Month: May 2022

Young & The Restless Update

Recap written by Christine

Diane saw no point in asking Victor how he got into her suite, because she knew that was how he was. She’d been expecting him. She assumed Nikki ran straight to him after her encounter with Diane. Actually, Diane thought Victor would’ve come faster. She suggested he was slowing down, but he said he was as fast as he’d always been. Victor implied that he wanted Diane to get out of town. She said threatening helpless women wasn’t really his style. “Or is that what you’ve become these days? A common thug?,” she asked. He said he’d never threaten a helpless creature of any kind, but he considered her venomous. He told her to pack her bag before people found out she was back. She thought that if she stuck around long enough, people would tolerate her. She said Phyllis was putting up with her, and she was staying in Phyllis’ hotel. Victor was sure Phyllis was allowing that because it let her keep an eye on Diane. Diane was sure Nikki informed Victor that Diane changed. Victor said it was bull – people didn’t change after a few therapy sessions. “So only Newmans are allowed to changed,” Diane replied. She stated that Nikki had become a pious poster child for sobriety and clean living, and Adam had become a family man. Victor stated that it took many years for his wife and son to evolve. Diane had zero expectations from anyone in this town, so she said Victor could keep his threats to himself. She was only here to explain things to her son and ask his forgiveness.

Victor stated that Kyle was a Newman now. Diane knew that Victor was saying that because her son married his granddaughter. Victor said that meant Kyle would be accorded the security of a Newman, and Victor had Kyle’s back. Diane said she reunited with Kyle – Jack arranged it. Victor thought Jack made a mistake. Diane didn’t think so. The conversation with Kyle went well. She said she wasn’t going to interfere and make Kyle upset. Victor said Diane was delusional if she thought she could bring people peace and happiness, especially Kyle. Diane said she meant no harm. Victor reiterated that Diane should get the hell out of town. “You know who I am and you know what I’m capable of. That’s far more than sneaking into your hotel suite,” Victor stated. He left.

Mariah ran into Kyle at Society. He was sitting at the bar, staring off into space, until she called his name and said she had no idea he was home from Milan. She hugged him and said they had so much to catch up on. Kyle missed Mariah. He claimed he was here on business. She asked where Snowflake was. He said Summer was wonderful, and she had to stay in Italy to oversee the new Marchetti launch. She asked how long he was here for. He wasn’t sure. She hoped it would take a long time, because she wanted him to be here for her wedding on May 13^th. She said he was the first champion of her and Tessa’s love, and the wedding wouldn’t be the same without him.

Kyle promised to do everything in his power to be there for the wedding. He didn’t realize a date had been set. Mariah said it had come together quickly, which was why he hadn’t gotten a save the date email. She said there had been some complications. He assumed she meant Rey’s death. He was sorry. He talked to Lola, and she was devastated. He asked how Mariah was. She was in shock, and she missed Rey, but she was mostly concerned for Sharon. They wanted to put the wedding back, but Sharon wanted to keep it on schedule. Kyle understood needing a touchstone when your life turned upside down. Mariah alluded to wanting Kyle to be part of the wedding. He assumed she wanted him to be her man of honor, and he said yes. That wasn’t what she wanted. She asked him to officiate the wedding.

Kyle was honored, but he wasn’t sure if he could say yes. He was dealing with some personal things, and he couldn’t commit to such an important role. Mariah asked if he and Summer were having problems. He said they were great. She knew they hadn’t talked a lot lately, but she could always count on him, and she hoped he felt the same way about her. He did feel the same way. He asked if they could go talk at the house. He could use her friendship right now. They went to the Abbott mansion, where he revealed that his mom was alive and in town to make amends. Mariah was stunned, and she thought it was messed up for Diane to fake her death. Kyle said Diane had a lot of explanations, and he thought most of them were garbage, but some of them got to him. He wondered if it was possible for someone to change that much. Mariah didn’t know. She liked to think so. She was so sorry this was happening to Kyle. Mariah said even if Diane had explanations, that didn’t mean those were answers.

Mariah thought Diane was asking a lot by hoping for a mother-son relationship. Kyle agreed and said that was why he was drinking in the middle of the afternoon and didn’t know which way was up. Mariah asked what Kyle was going to do and how to support him. His instinct was to welcome his mom back into his life. There were so many things he missed out on as a kid. Mariah understood it must feel like a fairy tale and a second chance. Kyle said Mariah understood. Jack was nervous about this, but Kyle asked how he could turn down the opportunity for a new relationship. Kyle said it was kind of like when he found out he had a whole son he didn’t know about. Mariah noted that Harrison didn’t fake his death. Kyle knew and he also knew fairy tales weren’t real, but this was everything he wished for as a kid. Mariah was afraid Kyle was setting himself up to be hurt. She asked how he could trust Diane and why he’d let her anywhere near Summer and Harrison.

Back at her room, Diane called Jack and left a message. She said Kyle’s reaction wasn’t what she’d hoped for, but she guessed it was all she could expect right now. She did what she came to do, and she hoped there would be more in the future, but she guessed there would be no guarantees, so she was going back to Los Angeles tomorrow.

Sally and Adam were in their hotel suite. She wondered why sneaking away to a hotel in the middle of the day was so sexy. He said having a suite in Phyllis’s hotel without her knowing made it extra hot. She noted that they’d recently admitted to each other that they were falling in love. She asked if they were becoming a couple. He didn’t know. He wasn’t expecting any of this. They thought about how all their declarations that they were strictly professional didn’t work out. He teased that he’d sold it better than she did, but she didn’t agree. She said all her assurances to him, Chloe and Chelsea were legit because she didn’t want to ruin her chances at Newman Media. She said that what had been most important to her was not ruining her chances with what she really wanted – Adam.

Adam said he and Sally had to get back to work. Before they left, she wanted to know how it went with Sharon. He said it was hard. Sally didn’t want to pry. Adam said it was fine. He said Sharon was in a lot of pain, and Rey was a good man, so she was struggling. Adam was glad he went to Sharon. Sharon said he was the first one she broke down in front of. Adam sensed that Sally didn’t really want to hear this, but she assured him that she did. She wanted him to feel like he could tell her anything. She said openness was the basis of their relationship. That was why she told him about her terminal illness scam, and she hoped that was why he told her about his. She was here if she needed to talk. He thanked her.

Sally said she wasn’t jealous of Sharon or Chelsea. It might sound cocky, but she was pretty confident in their relationship. Adam said that was good to hear, and this was different for him. At various times, he’d been married and obsessed and destructive and detached but this thing with Sally was different – maybe because it began slowly. It felt right. She asked if he felt guilty because they were happy while Sharon was suffering and alone. He said seeing Sharon may have convinced him that he and Sally were taking things too slowly. It might be why he confessed he was falling in love with her. Life could change in an instant, so he didn’t think they should worry about what other people thought. She agreed and they kissed and fell back on the bed.

Billy and Victoria ran into each other at Crimson Lights. He was glad to see she was walking around. He asked if she was doing okay. She was doing well, all things considered. He brought up Rey’s tragic death, and she said she wished she’d never been on the road, because maybe things would’ve turned out differently. Billy told Victoria that it wasn’t her fault. He did wonder why she was on the road though, since that wasn’t her usual route home. He asked if Ashland had been following her.

Victoria didn’t want to recount the accident anymore. Billy felt like Victoria was trying to avoid him, since she broke down and told him about Ashland’s scam. He asked if she regretted having that talk with him. Smirking, she said she regretted most of her conversations with him. He hoped that wasn’t true. He liked being there for her, which was only fair after the amount of times she’d been there for him over the years. He hoped she knew she could confide in him. She did. He asked if Ashland was still in her life.

