's work. Their disagreement exposes competing ideas about responsibility, charity, and judgment.
4. Risk at the Breaking Point — May and Shiva face an armed threat and manage to take the weapon. May then turns back, choosing to confront the danger rather than simply escape.
5. Truth Becomes Sisterhood — Shiva reveals that she lied about being May's sister, but May accepts her regardless. They leave together with a bond based on trust rather than biology alone.