In the motel room, Cole and Vikki deal with their devastation. He vows to bring Claire home and never let anyone hurt her ever again. Sitting on the bed, Vikki leans in to his side-hug.
Though he’s made a friend and playing soccer, Conner seems deeply unhappy. After the chat ends, Adam’s pessimistic – he blocked things out too when he was a kid (like a man dying) He refuses to believe that Chelsea’s not equally worried that Connor inherited their bad genetics.
Victor repeats his lie, Jordan slipped and fell into the river. Her body hasn’t been found; Mike would like to believe his favourite client but senses there’s more to the story.
Finding a creepy doll in the closet, Vikki remembers her Mom saying Jordan tormented her with one at the lakehouse. Wait, there’s something inside here, Cole notices.
Finding a set of keys in the doll, Cole continues to search the room.
On the CL’s patio, a supportive Lauren decides to reschedule the meeting so Nikki can get some much needed sleep. Of course Nikki’s going straight home. Where else would I go? she asks in a monotone as she hugs Lauren goodbye.
Victor’s in no way responsible for that woman’s death. That sounded sincere, Mike accepts the lie. They shift focus to Claire – Victor fears time is running out for her.
Adam wants Chelsea to express how she truly FEELS – this is our son – we can’t talk to each other? Chelsea admits that she’s terrified. Both blame themselves. It’s not about what we’ve been through – it’s about Connor. Though they’re not supposed to ‘reassure’ their son, Chelsea and Adam agree to reassure one another.
Chelsea and Adam are glad they can be there for each other – as friends, as grown ups. I’m not going anywhere. Neither am I ~hug~
Now that Nikki’s gone, Jack asks Summer how she really feels about her letting Jordan live. Harrison might be scarred for life, Summer agrees not to say anything that might push Nikki over the edge. She’ll always love her grandmother but she’ll always wish she let Jordan die.
Nikki lets herself into a suite at the GCAC. Looking at herself in a mirror, she opens the bottle of vodka she brought and chug-a-lugs.
Recognizing the keys, Vikki tells Cole – I think I know where we have to go!
*In Memory of Meg Bennett 1948 – 2024 (she played Victor’s first wife, Julia Newman and was part of the writing team. She was also involved in several other soaps)