Victoria didn’t want to go into detail, but she said Ashland was leaving Newman Locke and they were having the marriage annulled. Billy was relieved. He hoped that meant Victoria finally believed the truth about Ashland and that he was leaving town. Victoria didn’t know. She hadn’t talked to him. He asked if she hadn’t talked to Ashland since the accident. She admitted they talked briefly. He wanted to know how briefly, and she said it was none of his concern. He knew she must be conflicted because Ashland saved her life, but Billy said that didn’t erase the lies. Victoria didn’t want to be psychoanalyzed. He apologized. She thought he was only doing this to say “I told you so.” She knew he warned her and Nick did too. She also knew she should’ve listened to them, but the past was the past, so all she could do was move forward. She got up to leave. Lily walked in and said she was sorry about the accident and hoped Victoria felt better. Victoria’s terse reply was that Lily could ask Billy about it since he seemed to know everything. Victoria left.

Lily asked what was going on. Billy thought Victoria was being sensitive. He swore he didn’t say anything bad to Victoria – he just showed concern for the mother of his children. He said he inadvertently hit a nerve when he brought up Ashland. Lily assumed Victoria didn’t think it was any of Billy’s business and that she didn’t want him looking for ways to blame Ashland. Billy said it was so easy because Ashland was a criminal. Billy thought this situation was going to affect Victoria’s judgment. Lily said Victoria was still the same smart savvy woman. He knew. Lily wondered if he was going to eventually decide that she couldn’t solve her own problems and interfere, whether she wanted him to or not.

Billy said this wasn’t a pattern with him. He never doubted Lily’s ability to solve issues, and he was aware the women in his life were smarter and more capable than him, but that didn’t mean he wasn’t concerned about Ashland. She knew he didn’t trust Ashland. He said it was past that – he had a deep hatred for Ashland – he lied about having cancer, which must strike a chord with Lily. Lily said it did, but she didn’t understand why that meant Billy had to interfere. Billy didn’t think he was doing that. He said he was advising Victoria, and she could choose to listen or not. “Victor is interfering. I’m not that bad,” he said. “Not yet,” she replied. He admitted he and Victor might end up on the same side – doing everything they could to get Ashland out of town. He said that Ashland was still here, despite getting kicked out of the company and having the marriage annulled – he’d been following Victoria the night of the accident. Billy thought Ashland was up to something, maybe plotting revenge.

Lily despised what Ashland did, especially as a cancer survivor. However, she said that she and Billy agreed that he’d let this go, because if he didn’t, he’d fixate on it. “I am asking you for the last time – please stop,” she said.

Billy went to The Grand Phoenix and ran into Ashland.

At Newman Media, Victor called Adam and asked where he was. Nikki came in and asked if Victor had seen Victoria. At that moment, Victoria walked in. Victoria had been avoiding the calls and messages because she didn’t want to be lectured about Ashland. Nikki said that this was about Rey, not Ashland. Victoria didn’t want to get into it. She thought it was clear that the accident was her fault. Nikki revealed that Rey died of a heart attack, that caused the accident. Victoria felt relief, and she felt terrible that this was her first reaction. Nikki thought it was natural to feel relief. Victoria said that this accident was still a tragedy, and it would take a little bit of time for her to put it behind her. Nikki understood that. She wished she could stay, but she had a meeting. Nikki left.

Victoria came to talk to Adam, and since he wasn’t here, she decided to leave. Victor said no, because they needed to have a talk about Adam’s position at Newman Locke. Victoria actually came to tell Adam that his services as CEO were no longer needed. Victor thought that was a mistake. Victoria said she was ready to go back to work. Victor admired that, but he said she had a lot on her plate. He wanted Adam to be co-CEO. He thought it was time for the Newmans to show a united front. Victoria didn’t want or need Adam in the mix. She was doing fine before Ashland came on board, and she’d be fine now. She said she was going to remove Locke’s name from the business and go back to Newman Enterprises. Victor liked that, however, he said they still had to discuss Adam’s role. Victoria said Adam had no role here, and if Victor forced the issue, he had to make a choice between her and Adam.

Victor got worked up because he thought Victoria was acting rashly. She said she knew how she felt. He said she found out Ashland lied, then she nearly got killed in a car accident – two traumas. He asked why she was being so stubborn and refusing Adam’s help. She said her injuries weren’t that severe. He wasn’t just talking about her physical pain. She said Ashland was out of her life. Victor knew Ashland snuck into Victoria’s office. He was sure aAshland would continue to play on Victoria’s emotions, and he wasn’t sure she’d purged herself of him. She got fed up with him second guessing her emotions. She said if he chose Adam, that was fine, but she’d leave and she wouldn’t look back. She headed toward the door. Adam came in and said it was good to see Victoria up and about. He asked what he missed. Victoria said their dad would fill him in. She left.

Victor told Adam they had a problem. Adam assumed Victoria had no interest in him staying on in a leadership role. Victor wanted to discuss that later, because they had an urgent matter to discuss – Diane Jenkins was alive and back in town.

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Young & The Restless Update

Recap written by Christine

At Newman Media, Adam was angry that Victoria gave Nikki the co-CEO position that he thought should’ve gone to him. Sally asked if Victor backed Victoria up. While Victoria said that it was a unilateral decision, Adam knew Victor had to have signed off on it. Adam felt like Victor was playing another mind game and leaving Adam out in the cold. Sally noted that Victoria let Ashland get his hooks into the company, and now she was going back to business like she didn’t cause all this chaos. Adam didn’t know why he wasted his time hoping his family would give him a chance. Sally said Adam didn’t need any of them. She suggested he cut ties with the Newmans and strike out on his own.

Adam said he’d done that more than once, and he wasn’t sure he wanted to do so again. He said that Victor had a blind acceptance of Victoria’s leadership, no matter how often she screwed up. He felt like if he walked away, he’d be letting Victoria win. Sally asked if that would be the worst thing. Adam said Victoria refused to acknowledge that he saved her by getting Locke out of the way. He didn’t see why he should give her what she wanted by quitting. Sally said Adam had done way too much to prove himself to his family, and it was never enough. He sarcastically thanked her for rubbing it in. Her point was that he shouldn’t stick around if the Newmans weren’t going to show him the respect he deserved. He asked if he’d really be okay with him quitting his job and leaving her here to deal with her family.

Sally hated hypotheticals. Adam still wanted an answer. Sally said she’d keep her job if he quit, and she’d try to win over his family. He asked why. She said she loved her job, and she had faith they’d be successful wherever they chose to be. She asked if he knew how rare it was to find someone who thought the way you did, who wanted what you want and made you laugh. She asked if he ever met anyone like that. He said yes – once. She smiled. For the first time, Sally felt like she was meeting someone on their level. She said she didn’t need him to be the good or bad version of himself, or what everyone else expected of him. She just wanted him – all of him. He said knowing she was willing to brave his family should make the decision to walk away easier, but it felt different this time. He was older and wiser, and he knew someone had his back. He felt like if he walked away, he’d be giving up. He suggested he might also be falling for his dad’s games and looking for his approval. He wasn’t sure if he could ignore the challenge Victoria threw down by hiring Nikki over him. Sally said if Adam chose to fight, she’d still be here, and if he walked away, she’d stand by him. He took her hand. He said the only thing he had to consider was what was best for himself. She said she’d continue to tell him he deserved better. She kissed him.

