Tessa is happy to bump into Daniel at Crimson Lights. He tells her that Mariah reached out and asked him to look after her and Aria. It sounded like she thought she wouldn’t be coming back.

Tessa remembers how wonderful and kind Mariah is, which was no small feat given her early life. Daniel says she seemed to be in pain at

 

 

the thought of her wife and child suffering. Assuming that something must have happened on Mariah’s business trip, Tessa asks him what she should do. Daniel doesn’t want to overstep or take sides. Tessa jokes that he should take her side.

Tessa remembers how wonderful and kind Mariah is, which was no small feat given her early life. Daniel says she seemed to be in pain at the thought of her wife and child suffering. Assuming that something must have happened on Mariah’s business trip, Tessa asks him what she should do. Daniel doesn’t want to overstep or take sides. Tessa jokes that he should take her side.

 

 

Announcing that she can’t leave Mariah to suffer alone, she decides she’ll get to the bottom of this by visiting the hotel where her wife stayed. Daniel offers to go along for support, which makes her smile.At the Abbott manse, Jack is thrilled to see Traci back. She says she’s preparing to go meet Amy, and a discussion about Damian’s death quickly turns to Cane. Jack warns he’s very different as they recall how close she and Ashby once were; he even inspired one of her books. Traci recaps that it almost became more than friendship, but they haven’t spoken since she turned him down. She then tells her brother about her fabulous therapist; she’s learned that she’s a good person.

Talk turns to Billy scheming to get Chancellor and pushing Jack out of Abbott Communications. Jack worries their brother is about to make a mistake that could land him in prison; it’s like he’s gambling again. Traci can’t believe no one can reason with Billy. He’s turned his back on everyone and is headed for a crash.

On the Cane train, Billy demands to know why he’s out. Cane says there are too many variables. Billy assumes he means he’s chaotic, which makes no sense since he’s kept Phyllis. Ashby urges him to go home and look after Sally; he shouldn’t lose her over a deal. Billy complains that he’s lost everything, and Cane owes him. All of this anger is only proving to Cane that he can’t handle things, who can’t even be bothered to argue with Billy.

Out of options, Billy warns that he knows a helluva lot about Cane, who won’t like what comes next. After he’s gone, Cane orders Michael to fix this. Phyllis is sure Billy will cool off, but Cane wants him contained immediately. Michael trudges off to fulfill his first assignment.

Phyllis tells Cane he did the right thing by cutting Billy loose. He asks why there is still a rift between her and Michael. They rehash Michael defending Sharon and Cane tells her to let it go. He observes that she demands strict loyalty but would throw anyone under the bus to get what she wants. She knows that’s a contradiction. It’s also what they have in common; they are survivors.

Moving closer and looking into Phyllis’ eyes, Cane asks if she wants to call it a night. She says no; she’s hungry. He asks if she has dinner plans. Meeting the moment, she immediately replies, “I do now.” Liking what he hears, Ashby simply says, “Good.”