On the January 23, 2026, episode of The Young and the Restless, Mariah prepared to do the unthinkable, Audra had an icy encounter with Amy, and Sally planned to convince Jill to hire Audra.
What happened on The Young and the Restless
Abby informed Devon about the impact that the AI software had on Newman Enterprises. She told him that it had devastated the entire company and everything that her father had worked toward. Devon asked Abby if Victor had indicated how he planned to combat Cane’s attack. However, she had no specifics to provide.
Abby and Devon discussed Lily’s reaction to what her ex-husband had done, and she wasn’t surprised. The man she loved in the past no longer existed. Abby wondered if Cane had any idea how much he had already lost.
Abby asked Devon if he was thinking about Cane or Lily, and he was furious when he encountered Cane in France. Cane used everyone like props in his game, and he delusionally expected Lily to take him back.
Abby played Devil’s Advocate, reminding Devon that Cane and Lily were once deeply in love. She didn’t think it was too unreasonable that Cane would want to get Lily back. However, Devon thought Lily giving Cane the time of day was the crazy part of it all.
Devon was adamant that Cane couldn’t be trusted. Cane’s thirst for power cost him everything that he claimed to hold dear. Devon and Nate had plans, and he reminded Abby that they’d link back up later at the ice rink.
Nate told Devon that their family company was protected from any potential attack from Cane. Devon didn’t think that there could ever be enough safety measures in place to protect themselves from an unpredictable Cane. His ex-brother-in-law was such a disaster that Lily had to work remotely to avoid him.
Nate and Devon discussed Nate and Victoria’s rekindled connection, but despite the flames, things stalled. Neither appeared ready to make the first move back into the romance zone. Devon hoped that Nate’s slow progress wasn’t due to any lingering feelings for Audra.
Audra ran into Amy at Crimson Lights, but Amy gave her the cold shoulder. Amy previously said she’d reach out for coffee or lunch, but it seemed things had changed. Amy tried to leave, and Audra stopped her and apologized for the way that she hurt Nate. She regretted her actions, and she asked Amy for forgiveness.
Audra wanted Amy to hear her out. She explained how she had nothing to show for herself, so she did whatever she needed to do to get ahead. Amy was disappointed that Audra committed betrayal for monetary reasons, but Audra didn’t think it was that simple. She just wanted someone to be proud of her.
Amy admitted that she missed having Audra in her life. The trust that they had for each other was unparalleled. However, she needed to cut Audra off to avoid further pain and suffering. Audra explained that she’d do anything to regain the relationship she once shared with Amy.
Holden interrupted the conversation, shocked to see Amy and Audra together. He asked both women if they were back to being friends. Amy said it was just a conversation, which was her way of shutting Holden down. She asked whether Holden was there to meet Audra, and he denied it.
Holden assured Amy that he loved Damien like a brother, and Amy responded that her son felt the same way about him. However, she asked him if he regretted how they had left things before he was killed in Nice. Holden charmed his way through the question and took off.
Once Holden was gone, Amy pointed out how Audra barely spoke throughout the interaction. She urged Audra not to evade the question and asked what her connection to Holden was. Audra claimed there wasn’t much to say beyond the fact that he was a bartender at a club she frequented. Amy instantly accused Audra of lying.
Amy believed that Audra not only lied to her but also gave a fake story to everyone. She remembered that Audra had once tried to explain things clearly, but that had changed. Since Audra hadn’t shown any signs of change, Amy ultimately got up and left.
Holden approached Audra again, and they argued about Nate and Amy. Audra defensively barked at Holden for bringing it up. Thankfully, Sally arrived to speak with Audra just as the conversation devolved into drama about Claire.
Sally asked if Holden was holding something over her head, which she believed was the only explanation for her behavior. Audra changed the subject and asked why Sally had called her earlier that day, and she told Audra that Billy was on the verge of letting her down.
Audra didn’t think that Billy accepting Chancellor was worth the risk. She asked if Sally told him how she felt, but she confessed that it didn’t change anything. Billy’s mind was made up. Sally planned to call Jill about Billy’s actions and hoped to convince Jill that Audra was needed more than ever at Abbott Communications.
In her motel room, Mariah reflected on all the recent major holidays she had missed with her family. She wondered if she could start over and be a better wife and mother to Tessa and Aria. However, she believed that her actions didn’t warrant forgiveness.
Mariah knew that it wouldn’t be easy to explain what happened if she returned to Genoa City. There was a darkness spreading inside of her, and although Tessa and Sharon would see through it, she could attempt a disguise.
Mariah questioned whether she was ever the person that her loved ones remembered. She worried that if she let her guard down and reclaimed her life, it would vanish in any instant. Mariah asked herself how she could fix things.
As she remained deep in her thoughts, she kept writing something with her pen, which was ultimately revealed to be Dominic’s name; the son that she carried for Abby and Chance/Devon. Mariah debated whether to use her phone to make a call that could change everything.
Later, Abby and Dominic warmed up with some hot cocoa. She reminded her son that despite not carrying him herself, they had so much in common, and he seemed to understand.
Abby received a call from an unknown number and wondered whether to answer. Mariah was on the other end of the call, and she froze when Abby answered. Devon rejoined Abby and Dominic, and they bonded as a family about pastries and ice hockey.
Ian emerged behind Mariah and reminded her that she never thought things through. Mariah begged Ian to stop talking, so she could think about what she wanted to do. Ian claimed that he was there to guide her and help her, but the time for thinking was over. They had a plan in mind, and it was time to execute their plan.
Ian asked Mariah if she was afraid, and her moment of weakness surprised him. Mariah didn’t want to follow through with their plan, but he urged her that it was unavoidable. She didn’t think she needed to do it anymore. However, Ian was adamant that the time had arrived. The answer was in front of her, and he would ensure she stayed the course.
Mariah looked at photos of Devon, Abby, and Dominic, and it was evident they had been taken that day. Mariah was either in Genoa City or someone was doing her bidding. Either way, danger lurked. She remembered the details of Dominic’s birth, and Ian celebrated the return of Mariah’s trauma.
Mariah demanded that Ian stop because she refused to go through with what he had in mind. Mariah couldn’t recall her motivations for wanting to do it in the first place. Ian claimed it was too late to turn back. Mariah’s new destiny was in motion.
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