Diane had a nightmare that Jack and Kyle had her arrested for child abandonment. Jack accused Diane of leaving Kyle because she didn’t have the patience to raise him. Diane argued that she was a good person now. Jack said she turned her back on Kyle. Diane swore she walked away because it was what was best for Kyle. Diane struggled in the grip of the police officer and begged Kyle for a second chance. The cop told Diane that letting her son think she was dead was as low as it could get. He read her her rights. Kyle snarled that Diane was a liar. Diane begged and pleaded as she was dragged away. She woke up and grabbed her phone.

At the Abbott house, Jack said to Kyle that it wasn’t easy to raise your son to have opinions of his own, then watch him grow up and make decisions that made you a little nervous. Kyle smiled. He knew Harrison would get there, and he was already dreading it. Later, Kyle took one of Harrison’s cookies, and Jack teased him. Kyle said he wouldn’t tell, then he said didn’t want to keep things from his son. He liked to think he didn’t inherit his mother’s bad habits. Every time Kyle closed his eyes, he thought about the awful things Diane did. Kyle said the last time he saw Diane, as a child, before she’d changed his name and sent him away, she promised she was going to join him. Instead, she chose to vanish and let him think she died. Jack asked if Diane shared her reasoning. Kyle said her reasons sounded plausible and rehearsed, like she’d been waiting a long time to say them to him. Kyle wanted to know how Jack felt about this.

Jack had promised himself he wouldn’t interfere and try to influence Kyle. Kyle appreciated that Jack put his own feelings aside, but now Kyle needed to figure out whether he thought Diane really changed into a good person, or if the child in him just wished it was true. Kyle noted that Harrison said dads have all the answers. Jack told Kyle to cherish that. Jack had been puzzling over the same questions Kyle was asking himself. Jack said he’d asked for the benefit of the doubt more times than he could count. He’d tried to put himself in Diane’s shoes and asked himself why he’d leave his child. Kyle said Diane’s original plan, which she’d worked out with Adam, was to fake her own death and take Kyle with her. Jack said Diane claimed she changed her mind because she didn’t want Kyle to grow up living on the run. Jack said Diane knew he would never give up looking for her and Kyle. Kyle thought Diane should’ve come to him and told him that. Jack wasn’t sure Kyle would’ve understood, since he’d been so young. Jack asked if Kyle thought it would’ve been any easier to know that Diane was out there somewhere without him. Jack thought that if Kyle knew all along that Diane was alive and on the run, he would’ve spent his life asking questions, and he would’ve grown into a completely different person. Jack loved the person Kyle became. Jack said maybe, this one time, Diane made the right choice in leaving the way she did.

Jack didn’t condone any of the other things Diane did and he offered up no opinions on her as a person. He said she hurt a lot of people in a lot of ways. Jack wasn’t sure he’d have ever seen Kyle again, if Diane had stuck to her original plan and taken him with her. Jack couldn’t help thinking about his own mother. He’d been so angry at her for leaving him behind. When she returned, he’d wanted to slam the door in her face. It was a miracle that they reconciled, and he found forgiveness and understanding, and it was one of the greatest gifts of his life. Jack wanted that for Kyle. Jack wasn’t saying Diane changed, but he believed the decision to leave Kyle was the toughest one she ever made in her life. He knew that wasn’t the simple answer Kyle wanted from him, but there was nothing simple about this. Kyle said it would be cool if they could run a simulation of what a future with his mother would look like. Jack asked how they’d do that. Kyle said they’d put Diane through the full Abbott test.

Diane got a text from Kyle inviting her over to the house.

Billy met Lily at Society. She heard his podcast, which was called the Grinning Soul. He asked if he was in the doghouse. She said she was concerned. He said the numbers for the podcast were good, and he’d altered his voice and kept the names and locations anonymous. Lily said people close to the situation would know the podcast was about Ashland. “If the sociopathic shoe fits,” Billy replied.

Billy said the point of the podcast was to give him an outlet to discuss the things he shouldn’t publicly comment on. Lily wasn’t sold on the idea of two Billys being better than one. He said Billy 1 was her right hand man, while Billy 2 was an untamed rebel. Lily loved the idea of an anonymous podcast, but she noted that he had a confrontation with Ashland, then he immediately talked about it on his podcast. She was sure anyone could connect the dots. He was sure the average listener wouldn’t figure out that it was Ashland. Lily liked the message the podcast sent, but she told Billy not to be surprised if people, like Victoria, figured out he was the Grinning Soul.

Billy reminded Lily that she requested they not talk about Victoria. Lily asked how Victoria would look if people figured out the stories were about her. Billy thought people would see her as sympathetic – a loving partner deceived by the most heinous of men. He hoped Victoria would appreciate the fact that he wasn’t personally getting involved in her problems. Lily asked what if Ashland figured out Billy was behind the podcast. Billy hoped Ashland did figure it out. Billy wished he could see the look on Ashland’s face when he realized he was the monster under the bed and that everyone was recoiling at lies he perpetrated his entire life. Billy said Ashland needed to know actions had consequences.

Lily was angry that Ashland profited from lying about cancer, but she didn’t like the idea of Billy possibly losing his platform because he wasn’t being careful about how he was disseminating this information. He didn’t think the podcast would be a blip on Victoria’s radar, since she had other things on her mind. Jack called Billy and summoned him to the Abbott house. Billy suggested he was in the middle of something. Jack said nothing was more important than supporting Kyle. Traci, Ashley and Abby were already on their way. Billy said he’d be there as soon as he could. Billy told Lily about the family meeting. She reminded him that there was a Chancellor-Winters meeting. He asked if he could get a pass on it, but she said she needed her COO. He said he’d just meet his family later, since Lily and Chancellor-Winters were his top priority.

Adam and Sally rented a hotel suite and were headed upstairs when Adam saw Diane. He welcomed her to the resurrection club. She expected him to be more shocked to see her. He said that his father let him know. He noted that she’d left town in a way that implicated him in her death. He’d wanted to send her a Bite Me card, but he didn’t know the address to Hell. She said she regretted many things about that time. He asked how she could look at herself in the mirror. At the time, she’d justified her actions by telling herself that Adam was very resourceful, though she knew that wasn’t an excuse. He said half the people in the town wanted her dead back then, so it was impressive when they all thought she died. He said the rule of resurrection club was not to come back once you escaped. Sally silently took in all this information, with an intrigued look.

Sally walked up and introduced herself as Adam’s coworker. Diane assumed things had progressed beyond that since Adam and Sally were headed upstairs. Adam said Diane had nerve – coming to town and staying in Phyllis’s hotel. Diane said he was here for Kyle, not to cause trouble. Adam noted that he and Diane made a plan for her to start a new life with Kyle, but instead, she’d abandoned her son. Diane didn’t try to justify what she did. She wasn’t proud of her past actions, and she thought Adam could understand that. He said she wasn’t above taking potshots and her former co-conspirator. Diane wasn’t doing that – she’d kept up with things in Genoa City, and she knew he’d worked hard t turn over a new leaf. She just wanted what everyone gave him – a second chance. He hoped that was true. He didn’t have the same kind of beef with her that everyone else did. He wished her luck. She left.

Sally and Adam went upstairs to their room and kissed and disrobed. Later, they cuddled in bed, and he asked how she was so perfect. He didn’t mean her beautiful face or her body. He said that she didn’t bombard him with questions about Diane. She said she knew he’d tell her when the time was right. He asked if she was ready. She was more than ready – she’d been dying to know more from the moment she heard about Diane. He said Diane was driven and obsessed, and she’d stop at nothing to get what she wanted, but not in a good way, like Sally. He said he and Diane worked together to make it look like Victor was dead to drive down the price of Newman stock, and they made a sizable profit. He agreed to help her evade Jack and start a new life with her son. He did a lot of things he wasn’t proud of, but he thought that scheme was semi-noble. He was a wrok in progress. He was glad Sally was in his corner – it was nice being with someone who was meeitng him on his level. She asked what he was going to do about his family’s latest move. He wasn’t sure. She said she’d take this ride with him. They kissed.

