Here is your The Young and the Restless recap for Thursday, April 9, 2026 featuring Lily learning that she and Holden are siblings.
What happened on The Young and the Restless
Lily visited Traci at the Abbott Mansion, and Traci was more than elated to have a dear friend over. She wanted to spend the entire day catching up, but Lily was there for more than friendly catching up. She felt like her entire world was imploding around her, and she needed Traci to encourage her that she’d get through it.
Lily apologized for being an emotional mess, but she felt like Traci was her only option for someone to speak to. Traci wasn’t shocked that Devon was angry with her, but she thought he’d at least be glad to have his sister back. Beyond that and the issues with Cane, she was dealing with Malcolm’s life-threatening secret.
Lily felt like she needed to speak with someone, and she trusted Traci to keep her secret. Traci vowed never to speak a word about what Lily confided in her. Lily confirmed that Malcolm wasn’t doing well and he needed a bone marrow transplant.
Lily struggled with the idea that she wasn’t a donor candidate for her biological father. She believed that his life rested solely in her eyes, and she was powerless to help him. Traci realized it was quite serious, so she asked what was happening. Lily thought seeing Malcolm would be the answer to her prayers, but instead, he suffered from aplastic anemia.
Lily wanted to get tested to see if she could be a donor. Unfortunately, due to her previous cancer treatments, she was rendered unable to be a potential donor. Traci knew how painful that must’ve been to hear, and she assured Lily that none of this was her fault. She did everything that she could. She could remain by Malcolm’s side without donating.
Traci urged Lily to stop blaming herself for everything. She asked what the next step was, but Lily didn’t want to allow her mind to go there. It could take months or years to find a donor, and by then, it could be too late. Traci pointed out that Lily was jumping to the worst-case scenario, but Lily was still raw after losing Neil, and this felt like it.
Lily felt guilty for burdening Traci with all her problems, but Traci had no problem being there for her. She received a text from Malcolm, who was requesting to see her. Traci encouraged Lily to be upfront about her donor status so that he could plan for the future.
At Crimson Lights, Holden continued to struggle with his new reality that Malcolm was his father. Stephanie apologized for suddenly putting everything on her son. Holden didn’t even know where to begin regarding a bone marrow transplant.
Malcolm told Holden that he didn’t need to rush into a full decision. At this point, he just wanted his newly discovered son to find out whether he was a viable option. Stephanie agreed with Malcolm and told Holden that nothing could be decided until he knew whether or not he was a viable donor.
Holden couldn’t comprehend that he and Lily were siblings. He spent his entire life wanting a brother or sister, but this was not what he expected. Malcolm asked Holden to take a seat, and he hoped Lily and Holden were on good terms. Holden said it was better now, and they’d reached a place of civility.
Malcolm wondered how Holden was handling the bombshells about his paternity. The biggest hurdle for Holden was his mother keeping the truth about his father a secret for his entire life. He wasn’t sure whether he was angry or disappointed, but it felt like an out-of-body experience. Malcolm was just as shocked, but his medical crisis didn’t afford him the time to process his emotions.
Malcolm said it was too soon for Holden to decide whether he wanted a relationship with him, but he had hopes that he would. Holden struggled to process everything that had gone down. Stephanie came back into Crimson Lights and told Holden the clinic could take him in as soon as possible.
After Holden left, Malcolm asked Stephanie how she could keep a secret like this from him. She understood why he was angry, but she didn’t have a compelling reason for keeping the truth from him. Malcolm recalled that they ended on good terms, so she should’ve reached out about the pregnancy.
Holden arrived at Society following being tested as a potential donor match. While there, Audra spotted him amid his personal crisis. She walked to him and asked who he was speaking to. Holden had no intention of interacting with Audra, and although she asked about his mother, he wasn’t in the mood to chit-chat.
Audra could tell how upset Holden was, and he accused her of wanting the information so she could use it against him later. He told her that it was private and personal, and she had no intention of sharing it with her. Audra reminded them of their Los Angeles secret and used it as proof that she could be trusted.
Claire showed up soon after, and Holden wanted to speak with her about his newest issues. He was surprised she was remotely interested, since she made it seem like she wasn’t. Holden warned her that he wanted to bare his soul to someone who actually had one, unlike Audra.
Holden told Claire that someone in his life kept a monumental secret from him. Claire understood that feeling because of her Aunt Jordan’s many secrets and lies. Eventually, he told Claire that his mother visited him in Genoa City, and the man he believed was his father wasn’t his biological father.
Shockingly, Holden’s dad was alive, and he met him for the first time. Claire was happy for Holden, but he told her there was more. He had a daughter, and Claire was gobsmacked to learn that Lily Winters was his sister. Holden clarified that Malcolm was not only his biological father but also Lily’s.
Claire wondered why Holden’s mother finally came forward with the truth, and Holden explained that he has a blood disease, and unfortunately, Lily wasn’t a match. Claire thought the entire thing was crazy, but this ride was only beginning.
Lily told Malcolm at the GCAC that she didn’t have good news, but he surprised her by already knowing he wasn’t a donor. She felt like she let him down, but she hoped Stephanie could find him another viable donor.
Malcolm revealed to Lily that he and Stephanie were previously involved when they both lived in Genoa City. Stephanie wanted to offer a solution for Malcolm, and Lily wasn’t the only potential donor option. He told her to brace herself because he had news that would blow her mind.
Lily asked if she had a brother after Malcolm dropped the news. She was absolutely stunned to hear that information. Lily asked who it was, and Malcolm replied, “Holden Novak.”
