In the park with their guitars, a distracted Tessa tells Daniel that Aria’s fine but things are weird between her and Mariah. My wife’s not talking to me and I don’t know why.
At Sharon’s, Mariah wants to focus on business. She won’t tell Tessa or anyone else what happened on her business trip. What’s done is done, I’m putting it behind me. Sharon disagrees – you have to find a way to deal with your trauma.
Over tea at the ranch, Nick and his Mom discuss Victor not talking to Mike at her party. Lauren thinks he’s already regretting his decision. Vikki joins them to update that Cole’s in the hospital – his condition’s the same. He HAS to get better.
Billy comes through the revolving door to kiss Sally. She has something important to discuss. As he takes a call from Traci, Phyllis comes down the stairs to startle Sally – you’re not very good at watching your back, are you? she’s a close-talker.
Vikki’s worried and feels so helpless. Cole’s so weak. She’s reassured by her Mom and brother. Cole will bounce back. Vikki tells Claire the same thing.
Sharon can see that the light inside Mariah has gone out – you must let your trauma out. Mariah just needs a minute to pull herself together – she can’t tell Tessa what she’s done. Sharon won’t judge – did you have a one night stand?
Back in the park, Tessa’s been patient and supportive – but almost every night, Mariah lays in bed crying softly, thinking I can’t hear her. Daniel wonders if this is about Ian? No, it feels darker. How can I help her if I don’t know what’s going on?
Sally’s not scared of Phyllis’ empty threats If you’re ‘not afraid’ of me, you’re dumber than you appear, Phyllis asks – is there any man you haven’t slept with who hasn’t given you a loan or a job? Sally’s paying Nick back. Yes, with the money you earned from the job Billy gave you – it’s like a pyramid scheme or some carny-con you learned in the circus. When Billy returns, Phyllis tells him to reign Sally in. Undeterred, Sally sits with Billy in the dining room – she’s made a decision about postponing the launch to go to France.
Sally loves France – her answer is ‘oui’ – she’ll save Billy from pushing Victor into Aristotle’s pool and hopes he won’t charm him into taking Chancellor from the Newmans.
It’s agreed that Vikki will stay behind and get a full report on Dumas from her family. Nick will look him in the eye and tell him that Chancellor’s off limits.
Daniel can relate to Mariah’s behaviour – he shut his family out and wallowed in his pain – was an SOB and neglected Heather and Lucy after his art career failed.
Mariah wants to tell her Mom but can’t. Keeping this secret may do more damage than whatever you did, Sharon persists. What Mariah did is worse than a one night stand – she’d confess that to Tessa and beg for forgiveness.