Traci, Ashley and Abby arrived at the Abbott house. Kyle and Jack explained that Diane was on her way. Ashley couldn’t believe Diane would have the nerve to come to town, let alone to this house. Kyle said she’d already been here. It wasn’t his first time seeing his mother. Ashley vowed to make sure this was his last time seeing Diane. Abby never would’ve come if she’d known Diane was coming. That was why Jack didn’t tell her. Kyle explained that Diane claimed she changed and she wanted forgiveness. Ashley hoped Kyle knew that Diane was lying. Abby asked how Kyle felt about this. Ashley was sure Diane just wanted to use Kyle. Kyle wasn’t sure what to think. Abby suggested that Diane wanted to do the right thing. Jack said Diane had made a compelling case for herself. Ashley scoffed. Jack shared Ashley’s skepticism, but he noted that he and his sisters knew what it was like to be estranged from their mother. Ashley ordered Jack not to go there. “I know our mother was a piece of work but she’s nothing compared to Diane,” Ashley argued. Traci stepped in to keep the peace and apologized to Kyle. Abby said they all wanted to support Kyle, no matter what he chose. Ashley apologized and asked how Kyle was feeling. He didn’t know if Diane was lying, and that was why he called all of them here. It was one thing for Diane to feed Kyle a bunch of rehearsed lines, but it was another to have to face him and his family. Kyle wanted to see how Diane handled herself with the people who’d seen her at her worst and see if she’d sincerely changed.

Diane was running late, and Ashley hoped that meant she’d gotten kicked out of town. Jack told Ashley to be nice. Kyle added that he didn’t want them to bombard Diane with old grievances, because that wasn’t going to get them anywhere. Abby loathed Diane too, but she said athey were here to help Kyle discover the truth. Ashley said they’d help Kyle when he realized his mother was heartless. Ashley said Diane’s soul was a deep dark abyss, and she didn’t believe Diane transformed.

Diane arrived, and she was startled when she saw everyone waiting for her. “Welcome back, bitch” Ashley said. Diane took it in stride. Traci greeted Diane in a more neutral way. Kyle said that if he was going to let Diane back in his life, it was going to affect his entire family. Diane had no desire to cause any problems with the Abbotts. Kyle said that her presence affected all of them, and they’d have to decide whether they thought she was a different person now.

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Young & The Restless Update

Recap written by Christine

Noah joined Mariah on the Crimson Lights patio. Mariah asked about Sharon. He said that she wasn’t eating much, but when he left, Nick had come by to make her breakfast. According to Noah, Faith said she could hear Sharon pacing around the house last night. Mariah said that if anyone could get Sharon to eat it was Nick. Mariah was working on a playlist for the wedding, and it was hard to narrow it down. Noah suggested asking Sharon to help, since she could use the distraction. Mariah doubted that would work, but she said she’d think about it. Tessa came in with good news – her sister Crystal could come to the wedding. Mariah was confused because Tessa helped Crystal flee to Canada. Tessa said all the charges against Crystal were dropped, and Zack’s last known associate from the sex trafficking ring was arrested. Crystal could come and go as she pleased now. Tessa said not only was Crystal safe, the way it happened was even more amazing.

Sharon came downstairs in sweats and found Nick in her living room. He offered her breakfast. She wasn’t hungry, but he told her he already started making his famous chocolate chip pancakes, and he knew she couldn’t resist. She smiled sadly. Later, Nick gently called Sharon out on barely eating her food, instead just moving it around on her plate. She told him he didn’t have to treat her like one of his kids. Noah, Mariah and Tessa showed up. Tessa shared that Crystal could be the maid of honor at the wedding. Tessa said it was a miracle, because Rey was instrumental in making this happen. Tessa explained that, according to Crystal, Rey found her case in the cold case files, and he went to Michael and convinced him that there wasn’t enough evidence to convict her. Michael went to the DA and got him to drop the charges. Sharon said that was amazing, but she asked what about the dangerous group that was after Crystal. Tessa said Rey tracked down the last of that group and arrested him, so Crystal was safe. Sharon was moved. She had no idea Rey had been working the case. Tessa wondered if he wanted it to be a surprise. Nick suggested that Rey didn’t say anything because he didn’t want to get everyone’s hopes up. Sharon said even now, Rey was here protecting them. She thought his last gesture proved even more profoundly what an amazing man he was.

Sharon wanted to hold a small memorial service to Rey, but she’d need all their help to do it. She wanted to do it before she accompanied Rey to Miami. Mariah noted that that was tomorrow. Sharon knew, so she wanted to do it today. She thought Rey’s family in Genoa City should pay tribute to him before she brought him to his other home. She got choked up, and Nick said that they’d absolutely help.

Inside Crimson Lights, Ashland approached Victoria and asked if it was okay to ask how she was doing. She said she was stronger every day – the human capacity to recover was astounding. He knew he was one of many things she was recovering from. He said her fortitude was a large part of what made him fall in love with her. He was just sorry he was the reason she had to rely on it so much now. She looked at his bandaged hand, and he told her not to worry – he was recovering quite nicely. She sniped that he had a knack for miraculous recoveries. She wondered why he was still in town. She hoped he wasn’t under the delusion that she was going to forgive him. He said it was hard for him to let go of that, almost as hard as pretending he didn’t love her.

Victoria was sure Ashland would find a way to let go, since he was the master of reinvention, and he had the means to do so, thanks to her father’s money. He didn’t have the will or strength to reinvent himself again. She told him to stop making this so hard on them both. She said that if he really loved her, he should take his blood money and leave town. She hurried toward the door, where she ran into Adam, who apparently wanted to talk about the co-CEO position. She said there was nothing to discuss. She was appointing her mother. He wanted to have a conversation, and she said it would be a waste of time. He wondered what their dad would have to say. She said it didn’t matter, since this was her decision. She left. Ashland watched the whole interaction from a distance.

Ashland said that he and Adam looked pathetic, like a couple of lapdogs hoping Victoria would give them what they deserved. Adam didn’t know what Ashland was talking about. Ashland assumed Adam still thought he should be co-CEO of Newman Locke, or temporary CEO, or whatever fake title he was trying to grovel for. Adam said that the Locke name had been jettisoned from the company, and it was all Newman now. Ashland knew Victoria well enough to know she wouldn’t let Adam retain any title or power in her company. Adam said that Victoria hired Nikki. Adam guessed he and Ashland both got screwed, but he added that he was still head of the newly expanded Newman Media, while Ashland just had Victor’s money to keep him warm.Ashland stood by his original comparison – Victoria rejected them both. Adam didn’t want to be compared to Ashland. He said Ashland broke Victoria’s spirit. Ashland said he signed a deal Adam presented behind Victoria’s back. Adam said Ashland was never going to cleanse his actions in Victoria’s heart, so he should give up trying. Adam left. Ashland texted Nick asking to meet.

