Holden finds Audra in a surprisingly good mood at the outdoor café. She invites him to sit with her, but he’s meeting Claire soon. Audra’s over Little Miss Muffet and promises no attacks. Holden doesn’t buy that Claire doesn’t bother her anymore.

They bicker at length over whether or not Claire still bothers Audra. Holden acccuses Audra of losing her edge and questions why Claire is such a trigger for her. Audra has dealt with a lot of Claires, and says this one won’t win.

 

 

Audra expands on being a “have not” in a world of “haves” growing up. Girls like Claire ridiculed her clothes, shoes, hair and accent. “That’s when I started stealing,” she admits. She was desperate to fit in. Nothing worked so she gave up… that’s when she got tough. Once she had money, she went back to the stores she’d stolen from and made purchases and donations to try and make things right, but vows, “I won’t ever be treated like that again.”

Holden tells Audra that her hurt and anger is valid, but Claire isn’t like that. Audra fumes that the Newman has him wrapped around her finger. Holden warns Audra not to become the bully herself. The fact that Claire is dating him proves she’s not stuck-up.

Holden’s irked when Audra mocks the idea of him dating Claire. They go back to the ‘both worlds’ thing. He insists Claire didn’t grow up wealthy and privileged. Audra argues that Claire has hoisted herself onto a pedestal and is pretty comfortable there, attacking anyone who criticizes her.

Audra complains about Claire looking for ammunition against her. She said she would turn over a new leaf, but she won’t forget who Claire is… she had her hands around her neck and poisoned her family. Holden suggests she talk to Claire, who might show her more compassion than she thinks.

Sharon announces she has to go and talk to Tessa. Noah agrees not to leave town until she gets back. After she’s gone, Noah asks his dad, “What the hell was that?”

Nick asks Sienna to step out and then fills Noah in on the kidnapping and Mariah’s troubles. He pleads with Noah to stick around and support his mother and can’t understand why he thinks L.A. is the right place for him.

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Noah loves Sienna and wants to be where she is, but Nick questions if it’s love or infatuation. He points out that she’s older and they don’t have much in common. Noah insists she gets him and he gets her. Nick is concerned that one day he’ll realize the relationship isn’t what he thought it was.Noah sighs. He knows they liked Allie. Nick cracks that they thought he liked her too. He thinks his son is going for women who need rescuing… he gets it from him. Noah denies this; he’s in love with Sienna, who is different from anyone he’s been with, even Audra.

Sienna’s not sure she’s the right fit for Noah given his wealthy background. “Noah belongs here. I don’t.” She fears he’ll feel as out of place in her world as she does there. Claire thinks they could find a way forward if they tried.

Sienna has no proof, but she has the sense there is more to the story. This art dealer kept accusing Audra of stealing money from his wallet and one day he just vanished.

Sharon’s Guilt
Sharon meets Tessa at Crimson Lights. Neither of them can wrap their head around Mariah taking Dom. Sharon laments not visiting her. Tessa wonders if the clinic hurt her more than helped her. “Has Mariah completely snapped?”Sharon doesn’t want to believe she’s had a complete mental breakdown but admits that could be the case. Tessa recalls that Mariah was frozen when she visited her. Sharon beats herself up some more for not being there for Mariah. Tessa says she pushed all of them away. Sharon sobs about her daughter becoming a kidnapper. Tessa says Mariah’s changed. “It scares the hell out of me.”

Tessa can’t believe Mariah would go after Dom and not Aria. Sharon thinks there must have been an explanation. Tessa tells her about the scarf Mariah left behind. As they speculate, Sharon wonders if someone planted this idea in her head.

At Crimson Lights, Sharon and Tessa debate whether someone put Mariah up to this or if it was all her. Tessa questions if Ian might be the catalyst for all of this. Meeting a man who resembled him on her business trip may have caused her to snap.

Sharon admits this kidnapping sounds like Ian. Tessa wonders, “Was she planning this from the start?” Sharon questions if something happened at the clinic. They have to find out where she’s headed and what her plan is now.At the outdoor café, Audra informs Holden there’s not a chance in hell she’ll confide in Claire, and points out he’s twisting himself into knots to defend her. She reminds him to hold up his end of the bargain and keep quiet. If Claire comes after her again, all bets are off.