MARQUETTE COVE MEMORIAL HOSPITAL

"The coffin was empty," Rebecca Li says, standing in the icy morgue with her son, Kane. She zips the jacket she has on while pacing nervously, checking her watch.

"The coffin was empty? So he's actually Kyle Maddock?" Kane says.

"Well, we don't know, they're ordering a DNA test."

Kane shoots Rebecca a dubious look. "If he's really Kyle, then why was he been sneaking around town? And why did he hire you to come into town and work your way into Aaron Maddock's life?"

"I don't know, I don't ask questions," Rebecca says. "I just take the paycheck and move on."

"That kind of makes you a whore, doesn't it, Mom?"

Rebecca reaches into her purse and removes a cigarette case. She places a long, slender cigarette between her lips and quickly lights it. "Don't question my methods. Especially not when you sit on your ass all day."

"I've been auditioning. The Blackthornes are supposed to be filming here soon too, I can get some extra work."

"That show hasn't been canceled yet?" Rebecca says, laughing as she blows a puff of smoke into the air. "You should give up these dreams of becoming an actor."

"I do a pretty good job of pretending I like you."

Rebecca presses a hand to her chest. "You'll give your old mother a heart attack, sweetie."

"Old? Yes."

Kane grins widely at Rebecca. She, however, is not amused. He snatches the cigarette from her lips and takes a drag.

"So, what else went down after Valerie Holden opened the coffin?"

"I didn't stick around," Rebecca says. "It was taking forever already, I didn't have the time. All I know is that the casket was empty, which doesn't prove things one way or another. And Kyle told us to meet him here."

"I love how I've once again gotten roped into one of your schemes."

"That's why you love me so much," Rebecca says. "Now give me that cigarette back."



OUTSIDE THE DNA LAB

Kyle Maddock impatiently taps his foot as he stares up at the clock on the hospital wall. After spending hours in the cemetery waiting for his casket to be opened, Kyle is now enduring another virtual prison sentence — spending his night in the hospital with all of his family and the wretchedly insane Bales.

He fidgets with the bandage on his arm where a nurse drew blood after hitting the wrong vein three times prior. Standing across from him is Matt Holden, Kyle's biological son, and yet one of Kyle's most vocal detractors. He's clung close to his adoptive father Simon throughout the entire ordeal.

He doesn't trust Kyle.

No one does.

"We'll have the DNA results soon," Robert Bale says, returning to the waiting room. He sits down next to Felicia, but she quickly stands and moves toward Simon and Matt. Robert rolls his eyes, garnering a half-smile from Valerie at the other end of the room.

"The sooner the better," Aaron Maddock says, eyeing Kyle suspiciously. "That empty casket was quite the sight."

"Oh, shut up, Aaron," Valerie says. "You're just worried that Kyle's going to take Melissa's money away from you."

Aaron tenses up at the mention of Melissa's will. He hasn't informed anyone that he's been removed from it, but he's positive that Robert knows all about it. "What makes you on his side now?"

"I'm on no one's side," Valerie says. "But the coffin was empty. Maybe that means he's...maybe he's telling the truth."

"What a family reunion," Matt says, grumbling.

"Can everyone quit talking about me like I'm not here?" Kyle says.

Everyone trades glances with one another, but they all remain silent. More waiting.



OUTSIDE SEAN MOORE'S ROOM

Leslie Hanley stands at the door to Sean's hospital room and clutches a Styrofoam cup of coffee. She flinches as she feels someone touch her arm. She quickly spins around to find her husband, Michael, smiling at her.

"Michael, what are you doing here?"

"Looking for Victor, have you seen him?"

Leslie shakes her head. "No."

"How are you doing?" Michael asks, sensing something wrong with his wife.

"Horrible. Like someone ripped out my heart and slammed it against the wall."

Michael frowns. "Oh."

"I'm sorry, you probably didn't want an honest answer."

"No, I did. I love you."

"I know."

"And I'll support you however I can, because you're my wife —"

"But I'm not," Leslie says.

"What?"

Leslie takes a deep breath, thinking about everything that's been running through her head since Sean returned. "I'm not your wife. Sean isn't dead, Michael. I was married to him...so I'm still married to him now. He's my husband."

Michael bites his lip to contain his anger. "He also thinks he's my wife. Perhaps now isn't the best time to examine all of our marital statuses."