Back at the cottage, Nick told everyone about his text from Ashland. Nick had no interest in meeting Ashland. He wanted to stay and plan the memorial. Sharon thought Nick should go and find out what Ashland wanted. She appreciated him being there for her this morning, and she assured him she’d be fine, since she had the kids with her. He replied and set up a meeting at Society. he left. Sharon booked the church. She didn’t want anything formal or sad. She wanted the service to be quietly joyful, like Rey. She asked Tessa to sing one of Rey’s favorite songs, and she said yes. Noah was going to make a slide show. Sharon wasn’t sure she was ready to make a speech. She wondered if that was terrible. Mariah and Noah assured her it was fine. Noah went to a memorial service that set aside a time for quiet contemplation, and anyone who felt compelled to speak could. Sharon said Rey would really love that idea. She felt lucky and blessed to have such a strong, supportive and talented family.

Tessa and Mariah were back at Crimson Lights. they couldn’t believe Rey was gone and that they were moving forward with the wedding while they were still so devastated. Tessa was grateful they could be there for Sharon. Sharon had said the memorial was part of her process of letting go.

Sharon was home alone. She went to the wedding photo and told Rey she missed him so much and felt his spirit in every room. When she came home, she expected him to be there, and when she heard a noise, she thought it was him, then she’d remember that he was gone. His coffee cup was still sitting by the sink, where he left it. She couldn’t bring herself to put it away. She hoped he didn’t suffer, and she hoped he knew how loved he’d always be. She knew his spirit would always be with her. She could just see him smiling at her. She said he’d been disinterested in her obsession with finding the perfect wedding gift, because he already had something in the works. Smiling through tears, she said she should be mad at him for keeping that secret, but she could never be mad at him again. She remembered the pep talks he used to give her when she was sick. She wasn’t sure how she’d manage without her precious husband, but she resolved to find a way.

Victoria went to work and stopped short when she saw a new portrait of herself hanging on the wall. Nikki entered and said Victor had it commissioned and put a rush on it. Her parents understood why she destroyed the one Locke commissioned, but they thought it needed to be replaced. Nikki said Ashland may have broken Victoria’s heart, but he didn’t destroy her spirit or strength of leadership. Victoria appreciated the gift, but she was surprised Victor did that for her after he’d been determined to shove Adam down her throat as co-CEO, basically saying he’d lost confidence in her. Nikki said that wasn’t true. Victor accepted that Nikki would take the position, though the was disappointed there was antagonism between Adam and Victoria. Victoria was surprised that Victor wasn’t going to fight her on this. Nikki said Victoria had been through a lot, and Victor wanting to bring in a co-CEO had nothing to do with a lack of confidence – he just wanted her to have the time and space to deal with everything that happened.

Chelsea met Chloe at Crimson Lights. Chelsea was late. She didn’t sleep well last night. Chloe thought it was clear that Rey’s death was hitting Chelsea harder than she wanted to admit. Chelsea said of course it was affecting her – Rey was one of her best friends. Chloe understood, but she said Chelsea had to pull herself together for herself and for Connor. Chelsea said Connor still felt guilty, even though they told him that Rey’s heart attack would’ve happened no matter what. Chelsea thought Connor was too young to understand. Chloe asked how this was affecting Connor’s behavior. Chelsea said Connor quit hockey. She thought he felt like he didn’t deserve to enjoy it anymore. Chloe was sympathetic. Chelsea asked Noah to take Connor to play at the rink. She wanted Connor to understand that Rey would want him to play. Chloe asked how Chelsea was dealing with her own guilt. Chloe knew Chelsea and Rey were friends, but Chelsea’s reaction went much deeper than that.

Chelsea got defensive and said she and Rey were just friends, so of course it was affecting her deeply. She asked if Chloe was saying she was wrong to feel that way. Chloe wasn’t judging; she just didn’t realize Chelsea and Rey were that close. Chelsea said Rey was supportive when he should’ve hated her – he accompanied her and Connor to visit her mom, and when they got back, he’d seek her out just to check on her. Rey and Chelsea had deep conversations, and he encouraged and inspired her. He bonded with Connor and convinced her she could turn her life around. He told her she was a god mom even after the terrible things she did. He gave her hope she’d be accepted again. That car crash and heart attack ripped that hope away. Chloe knew Chelsea well, and she suspected Chelsea was falling in love with Rey. Chelsea vehemently denied it. She said Rey was happily married to Sharon, and it was his loyalty that made him trustworthy and such a great friend. Chloe was talking about feelings, not actions – she wasn’t accusing Chelsea of doing anything. Chelsea put a stop to the conversation, and they began to talk business.

Ashland arrived at Society. “Look at him. Alive and well wile a good man like Rey is gone,” Chelsea griped to Chloe. Chloe said that Rey’s death wasn’t Ashland and Victoria’s fault. Chelsea wondered if Ashland went back to help Rey. The news made Ashland sound like a hero for rescuing Victoria, but did even try to help Rey, or give him CPR? Maybe Rey could’ve been saved. Chloe told Chelsea to stop fixating on that night. Chelsea got even more tense because she thought Chloe was accusing her of being obsessed. Chloe said to relax – she wasn’t diagnosing Chelsea, but she thought Chelsea was close to going over the edge. Chloe thought Chelsea’s feelings were natural, but Chloe was trying to interrupt this unhealthy cycle before it went further. Chelsea admitted that Chloe was right. Chelsea decided to go home and sleep before they met with Lauren later.

Nick went to Society and met Ashland at the bar. Ashland appreciated Nick coming. Nick was there to find out if he needed to protect his sister or the rest of his family from Ashland. Nick said he’d prefer Ashland coming to him from now on instead of upsetting Victoria more than he already had. Ashland said he had something of great importance and benefit to offer Nick, no strings attached. Ashland wanted to donate half the money he received from Victor to New Hope. Ashland said Nick could use it for whatever the community needed. Nick found it hard to believe Ashland was offering him two hundred and fifty million dollars no strings attached. He said Ashland could go straight to hell. Ashland asked if Nick was so proud and stubborn that he’d turn his back on a quarter of a billion dollars. Ashland’s one caveat was that all the work be done in Rey’s name. Ashland was ready to transfer the money to New Hope right now. Nick said he didn’t respond well to bribery, and he didn’t like dealing with people like him. Nick said Ashland was looking for redemption, and the payoff wasn’t worth the risk. Ashland asked if Nick was going to prioritize his hatred of Ashland over the needs of his own organization. Nick thought Ashland was pulling a clever move – Ashland knew that if Nick turned the money down, the community would miss out, but if he accepted it, he’d be complicit in Ashland’s attempt to absolve himself. Ashland said to think about it. Nick left.

Nick went to Newman Enterprises and told Victoria and Nikki about Ashland’s offer. Nikki was appalled that Ashland was trying to take advantage of Rey’s death to clear his name. Nick was going to turn Ashland down and make it clear that he couldn’t buy his way back into everyone’s good graces. Victoria thought that Nick should take the money. Nick was concerned Victoria was falling for this ploy. Victoria said Ashland was never going to be able to buy back her forgiveness, but she thought that they should put the money to good. Nick said they couldn’t use dirty money. Victoria thought it was worth it to use the money to do good in Rey’s name.

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Young & The Restless Update

Recap written by Christine

At Newman Media, Adam was surprised to hear Diane was alive. He asked how she pulled this off and why she was back. Victor said Diane claimed she wanted to reunite with Kyle, but he didn’t know her true motives. Sally walked in and wanted to know what was going on. Adam told her that Kyle’s mother was actually alive. Sally asked if this was this Jack’s ex wife. Adam said it never got that far, but Diane married Victor, and she dated Nick. Victor put a stop to the history lesson. He said Diane was dangerous, and he told Adam to stay away from her, lest she try and use their connection to wrangle something out of him. Sally was curious about Adam and Diane’s connection. He said they didn’t really have one. Adam assured his father he had no interest in Diane. He shifted gears and asked about Victor and Victoria’s conversation. Victor said Victoria wasn’t very fond of Adam.

