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At Crimson Lights, Chance asks what he just walked in on. Summer lies that she and Sharon were talking about Marchetti’s next fashion line. She walks out. Chance tells Sharon that he suspects they were talking about him. Sharon confesses they were talking about him and singing his praises. Chance got a different vibe, but won’t press. They kiss.

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In Claire’s room, she asks Victoria how long she’s been there. Victoria says not long, and asks how she’s feeling. Claire’s not sure how to answer. She notices Victoria brought her some books. Victoria says they’re a few of her favorites. Claire asks if she was reading to her while she was asleep. Victoria was talking to her and they discuss Claire’s nightmares. She was dreaming about the cabin and Nikki and Jordan’s fight. In her dream she shot her aunt and killed her. In real life she couldn’t do it. Victoria’s sorry she has to go through that, but it makes sense that her mind is trying to kill her connection to her aunt, so her hold over her life will be gone for good. Claire feels guilty about it. Victoria guesses she feels guilty about everything. Maybe this is her mind’s way of working through it and getting rid of the hurt. She asks if she’s feeling comfortable there. Claire just feels more and more frightened.

Victoria assures Claire that she’s safe now. Jordan’s never coming back for her. Claire finds it all terrifying and fears she may never escape her past or her nightmares. She’s afraid she’ll never really sleep again or feel safe. Victoria soothes that it’s not going to be like this forever. She just needs time, rest, and therapy. “Cole and I will be here for you.” Claire asks, “How?” She never imagined in a million years that her real mom would be by her bedside trying to make sure she’s OK. “But I don’t know what comes next, and I don’t know if I’m strong enough to face whatever it is.” Victoria reminds her she’s survived so much already, and that strength will get her through. Claire confides that she dreads the therapy sessions. She wants to erase her entire life from her brain. Victoria tells her that she has to accept what happened and understand it’s not her fault. She can have a normal life and find real happiness. Claire feels she doesn’t deserve happiness, “What if I don’t even deserve to get better?”

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Victoria tells Claire she deserves happiness, and to get better, and isn’t to blame for what happened. Claire argues she’s not a child and knows the difference between right and wrong. She went along with Jordan’s plan willingly. Victoria feels she didn’t have much choice given Jordan groomed her to do those things. Claire asks if she’s still locked up. Victoria assures her she is and she hopes she spends the rest of her miserable life there. Claire worries about what will happen if she somehow gets out. Victoria promises she won’t let that happen. She’ll pay for what she did, “Far away from you and locked up away from the rest of us.” Claire asks how Victoria can be so supportive and comforting, “How can you even stand to look at me?”

In her office at Newman Media, Nikki flashes back to the vodka IV drip in the lake house. She gasps, “Stop it, stop it, stop it! Get out of my head!” Audra appears, concerned, and ask, “Nikki! Are you alright?!” Audra has some idea what she’s going through. Nikki snaps, “Do ya’ now?” Audra says fighting alcoholism is a never-ending war of temptation and willpower. She knows how stress and trauma can have an effect on the fight. She knows this because she lived on the battlefield with her father until he lost the war. Nikki’s sorry and realizes it must be difficult to share something so private. Audra’s point is that she know how difficult it can be and the toll it can take on you and your family, “So, if you ever need anyone to talk to…”

Audra opens up that she grew up recognizing the signs of someone fighting their urge to drink. Nikki informs her that she needn’t worry, she and the family will be fine, “Thank you for your concern.” Audra says, “I understand,” and files out.

Summer arrives at Daniel’s place and admires Sally’s work. Her brother asks if she came over to critique his décor. She saw it at Christmas. Summer claims she came over to see how he and Lucy were doing. Daniel asks her to stop. “What’s really going on?” Summer admits she needed to talk. He guesses it’s about Chance. Summer finds it embarrassing that everyone seems to know what she’s feeling. She shakes her head, “I don’t know what I’m doing.” She’s a CEO and a mom and doesn’t have time to be tied in knots over a guy who’s involved with someone else. Daniel doesn’t know what to tell her — he’s busy with his own emotional mess. Summer asks, “Is it Lily?” Daniel doesn’t want to talk about it, but Summer argues that he brought it up. Daniel confides that Heather may be trying to start up something romantic between them. Summer questions, “Why wouldn’t she want to rekindle things?” Heather probably wants to put her family back together. Doesn’t he want to see if there’s still a spark there. Daniel protests that they both moved on. Summer argues that doesn’t stop people from feeling their feelings and acting on them. Daniel points out it’s stopped her from acting on her feelings for Chance. Summer says, “Chance was never mine to begin with.”

