"There is no gathering the rose without being pricked by the thorns."
Panchatantra
Read the episode below...
Matt, Casey, Victor, and Nikki go on holiday together in NYC. Nikki states this is a perfect opportunity for everyone to clear the air. Matt verbally attacks Victor even going so far as to make Victor feel guilty for being successful and leaving him in the orphanage. Victor tries telling Matt when he went back for him he was gone. Matt details he was raised by abusive people and wanted nothing more than to be back with his big brother, but instead Victor made a new life. And then when they finally found each other slept with Matt's wife. Matt punches Victor again. Nikki and Casey break it up. Matt says he's out of there, but Casey stops him telling him grown ups talk their problems out not fight or run. Matt states how disgusted he is even being near Casey. She tells him that she will NOT sign divorce papers and let him go without a fight. As he is about to leave, Nikki tells Matt this isn't easy for her either, but Victor is the love of her life as Casey is his. She convinces Matt to give the marriage another try. Matt apologizes to Victor. Nikki tells Victor not to meddle in Natalie’s life. Victor tells her that he is her Godfather and will. Over the phone Nikki talks to Olivia then Natalie; meanwhile Malcolm shows up in NYC to tell Victor to back off. Victor berates Malcolm for rejecting Natalie when she came out to him. Malcolm tries telling him that he is accepting now; Victor asks if he’s also accepting of Tessa or does he feel like he failed raising a lesbian and a transwoman. Malcolm punches Victor and tells him never to question his parenting; Victor tells him to get out and stay away from Natalie as HE is a better father to her than Malcolm ever will be. Back in Genoa City, Malcolm visits with Natalie and apologizes for rejecting her when she came out to him; he tells her how he was raised and in general how black men should be. She tells him she accepts his apology. He tells her he doesn’t approve of Adam though; she tells him he should talk to Adam. She also tells him to ease up on Victor and shows him the bruised face that Victor texted her. She explains to him how Victor was there when he wasn’t and how he confronted Luca and nearly killed him. Malcolm calls Victor to apologize and thank him for taking care of Natalie. Malcolm talks to Tessa and tells her he accepts her before talking to Olivia and Dru about Neil; he leaves, but tells them he won’t be far away.
Adam starts spying on Natalie and Tyler going on dates; he reveals even though all charges were dropped people still find he has a bad reputation. Adam confronts Victor begging for him for help winning Natalie. Victor tells him he will never allow Adam to be with Natalie. He tells Adam he wishes he was never born. Adam leaves Victor’s office and replays the recording from his hidden recorder. He smiles. Natalie and Tyler move fairly quickly with their relationship; as they begin a sexual relationship she starts seeing Adam sometimes. Natalie finally confronts Adam, and he tells her he was framed. He plays her the tape of Victor’s confession. She tells him he doctored the tape, but he tells her he hasn’t. He tells her to keep the copy as he’s sent a copy to GC Buzz.
Billy comes home and adjusts to being back. He begins feeling overwhelmed. As Victoria gets further into her pregnancy, Billy starts missing appointments. Victoria confronts him and he tells her he is overwhelmed and maybe she should have a late term abortion. Victoria slaps Billy and tells him to get out of the house. He apologizes as she kicks him out, doubles over, and Billy rushes her to the hospital. In the hospital Victoria loses the baby and blames Billy. Upset Billy goes to the chapel and breaks down. John appears to him to tell him everything is okay. Billy asks for John’s strength to get Victoria’s forgiveness; John turns to Pastor Ian Ward. He tells Billy he can help save Victoria and Billy’s marriage. Billy takes Victoria home and tells her they will go to church more and become a stronger couple. Pastor Ian emerges and talks to Victoria about his new religion New Hope. Victoria recalls in her brain a conversation her mother talked about Ian Ward. Victoria excuses herself and goes to the kitchen to call Nikki. Ian catches her and convinces her back into the living room with him and Billy. Billy becomes engrossed with Ian and New Hope; Victoria goes along to try and save Billy.
Luca talks to Valeria about his relationship with Natalie. She goes to Victor’s office and closes the door. Luca goes on a date with Colleen after they meet at Crimson Lights. They start dating more and more. When they finally start a sexual relationship Luca realizes he’s completely over Natalie. Just then Luca gets courier service at his room. He opens the package and gasps. Meanwhile Luis gets a copy of the tape and listens to it. He is unsure what to do and talks to Hilary about it. She tells him they MUST use the tape. She warns her of the repercussions. Hilary goes live on air with the tape.
Nina tells Brooks that a man named Jimmy is the dad, but she knows his real name is Tucker James McCall. Meanwhile Chloe tells Chelsea that Cane is digging into her past and forced her to tell him that she had a baby. Chelsea asks if Chloe revealed her son’s dad; Chloe says no. Chelsea confronts Cane who is pissed she didn’t tell him that she never wanted to have the baby with the father. Cane tells her that first Johnny now this baby; maybe she shouldn’t be a mother; Chelsea slaps him and tells him what he said was unforgivable and starts to leave. Cane tries to apologize, but Chelsea says there are things you say in a marriage that you can’t come back from sometimes; she leaves.
Summer and Fen decide to stay in their respective sorority and fraternity. Noah and Kyle decide to get an office campus apartment together; they soon realize dating and living together while paying bills and going to school isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.