Adam didn’t know why Victoria saw him as a threat. Victor said that Adam bore some responsibility for that. Victor acknowledged that Adam’s brilliant idea to pay Ashland bought them some time, but Adam went behind Victoria’s back to do it. Sally said that if Adam had consulted to Victoria, she would’ve shot down his idea. Victor thought that was probably true. Adam thought the important thing was that they all worked together to neutralize Ashland. Victor said he encouraged Victoria to make Adam co-CEO, but she said she’d rather resign. Adam and Sally shared a look.

Sally suggested calling Victoria’s bluff. Sally found it hard to believe Victoria would give up on her dream job just because she had to share it with her smart capable brother. “Have you met my sister?,” Adam replied. Victor said the last thing they needed was a public conflict over control of the company. Adam asked if that meant there was no chance for him to advance and if all the ideas he had for the company were just going to die. Victor said Adam had to show Victoria that he was loyal to her and convince her that he had good ideas.

After Victor left, Adam admitted he’d been kind of thrown by the Diane thing. Sally noted that, like Diane, Adam also used to be dead. Adam said there were quite a few similarities between Diane and the man he used to be. Sally was eager to hear more, but Adam said they’d talk about it another time. He wanted to talk about Victoria. He’d miscalculated; he thought Victor was going to be ready to throw Victoria in the penalty box for the mess she created with Ashland. Sally thought it made sense that Victor was protective of Victoria, considering he almost lost her in the car accident. Sally said the bright side was that Victor had Adam’s back and was championing him to Victoria. She said he just had to win Victoria over. He said Victoria was stubborn – it was a Newman trait. She said he was charming and persuasive, so those must be Newman traits too.

At The Grand Phoenix, Billy assumed Ashland was staying at the hotel because Victoria threw him out. Ashland sarcastically praised Billy’s power of deduction. Billy asked why Ashland was still in town. Ashland had his reasons, which were none of Billy’s business. Billy told Ashland to stay the hell away from Victoria. Ashland said it was abundantly clear that Billy was still in love with Victoria. Ashland wondered if Lily had noticed and if she resented the fact that Billy kept barging in to protect his ex. Billy said he and Lily were fine, and he wasn’t worried about Victoria’s ability to deal with Ashland. Billy warned Ashland that he was playing with fire. Ashland stated that Victoria was not nearly as angry with him as Billy thought. Billy asked what about Victor – the one who stood there and watched Ashland gasp for air as he was having a heart attack, and that was before Ashland admitted to tricking Victoria. Billy said Ashland was on the top of Victor’s hit list, and that was not a fun place to be.

Billy went home and recorded his anonymous podcast about a run in he had today with a greedy, manipulative business mogul. Billy said it was like this guy didn’t trust his own business acumen, so he had to lie and deceive to get the upper hand. This person might get away with what they did. Billy said that if wealth and power gave a person blanket immunity, it was an indictment on them all.

At the Abbott house, Jack saw Diane’s voicemail but didn’t listen to it. Kyle came downstairs and said Harrison was playing with his new BFF Traci. Kyle appreciated Jack and Phyllis spending time with Harrison while Kyle was getting his bearings. Jack said it was their pleasure. Kyle wasn’t sure what to do about his mom. Jack stated that Diane took years to contemplate things before she sprung all this on Kyle, so Kyle should take all the time he needed. Jack offered to be a sounding board. Kyle wanted to take Jack up on that in the future, but he’d already spent a lot of time talking to Traci and Mariah today. Kyle had a lot of questions, and there was only one person who could answer them. Jack offered to go with Kyle, but Kyle thought Diane would be more forthcoming if they talked one on one. Jack agreed, and Kyle left. Ashland called Jack and asked if they could meet.

Kyle went to Diane’s suite. He saw she was packing up. She said she was leaving to give him space, unless he had a change of heart. He was just there to get some answers. He asked how he could know she really changed. Diane didn’t expect Kyle to trust or believe her. She said she deceived him when he was growing up, because she wanted him to see the kind and loving version of herself. He said it worked, because he’d thought she was the best mom ever. She’d been so angry with Phyllis when he read that expose she wrote about Diane’s exploits. Kyle had never been able to reconcile what he read with the version of Diane that he knew. He said she blackmailed people, committed arson and destroyed relationships and never seemed to care. She said he’d seen both sides of her now. She told him to ask her anything.

Kyle asked what kind of work Diane did on herself. She said she found a psychologist who called her out on her crap and forced her to look at herself. He asked how it went. She admitted she’d been offended and indignant for the first year of sessions, but deep down, she knew what the psychologist was saying she was true. Diane had to admit she wasn’t a victim, she was a narcissist. She realized that none of the things she was so desperate to get – money, attention, affection and power ever came to her. Her behavior left her broke, invisible and alone. Worst of all, it cost her the one pure unselfish joy she’d ever known – her life with her beautiful son. The realization was crushing, but it was the first step on the road that brought her back to him, asking for forgiveness. He appreciated what she was saying, but he asked what would happen if all the work she did didn’t get her what she wanted.

Diane said nothing would happen if Kyle turned her down – she’d leave him alone. He was skeptical. She said he mattered to her more than anything, and she’d learned the hard way that she shouldn’t try and force people to give her something she didn’t deserve. She said he didn’t owe her a thing. She’d love it if he forgave her and gave her a place in his life. She’d also try and make up for the hurt and damage she caused. He wasn’t sure if that was possible. He said it wasn’t that he didn’t want what she wanted – she was his mom and she loved him. He was wondering if the version of her he remembered was real or if it was just an act she put on because she needed the admiration of someone who was too young to know better. She said her love for him was never an act. He thought he was willing to leave the door open and give her a chance to prove she was who she said she was. “Please don’t go back to LA,” he asked. Diane was moved. She went to hug Kyle, then she thought better of it and pulled back.

Jack and Ashland met at Society. Jack said he was in the middle of a family emergency, so he couldn’t stay long. He assumed this was about Harrison. Ashland guessed that Jack hadn’t spoken to his brother and heard the news. Concerned, Jack asked if this was about Ashland’s health – had he taken a turn for the worse? Ashland cryptically said that he’d done some reprehensible things that came back to bite him, and deservedly so. He wanted to shield Harrison from the fallout. Jack asked Ashland to stop dancing around the subject and just say what he did.

Jack was stunned when Ashland said he lied to everyone and he never had cancer. Ashland was disgusted with himself for his cruelty. Jack didn’t care how Ashland felt – he was concerned about Victoria. Jack lived through the death of a spouse, and he had some idea of the anguish Victoria had been preparing for, just to find out it was a hoax. Ashland began to explain that he genuinely fell in love with Victoria. Jack didn’t want to hear it and he was sure Victoria didn’t either. Ashland said he agreed to annul the marriage and leave the company. Jack hoped Ashland was going back to NY and would leave Victoria alone forever. Ashland didn’t want to leave town without seeing Harrison, and he was worried about how Kyle and Summer would take the news. “You damn well should be,” Jack replied.

Ashland admitted his behavior had been abhorrent, but he said he was a good father. Jack countered that Ashland lied to Harrison about being sick. Ashland stated that there were two people in this world that he loved – Victoria and Harrison. He knew his wife might not forgive him, but he couldn’t lose his son. He said he’d do whatever it took to keep that boy in his life. Jack wondered why Ashland thought Jack would help him. Ashland said he and Jack were at an age where they’d seen a lot of life, and they knew people were complex, not black and white. Jack had heard enough of this sick and twisted reasoning lately, and he was done. Ashland decided he’d talk to Kyle himself. Jack warned him that this was not a good time to go to Kyle seeking forgiveness. He left.