Summer tells Daniel that she and Chance have never even been on a date, but he and Heather have a history. They’d probably still be together if he hadn’t screwed up. Daniel doesn’t want Summer to have regrets. Summer won’t chase after him while he’s with Sharon. Daniel thinks Heather should respect that he’s moved on, “Lily and I are doing just fine.” Summer asks if he’s told Heather that. Daniel replies, “Absolutely.” Summer feels that as long as he’s not sending mixed messages, then she’ll accept it. Talk turns back to Chance and Daniel thinks Summer’s making excuses. He guesses Phyllis told her to go for it. Summer confirms this, “You know our mom.” Daniel asks if she’s hoping he’ll contradict their mother or back her up.

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At Crimson Lights, Sharon tells Chance that her launch is set for next week. He’s excited for her and will get his suit clean. He updates her on his progress at Chancellor and Billy being his mentor. Sharon says he has a lot of experience in the corporate world. Chance isn’t sure he wants his influence right off the bat. Sharon has a question for him, “If you and I weren’t dating and Summer asked you out, would you be interested?” Chance wonders where this is coming from. Sharon says it’s something she’s picked up on. She lights up when he walks into a room. Chance thinks she’s reaching, “We’re nothing but friends.” Sharon asks him to humor her, “If you and I were not going out, would you be interested in dating her?” Chance has no idea. There is something he does know, however, “That I’m dating you and I like what we have.” She asks him to tell her just what is it they have.

Nikki sidles up to the bar at Society and orders a sparkling water. When the bartender deals with other customers, she adds vodka from her flask to the water. Nate walks in and hopes she’s not upset with him. She points out he told her husband she’s drinking again, so she’s not real thrilled with him. Nate asks, “OK, but was I wrong?”

In Claire’s room, Victoria tells her that looking into her eyes isn’t hard for her. She wants the best for her. The more she’s around her, the more she sees the courage and strength that’s inside of her. She saved her mother’s life and stood up to her aunt, “I’m so proud of you.” Claire saw the fear and anger in their faces at the lake house. Victoria insists she’s being honest with her. She has faith in her and the life that she can have. They can work on it together. Claire thinks maybe Victoria’s still in shock. What happens when she sees she’s not that sweet, innocent baby. There’s nothing left but a horrible person who tortured her. If she realizes that, the look in her eyes might just kill her. Victoria vows that she and Cole would never look at her that way. Claire argues that’s not a promise she can keep. Victoria asks her not to shut them out. Claire is sorry, but every time she sees them, she gets a knot in her stomach bracing for when they hate her again. Their baby died. Claire is someone else. Victoria insists to Claire that she’s not in this alone. “We’ll get through it together.” Claire says she’s not strong or brave. “You’ll always be the parents that abandoned me, and I’ll always be the person who tortured you and my family.” She asks Victoria to go, “And never come back.” Victoria thinks they need to take this slow. Claire hollers, “Just go! And don’t come back!” She’ll tell them not to let her visit. Victoria pleads with her not to do this. “Let me help you through this.” She takes her purse and coat and goes.

At Society, Nate insists to Nikki that he was just concerned about her. The doctor’s instinct is something you never lose. Nikki insists that her family is aware of her journey. They’ll be fine and there’s no need for him to worry any longer. Nate urges her to stay strong and take care of herself. Nikki abandons her drink and leaves.

At Daniel’s place, Summer tells him she’s tried everything to distract herself from her feelings for Chance, but every time she sees him the feelings and questions creep back in. Daniel teases that she’s infatuated. Summer can’t help but wonder if it does go both ways. Daniel asks if she has any reason to think he and Sharon aren’t happy.

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At Crimson Lights, Chance asks Sharon what’s with the questions. Does she think he’s developing feelings for Summer. Sharon shrugs that she’s a beautiful and successful woman. Chance says, “So are you.” He wonders if this is her sneaky way of ending things between them.

Sharon insists that’s not what she’s doing at all. She adores spending time with him. They kiss. Sharon has to be honest with him, however. She’s not really looking for a serious relationship right now. Chance is perfectly happy with the way things are. Sharon knows he has a big heart to share and his last relationship got cut short. She wouldn’t want to lead him on or hold him back. Chance insists he’s right where he wants to be, doing exactly what he wants to do, “With you.” They kiss again.

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At Daniel’s place, Summer confesses to her brother that she had a conversation with Sharon earlier and got the impression that she Chance hadn’t discussed a future together. Daniel muses, “That sounds like me and Lily.” Summer isn’t surprised then, that Heather thought she could test the waters. She decides, “Screw it.” She’s going to do the same thing with Chance.

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Victoria interrupts Nikki and Audra at Newman Media and asks to speak to her mother alone. Audra exits and closes the door. Nikki asks if everything is alright. Victoria asks how her mother is feeling and if she’s ready to be back at work. Nikki thought it would be a good distraction, but she almost drank earlier. Victoria’s relieved to hear she stopped. Nikki admits it was Nate who pulled her back when she ran into him at Society. Victoria says he’s a kind and compassionate man. Nikki asks what’s going on with Victoria. She sighs, “It’s Claire.” She’s scared that she might be losing her again — this time forever.