The detective wouldn’t share any information and Noah’s so-called friend didn’t ask how he is or offer to visit, Nick will text his Mom her name and number so that his Dad’s guys can look into her. Life always has another surprise in store for us, Nikki says cryptically.
Over coffee on the CL’s patio, Tessa’s grateful for Daniel’s friendship. His mind is doing backflips – he can’t think straight. We can still be us, Tessa asks Daniel not to hold back.
If I don’t exist, I can’t tell anyone, Ian persists. It IS about you – it’s ALL about you – you did terrible things to innocent people to get to me. The guilt is choking me, Mariah couldn’t drink enough to rid herself of Ian. Then, here ‘he’ was – he smiled at me – we started talking – he had a job, a name, but he wasn’t a person to me – he was an echo of YOU; the answer to erasing you. I smiled back – I laughed at his jokes – I let him buy me drinks and kiss me. We went to his room. Deep down I knew the solution was to kill the monster – by erasing your life I could regain mine and get rid of all the pain and hate you instilled in me, she explains.
Daniel doesn’t want to say something he’ll regret. OK. Tessa will talk – she has feelings for Daniel she can’t explain – comfort, excitement. His voice brings relief and joy. ‘It makes me float – but also grounds me’. You radiate reassurance because you’ve been through so much yet there’s still so much light in you. You’re truly my best friend. I’m falling in love with you, Daniel blurts out.
This is bad – I shouldn’t have said anything – I have to go – maybe I drank more than I thought, Daniel rambles. You’re the only one I can count on to tell me the truth, Tessa doesn’t want him to go. I don’t think you were counting on that much truth, Daniel quips. In another time line, Tessa could see herself falling in love with him.
Seated on either side of Noah’s bed, Sharon and Nick manage to laugh at childhood memories. She’s made a decision about Mariah.
You’re saying your feelings for me control your every waking moment? Ian asks how it felt for Mariah to take a life, then is disappointed that she didn’t go through with it. If I’m in hell, you’re in hell with me. Just the two of us; kindred spirits – the darkness I’ve awakened in you lives on.
Mariah didn’t take a life because she has compassion and logic – she’s in here because she has remorse and wants to move on with her life. What have you learned here? Ian asks. You tried to make me like you – because that’s what evil does – spreads like a cancer. I’ll never be like you. Bravo – way to take a stand – never say never, Ian cautions.
Tessa’s sharing her truth. Does it help to know I could love you too? This is the only time line Daniel has. Tessa doesn’t know what will happen with Mariah and doesn’t want to lead Daniel on – she’ll fight for her marriage. Daniel will be fine – let’s not talk about the kiss and what I blurted out. Both would hate for it to affect their friendship. He looks agonized as Tessa caresses his cheek.
Sharon’s decided to stay here, with Noah. After talking to Mariah’s doctor, she has faith that she’s safe, protected and getting the help she needs.
You didn’t break me then and you won’t break me now, Mariah vows. You’re nothing and no one. I want you gone. Closing her eyes, Mariah opens them to sigh with relief; Ian’s gone. Moments later, she’s troubled to see that the Queen of Hearts is in one piece.