Kyle went back to the Abbott house and told Jack he was still conflicted about Diane, but he was going to give her a chance to prove himself to her. Jack’s eyes widened.

Victoria summoned Nikki to the office to talk about Victor. She said Victor suggested Adam take Ashland’s position as co-CEO. Victor framed it as a response to Victoria’s supposedly fragile emotional state, which infuriated her. Sighing, Nikki said sometimes Victor wasn’t the most tactful. Victoria felt insulted. Nikki understood that, but she suggested Victoria’s anger should be directed at Ashland. Victoria said Ashland wasn’t a threat anymore, but Adam was. Nikki said Adam was a big reason Ashland was no longer a threat. Victoria said Adam used a half a billion dollars of Victor’s money to make it happen, and that didn’t entitle him to be co-CEO. Nikki wanted the family unit to remain strong. Victoria said she’d quit if Victor made Adam co-CEO.

Victoria said her brother was a snake who’d been looking for ways to undermine her ever since he agreed to come work for her. Appointing him co-CEO would make things worse. Nikki said Victor saw things differently. Victoria replied that Victor always had a soft spot, or a blind spot, for Adam. Nikki admitted Adam had been successful running Newman Media and had proven he could be a reliable family member. Victoria asked if Nikki was arguing that Adam should be co-CEO. Nikki said no, she was just stating facts. Victoria thought Victor would be satisfied if she hired a co-CEO who he could agree was better than Adam. Nikki didn’t think Victoria would be able to find anyone who fit that bill. “I’m looking at her,” Victoria replied.

Nikki didn’t know how to respond to the offer. Victoria hoped she’d accept, since she was the only one Victoria trusted to be her co-CEO. Nikki didn’t like the idea of being a pawn in Victoria’s game with her father. Victoria said Victor would have to agree Nikki was the most qualified and experienced candidate, since she’d been Victoria’s COO from the very beginning, and she was family. Victoria told Nikki to envision herself as co-CEO. Victoria was sure Nikki would be brilliant. Victoria added that Nikki could lighten Victoria’s workload, since Nikki always said Victoria worked too hard. Nikki was happy to take some of the work off Victoria’s plate, but she got the feeling this would be a promotion in name only, just to fend off Adam. Victoria said this was a sincere offer, and they’d have so much fun if they were partners. Nikki thought they had to think of the possible repercussions. Victoria was sure that there were no downsides. Nikki said Adam wouldn’t be happy, since he thought he deserved more responsibility and Victor agreed.

Nikki asked if they really wanted to create more family drama just as the news about Ashland was going to break. Victoria wasn’t going to let Adam’s possible potential hurt feelings dictate her decision. She hoped they could keep the reasons for Ashland’s departure from becoming public knowledge. Nikki was convinced it was going to come out very soon. She thought they should prepare for that by presenting a united front to the world. Victoria said if she caved in to Adam, he’d continually try to sabotage her, she’d have to play defense and the family would have to choose sides, and it would end in warfare and an absolute disaster for the family and the business.

After Nikki left, Adam went to Victoria’s office and asked to talk. He said he was surprised that Victor asked her to promote him as co-CEO. He said if he’d known he would’ve asked Victor to hold off until Adam and Victoria had a conversation. He wanted to convince her that he could make a good partner. She asked if he was going to offer him 500,000,000 of someone else’s money in exchange for a promotion. He said that the company had almost doubled since the acquisition of Ashland’s business holdings, and she was going to need help. He knew they’d never been close, and that she didn’t trust him. He said no matter how much he tried to support her, there was too much history in the way. He asked what he could do to change that and show her that working together could be a positive thing.

Victoria said it didn’t matter how Victor pitched her the idea of promoting Adam, because she was never going to agree to it. She agreed that her workload was going to increase now that Ashland was out of the picture. Adam said he didn’t need a title – he’d happily pitch in so she could see how well they’d work together. Victoria didn’t mean to imply that she needed Adam’s help. She informed him that she’d already hired someone she could trust – the only logical choice – her mother.

Nikki met Victor at Crimson Lights and told him that Victoria offered her the co-CEO job. Nikki thought that it made sense for her to step into the position. Victor said it was a smart move on Victoria’s part. Nikki said they both knew it was a strategic move to keep Adam out, but she said she’d do an excellent job. He was sure she would. He wasn’t going to fight Victoria on hiring Nikki. He said if he imposed his will on Victoria, she’d be very upset, and if he preferred Adam over her, he’d never hear the end of it. He took Nikki’s hands and called her Madame CEO.

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Young & The Restless Update

Recap written by Christine

Chance came home after a rough day at work – he’d just had to tell Sharon the autopsy results. He told Abby that Rey had a heart attack, causing him to lose control of the car. He said there was nothing anyone could’ve done – Rey’s fate was sealed the night he said goodbye to Sharon, and he had no idea he’d never see her again. Abby felt bad for Rey’s family. She knew it took a toll on Chance too. He said Rey helped him multiple times in multiple ways. Rey was Chance’s best friend. Abby didn’t want Chance to let the sadness and grief of the tragedy overwhelm him, like Spain. Someone rang the doorbell, and Abby wanted Chance to send them away, so this talk could continue. Chance went to the door – it was Victor.

Victor was informed about Rey’s heart attack. He thought it was terrible, and he asked how Sharon was doing. Chance said the news hit her hard, but at least she had a definitive explanation. Victor asked if Victoria knew. She didn’t. Chance had called, but she didn’t pick up. Victor said he’d let her know. Abby said that Victor couldn’t just rush off. She asked why he came. He wanted to see the baby. She said it wasn’t a good time, as he was napping. Victor decided to wait until his grandson woke up and have a chat with Chance in the meantime. Abby went upstairs to check Dominic. Victor wanted to see how Chance was doing after losing his partner. Chance said that the loss stirred up some of the same feelings he had after the explosion. He was managing, but Abby saw how this was weighing on him, and it worried her. Victor said that this was a reminder to embrace life with his beautiful wife and son. Victor said this would help Chance heal, and more importantly, be strong, because he never knew when his wife would need to lean on him.

Chance thanked Victor for the wisdom and said he needed it. Victor was proud of how Chance, Abby and Devon came together for Dominic. Victor couldn’t wait for Dom to be old enough to share sports stories with. Abby came down and said the baby was awake, so Victor went up to see him. Abby was pleased to see a smile on Chance’s face. His talk with Victor helped. Victor came downstairs and marveled at how much Dom had grown. Abby was going to walk her dad out, but he told her to stay with her husband. He left. Abby hugged Chance.

Chance didn’t want Abby to be scared for him. He was processing Rey’s death, but he wasn’t going to fall apart this time. He’d grieve and miss his friend dearly, but he promised it wouldn’t be like before. She asked if he was sure. He said he was s much stronger now. He vowed to be the husband and father she needed him to be. He knew how lucky he was to have her and Dom, and he wouldn’t waste a minute they had together by shutting down. He was going to show both of them how much he loved them. She kissed him.

Jack and Phyllis were at Crimson Lights. He was worried about the meeting between Kyle and Diane. He hoped Kyle would cancel. He was concerned he’d made a big mistake facilitating this meeting, and if he had, Kyle would pay the price. Jack said Diane was manipulative, and Kyle would be vulnerable because she was his mom. Phyllis was sure Jack did the right thing. He thanked her for the support and perspective. She said she was very mature. He knew she was joking, but he thought that was true lately.

