Original subtitles

(mysterious music) (insects chirping)

- Mrs. Whitfield?

I'm turning in for the night. I have some fresh towels.

Mrs. Whitfield?

(dramatic music)

(scream)

Xander!

(running footsteps)

It's your mother. Call 911!

(ominous music)

(mysterious music)

(phone ringing)

- Hello.

- Hi, xander, handsome man.

- How are you doing? - Good.

Just checked into the hotel.

You at your dad's yet?

- Not yet. Almost there.

I can only imagine what surprises

He has in store for the family. - I know.

I wish I could be there with you.

Sounds kind of important.

- Ah, don't worry about it, hon.

I know that you are slammed

With your research for the charleston article.

- Well,

I'm almost done with that, actually.

Cindy's about to call me with my next assignment.

You know...

I am a little curious about how your family

Is going to react to our whirlwind romance.

- Oh, sweetheart. They are going to be

Just as crazy about you as I am.

And we'll set up the time soon where we can all get together.

- Okay.

- Well, anyway. I got to go.

I'll talk to you soon, okay?

I love you. - Okay.

I love you. Bye.

(mysterious music)

- Xander! Oh, it's wonderful to see you.

- Thanks, mrs. Harper.

I'm sorry I'm late.

I know you were expecting me earlier.

- Ah, mrs. Whitfield just now appeared

To supervise the cooking.

- Of course, she did.

My lovely stepmother loves to keep everyone on their toes.

- Sonny!

Get mr. Whitfield's bag out of the car.

Come on in!

- You're kidding me.

Stan approved the article idea? (scoffs)

I thought he was done with profiles

On small quaint towns.

(laughs) no, that's great.

And no, I don't need any more time.

I just found my contact

At the local chamber of commerce.

Yup. (chuckles)

Xander's going to so excited when I show up tonight.

Thank you, thank you, thank you again!

Alright, bye. I'll be in touch.

(beep) (squeaks excitedly)

Can I get you something to eat or drink?

- No, I'm fine right now. Thanks.

- Hello, xander. - Marlena.

- Mrs. Harper, can you please check on dinner?

I don't want lionel to have

Something else to complain about.

- Yes, ma'am.

- So where's this beautiful new wife of yours?

I've been dying to see her.

Must of been love at first sight.

Running off to get married in las vegas so fast.

- She's busy with work.

- You wouldn't be hiding her from us,

Would you, xander? (nervous chuckle)

Well, your father is anxious to speak with you

Before this big announcement. Which better be a good one,

Considering all the trouble that he's putting us through.

- Xander!

- Hey, hey, little sis!

- I'm hardly little any more, xander.

- Nicole, the grad student.

Ah, I'm so proud of you.

Creative writing, right? - Hmm-hmm.

- Such a practical field of study.

So...

This ashley must make quite an impression on you.

- Audrey. - Right.

- And I guess you just know when you meet the right one.

- Oh, I can't wait to meet her.

Xander mentioned she's a travel writer

And plans to start work on a book.

- How interesting.

And how long are you going to be staying exactly?

Just so I can let mrs. Harper know how to prepare, of course.

- I guess it depends on what dad's got cooked up for us.

- Well, your father's downstairs playing pool.

So why don't you go down and try to figure out what he's up to

With calling this big family meeting.

- I'll see you in a bit.

- Why don't you...

Find something more flattering to wear?

Thanks.

(footsteps moving away)

- Father.

- About time you arrived.

I assume you brought this new wife of yours.

- Next time.

- Come on. Let's play some pool,

Maybe you'll win for once.

- You know when she does make it,

I really hope meeting everyone doesn't scare her off.

- We'll try and be on our best behaviour

Just for you.

- Can you tell me what this is all about?

- You want to play or not?

(sighs) - look...

I know the company took a financial hit.

It's depressing, given where we stood.

- Let's just say tonight's announcement

Will be life changing. For all of us.

(ominous music)

- You are a beautiful young woman, nicole.

Always know that.

- Not as beautiful as my mother though.

She never lets me forget it.

Do you remember the charity launching

For the hospital board she dragged me to last month?

- Go on.

- A guy I've had a crush on since middle school

Attended with his mother.

I was having

This great conversation with him.

We were really connecting.

And then, mother walked over,

Said she was ready to leave,

Laughed...

And said, "oh, nicole. Leave clayton alone.

I'm sure there are many beautiful young women

He'd like to speak to here this afternoon."

She did this right in front of him.

Why does she treat me like this?

- I think that it's hard for a woman like your mother

To see her youth slipping away.

She looks at you and she sees that the years have passed by.

This does not excuse her behavior

But I think it's at the root of it.

- Well, I've given up on my mother

Ever understanding me.

(birds chirping)

(light moaning)

(ominous music)

- We need to stop.

I have to upstairs for dinner.

(sighs)

- If you were worried about dinner,

You'd be up there. Not here with me.

- Listen, you have your charms,

But I needed a moment

To forget about everybody up there.

And you are very good at making me forget.

Zip me up. (light chuckle)

(throat clearing)

(sighs)

- So when are you going to leave the old bastard?