"Aaron examined him. We all used to be friends, once upon a time. There had to have been some accident, after the car explosion, that caused him to regress to these memories. I just want to know what happened to my husband," Leslie insists. "And I want to know where the hell he's been for the past six years."

Leslie pulls open the door to Sean's room and goes inside. As the door swings shut behind her, Michael slams his fist against the wall. As much as he wants to follow Leslie and have it out about this, he can't. He has to find the man responsible for all of this.

He has to find Victor Collins.



HANLEY HOME

"Do you think my outfit makes you look fat?"

"Sure."

Julia Mitchell sighs and crosses to the bed where her best friend, Akilah Moore, sits. She takes a seat next to Akilah.

"You weren't even listening to what I said, were you?"

"No," Akilah says. "I'm sorry. It's just...I'm not feeling very social today. I'm sorry."

"Is it about your Dad?"

"I'm just feeling really tired, that's all."

"Maybe you'd feel better if you opened up to me a little. About —"

"What's there to tell?" Akilah demands. "I ran away from home when I saw my Dad in the living room...still alive...when he should be dead. Things like that don't just happen, Julia."

"I wish they did more often."

Akilah notices the sadness in Julia's face. She responds abrasively, "I didn't mean for you to bring up your mother."

Taken aback by Akilah's lack of sympathy, Julia emphatically slides away from her friend. "Maybe I should go."

Akilah stands as well. "Sounds like a good idea. Thanks for stopping by."

Julia hurries to the door, but stops herself before she opens it. "Look, do you still want me to help you with prepare for your Blackthornes audition?"

"I don't think I'm going to be doing that anymore," Akilah insists. "It seems stupid."

Julia rolls her eyes. "It's all you've been talking about for the past few months, but whatever. Fine." She goes out of the room.

Once Julia is gone, Akilah stares at the door for a brief moment. And then, almost without warning, tears swell in her eyes. Her attitude toward Julia was all she could do to get her friend out of the room. She can't spend any time talking about where she was for two weeks.

Where she ran away to.

Because she honestly can't remember. Anything.



MARQUETTE COVE MEMORIAL HOSPITAL

Victor Collins finishes dumping the contents of his desk into his bag and zips it up. He glances toward the door, making sure the coast is still clear. He knows that Michael is in the hospital.

He has to be looking for him.

But he won't find Victor. No one will. It's inconvenient that all of this has happened at the same time as his daughter's kidnapping by some mysterious organization called The Suite, but now his leaving to find her will fortunately keep him out of the line of Michael's fire.

Pissing off a Hanley is never a good career move. His cellphone vibrates in his pocket, but Victor knows who it is already. He ignores the call and hurries out of the office.



OUTSIDE THE DNA LAB

Dr. Anderson clears his throat as he stands before everyone in the waiting room. He surveys the anxious faces and lowers the folder in his hands. "I won't keep everyone in suspense any longer. The man seated before you all is Matthew's father, and so it appears that this really is Kyle Maddock."

"He's...he's Kyle?" Valerie says, gripping her chair and turning toward him.

"It's really me, Valley Girl," Kyle says.

"I need a moment," she says quickly, standing up. Valerie hurries out of the waiting area, followed by Robert.

Matt rolls his eyes. "Well, this was fun. Welcome back from the dead, Dad. I'm peacing out."

Felicia and Simon mutter half-hearted congratulations and condolences to Kyle as they follow Matt toward the exit, leaving Aaron alone with Kyle. Aaron still feels uncomfortable as Kyle smiles at him.

"Hey cousin," Kyle says, stepping forward to embrace Aaron. "It's good to be home."



HANLEY HOME

As Vincent Moore opens the front door to the mansion, he's almost immediately rammed into by a quick-stepped Julia. She knocks his iPhone out of his hands, causing it to skitter to the ground and slide across the pavement.

"Hey! What the hell is wrong with you?"

"I'm sorry," Julia says, picking up his fallen phone and handing it back to him. "I'd offer to pay for any damages, but...you know, you're the one who lives in the mansion."

"Right," Vince nods. "How are you?"

"Akilah, she's —"

"Being a huge bitch?" Vince offers. "Yeah, I know. I got the matinee this morning, so I decided to go for a drive."

"Sounds good," Julia says. "Or rather, a walk, since I don't have...a car."