Phyllis asked what Jack would do if Kyle wanted a relationship with Diane. Jack said he’d urge Kyle to give this some thought, but ultimately, he’d have to honor Kyle’s wishes and tell Kyle to proceed with caution. Phyllis knew that if Summer saw that Diane’s motives were less than pure, she’d have a long talk with Kyle, and she’d get in Diane’s face and tell her to back off. Jack asked what if, by some miracle, Diane really changed. He wondered if they should give her the benefit of the doubt. Phyllis was completely against that. She wondered where this was coming from, since he had a different opinion two seconds ago. “So you get to play Devil’s advocate, but I don’t?,” he asked. He said his mother abandoned three children, not one, and when she came back into their lives, they were able to reconcile. Jack and Dina made an emotional connection with Dina that had been missing his whole life. As absurd as it seemed, he hoped the same could be true for his son. He said a love for a child could change someone. He said they were making assumptions about someone they knew years ago. Phyllis argued that present day Diane sent a bunch of cryptic texts to Jack. He noted that Diane helped him meet his granddaughter. Phyllis said Diane chose to do it a creepy and cryptic and duplicitous way. Jack agreed with that, but he said that the end result was positive. Phyllis said Diane planned for Jack to see it that way, and it worked. Jack wasn’t grateful to Diane, but he couldn’t discount the possibility that some of what she said about her personal development was true. Phyllis understood that Jack was trying to put a positive spin on the possibility of Kyle giving Diane a chance. However, Phyllis couldn’t fathom the idea that Diane was less of a sociopath. Jack noted that some people would say the same thing about Phyllis. Phyllis snapped that no one would say that because she didn’t fake her own death and let someone else almost go down for it, like Diane did with Nikki. Phyllis saw no sign of change in Diane. Jack said Phyllis was right. She implored him not to let his guard down with Diane. He promised he wouldn’t.

At the Abbott house, Diane came face to face with Kyle. With tears in her eyes, she thanked him for giving her a chance to explain herself. Kyle replied that she had a hell of a lot of explaining to do. Diane had a lot of memories in this house. She wished she could make this easy for him, but nothing about this was easy. She was sure he was confused and angry. She wasn’t expecting anything from him, except maybe an open mind. She said he must be in shock. He didn’t want her making assumptions about his state of mind. He was barely sure of his own feelings. She was moved by seeing his face. He said it’d been so long – he asked if she even recognized him. She said she’d know him anywhere. He felt the same of her. She admitted she’d been following his life online. “Lucky you. I certainly didn’t get that opportunity,” he replied. She was proud of his success at work and in life. He didn’t want her to make this about him. He wanted to hear about her. Diane said she was an open book. On the verge of tears, he asked why she faked her death.

Kyle thought it was so much worse that Diane followed his life from a distance. He said she cared enough to keep track, but not enough to reach out. Diane swore she missed Kyle every day and never stopped loving her. He noted all evidence was to the contrary. He remembered the last time they saw each other, she sent him off to boarding school and told him he had to use a fake name. He went along with it and trusted her when she said she’d be joining him in Europe soon, but she never came. Jack came and told him that Diane had been killed. “When exactly did you decide I wasn’t worth coming for,” he asked. She said she always wanted to come for him. He didn’t believe it. She sent him away because she was in way over her head, and she was scared the people she’d pushed past their limits would retaliate by taking him away from her in court. The Newmans and Abbotts didn’t agree on much, but they were very powerful, and they all hated her, and they weren’t the only ones. She was desperate to escape, and with Deacon’s help, she found a way to disappear. She’d intended to reunite with him once she was safely away from Genoa City, then she realized she couldn’t. Her life as she knew it was over, when she faked her death, and if she’d taken him with her, she would’ve ruined his life too, and she couldn’t do that.

Kyle said Diane might have told herself that she was doing the best thing for him, since he had a mother who was so damaged, but what he was hearing was that she abandoned him. She said that leaving him was like leaving a piece of her soul behind. He thought those were just words. She said he was her only child, her pride and joy, and nothing ever mattered to her as much as him. After all the mistakes she made, she had nothing to offer him but a life on the run. She said Jack would’ve never stopped looking for Kyle. She would’ve turned him into a fugitive, right along with her. He felt that hse didn’t want him dragging her down. She said he was toxic back then and for a long time afterward, and he deserved to be with Jack, the parent who could give him stability. She thought she made the right choice, given how well he turned out. “You may be right, that having you as my one and only parent in such a messed up state would’ve been a disaster for me,” he admitted. However, at the time, all he knew was he lost the mom he adored. It was the worst pain he’d ever experienced. He couldn’t imagine letting his own son suffer like that. She apologized profusely, but she said he would’ve paid a different and far more terrible price if she raised him on the run away from the people who loved him. He said his father did his best, and he never tore Diane down in Kyle’s eyes or tarnished his happy memories of her. She was beyond grateful, and she said she owed Jack a huge debt, because it was more than she deserved. Back then, she was greedy, vindictive, cruel and dangerously ambitious. He was surprise she freely admitted that. She promised she wouldn’t hide anything from him ever again. He asked how he was supposed to believe she changed.

Kyle said Diane was claiming she changed, but she lured his dad to LA using Keemo’s death, and she manipulated Jack and Allie. He said she’d been secretive and deceitful. Diane said she did this as a gesture of goodwill. She said she needed to remain anonymous because if she’d contacted Jack directly, he would’ve shut her down. He conceded that Jack said the same thing. However, Kyle said Diane could’ve just contacted him. She disagreed because she thought it would’ve been too much of a shock. She thought it was better for Jack to break the news and give Kyle a chance to decide. He admitted she was probably right. She was sure he wondered why she came forward now, instead of years ago, and she said it was because she wasn’t ready back then. She went to therapy and tried to become someone worthy of being his mother. It took a lot of hard work and owning up to her mistakes and trying to understand how she became so vindictive and spiteful. How she took the beautiful life they had in Toronto and destroyed it completely. She was ashamed of who she was, but she’d done everything in her power to change and grow, and she’d vowed to never be that woman who caused so much chaos and hurt him so badly. She wouldn’t have reached out if she thought she’d still be a negative force in his life.

Kyle asked what Diane wanted from him – did she want forgiveness, so she could move on, or did she want a place in his life, because he wasn’t sure he was capable of that. He spent a long time making peace and figuring out who he was without her to guide him. He was now the happiest he’d ever been, and the family he built with Summer and Harrison was the mot important thing to him. He could not and would not bring any turmoil into their world. “I can’t sacrifice their happiness because I am messed up on account of you,” he said. She understood, and she said it was far too soon to even think about what the future might hold for him and her. She did hope that he could at least contemplate forgiveness at some point.

Kyle said Diane was asking a lot. She knew, but she’d promised to be straightforward. She figured she should go, but she asked if they could meet again. He wasn’t ready to commit to that yet. Jack and Phyllis strolled in. He apologized – he didn’t realize Diane would still be there. He said he’d go, but Diane was already on her way out. Diane thanked Kyle for allowing her to have this conversation with him. She left.

Kyle asked where Harrison was. Traci took him on an outing. Jack said he wouldn’t press for details about Diane. Kyle said he’d tell Jack about it later, but right now he needed air. Jack promised he’d be there if Kyle needed him. Kyle knew. He left. Phyllis comforted Jack.

When Diane got to her suite, she was shaken to see Victor inside waiting for her.

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