"I'll drive you home if you want."

"No, it's fine, I can..."

Vince rests a hand on her shoulder. "Hey, don't worry. I'm not gonna ask you to date me again."

Julia smirks. "Fine."

"Not that a date with me is that awful..."

"Vincent..."

Vince leads the way to his car. "I'm kidding!"



MARQUETTE COVE MEMORIAL HOSPITAL

As Kyle says goodbye to Aaron, he notices Rebecca hovering out of the corner of his eyes. He shoots her a dirty glare then advances on her and Kane.

"What are you doing here? I told you to wait in the morgue," Kyle says.

"The morgue is not my scene," Rebecca says, frowning. "What is this little meeting about anyway?"

"Our plans for the Bale family. And my treacherous cousin, Aaron."

"It's a good thing this DNA test worked out so well."

"What are you implying?" Kyle says. "I am Kyle Maddock."

"What do you want from us?" Kane says, interjecting.

"I want your mother to stay close to Aaron until my plans are ready. There's one other aspect that hasn't come into play yet...but once it does, I will have my revenge."

As Rebecca becomes increasingly tense, Kane obligingly rubs her shoulders, calming her down as they glance around the waiting room nervously.

"I'm going to need more money," Rebecca says. "If you want me to keep up this fa�ade."

"I don't see how pretending to be a dead man's widow has anything to do with money."

"Grease my fucking wheels, Maddock," Rebecca says, snapping. "I'm sick and tired of living in that goddamn Emerald Motel."

"Ditto," Kane says.

Kyle sighs loudly. "I'll work something out, but I'd lay off the threats, Rebecca." His eyes move back and forth between Rebecca and Kane. "I know some of your secrets."

Rebecca smirks. "But revealing that would just go and ruin all of your plans, wouldn't it?"

She drags Kane toward the elevator with her. As they leave, Kyle reaches into his pocket and removes a plastic name badge. His picture is on it, but the name — Brent Zigeler — is decidedly not his.

He places the badge onto his chest and makes his way down the hospital corridor.



MICHAEL HANLEY'S CAR

Michael's eyes nearly melt his car windshield as he stares flames at the car in front of his. He recognizes the car. The license plates. The driver.

Victor.

For years, he's been one of Michael's closest confidantes. He's been privy to everything that Michael has gone through, all of his grand plans to reclaim the fortune and family name that Michael's own father attempted to keep from him.

He's been with Michael as he tried to hold onto his marriage with Elizabeth, despite insurmountable problems. He was there as Michael fell in love with Felicia before she married Robert and before Michael discovered she was his sister.

And when Sean Moore became a liability Michael could no longer afford, it was Victor who came up with the idea to remove Sean's memories. Little did Michael know, Victor had practiced his method before on Michael's wife. All of these years...all of these lies.

Michael hates Victor more than anything at this moment. And he feels more than the slightest bit of elation as he rams his car into the back of Victor's, causing him to swerve to the side of the road.

Victor's car comes to a complete stop and Michael bounds out of his driver's seat, his eyes filled with rage.

"Michael, stop it," Victor says, remaining in his car. "You don't want to do this!"

"Get out of the goddamn car, Victor," Michael says, snarling. "Get out!"

Victor reluctantly opens the car door. Michael grabs his arm and pulls him out, then he shoves him toward the bridge overlooking the Emerald Lake. There's no one surrounding them for miles, but Michael doesn't even have the foresight to pay attention to that now.

He's running on pure adrenaline. Pure emotion.

"You don't understand what's happening. My daughter, she's been —"

Michael removes the gun from his pocket and aims it at Victor. "I don't give a fuck about your daughter! You lied to me! You've been lying to me for years!"

"I worked for your father! First and foremost, I was always owned by Kevin Hanley."

"He's dead —"

"— Isn't there anything we can..."

"— and you're going to join your boss in the big office in hell," Michael finishes, firing the gun. He loses track of how many times he pulls the trigger, but the impact of the bullets causes Victor to stumble back, hitting the bridge railing.

Victor goes sailing over the bridge, plummeting to the lake below. After a few moments of silence, Michael drops the gun and rushes to the edge of the bridge. He peers down into the murky water, looking for some sign of Victor's body.

But all he sees is blood.

Small traces of blood that will soon be washed way.