- You know I can't do that.

I've worked too hard to become this person.

I've just been worried we're getting too reckless.

You know? We need to be more careful.

People could come in at any time.

- Again, you were the one that came here.

- Yes, I did.

(sighs)

(mysterious music)

(tense music)

(moaning)

(sighs)

(mysterious music)

(engine rearing) (sinister tone)

- Oh, no, no, no. Not a flat.

(sighs)

No, no, no.

(sighs)

- Oh, teresa... You're here too.

- Good to see you too, xander.

(laughing)

- Dad didn't mention you were coming for dinner.

Warren. - Xander.

Looks like the gang's all gathered, huh?

- So if you're here... - Must be something interesting.

- Hmm.

- How's audrey?

- Good. She's busy with work

- I'm sure she is.

As a globe-trotting journalist? - Yeah.

- Very impressive.

And so is her family. (clicks tongue)

- Look, it's a good match for me.

- Well, my husband here is about to head to hawaii soon

For a three-week golf retreat. - Look at you.

- I do it every year now. I disconnect the entire time.

- It's pricey is what it is. - Lucky guy.

- Well, dinner should be really intriguing.

- Hmm-hmm. - Shall we?

- Let's.

(groans)

(sighs)

- There you go. All set.

- Really, can't thank you enough.

I don't I could've fixed that flat on my own.

- Yeah, look like you punctured it on a nail.

- Ooh...

There's not really much out here, is there?

- Yeah... It's pretty desolate.

Where are you headed?

- Camellia falls.

(chuckles) - that's where I'm from.

We'll be there in about an hour.

- I heard it's really beautiful. Picturesque even.

- It is. So what brings you to our town?

- The whitefield estate. Do you know it?

(chuckles nervously) - yeah, I know it.

- Oh, well, I just married xander whitfield.

- Xander whitfield.

- Uh-huh.

- You know? It's getting pretty late,

And I think the weather's about to turn.

So it's time for us to head back.

- Right. Thank you.

- Watch out for those nails.

(sinister music)

(glass clinking)

- I thought now would be a good time

To inform all of you

Of a consequential decision I've made.

(clicks tongue)

I decided to sell the company.

And all of its holdings to another developer.

Ward enterprises.

(sighs)

- Yeah, you can't do that.

- As the majority shareholder, I sure as hell can.

Sick and tired of all the day-to-day stress.

So I'm cashing my chips as they say.

Of course, that means all of you...

Who was used to living off of my generosity

Will have some big changes coming your way.

(tense music)

(laughing and clapping)

Big changes!

- You can't sell my mother's company.

(chair scraping)

- Teresa, I'm going to need to meet with you tomorrow

To draw up the new contracts.

- Yes, sir. - And young lady...

You're finally going to have to make

Some serious choices in your life.

I want you to learn

How to stand on your own two feet.

Big changes.

I'm going to my study. You all enjoy your desserts.

(ominous music)

- Well, that was fun. Can't wait to see what's next.

- It certainly puts a kink in our plans.

- Yes, it does. - Found your glasses, babe.

- Thank you. - I'll walk you guys to the car.

- Thanks.

- For you.

(ominous music) - where did you get these?

- They were a gift.

From a friend.

Imagine all of those hospital board members

Whose opinions you value so much...

If they saw those.

I really doubt you'd still receive that award

For your charitable fundraising. Don't you?

- Lionel, this meant nothing.

I never meant to hurt you.

It was a mistake.

It's not like you never did the same thing to me.

Remember?

Only I forgave you, right?

And we moved past it.

- That was different.

- How? - It just is!

Don't forget where you were in life

When you first met me.

And how far you've come since marrying me.

I take that away. (snap)

You go right back where you came from.

Literally and figuratively.

- What are you going to do?

- What would be the fun in telling you that in advance?

- Please, lionel. Don't do this.

- I made you.

And I can destroy you.

(tense music)

- You're not going to get rid of me that easily, lionel.

- We'll see about that, won't we?

Now get the hell out of my sight.

Now!

(ominous music)

- I am so glad that my sissy is home.

- I know. It's been forever.

- You know you can home more often, right?

- Yeah. - Door's always open.

- You know this town just holds too many memories for me.

(sighs) - yeah, it does.

Speaking of,

I met this nice young lady earlier.

I helped her change a spare tire.

She said she was coming here

To go to the whitfield mansion for the first time.

And...

Xander's her new husband.

- Did you tell her that you know the family?

Or about my connection to them?

- No.

- Well, those people are going to get

What they have coming to them one of these days.

(tense music)

- Teresa. I want you to start

Divorce proceedings against marlena.

I'm going to leave that bitch as penniless as she was

When she first arrived.

(footsteps approaching)

Don't worry!

You'll get your five percent of the company.

As promised, just do it.

(footsteps moving away)

- May I help you?

- Let me guess.

Mrs. Harper, the house manager?

- Yes, and you are?

- I'm audrey. Xander's wife.

- Oh! Oh! How wonderful! Come in!

I didn't realize you were visiting.

(ominous music)

(sinister music swells) (running footsteps)

(banging)

(glass shattering)

- Dad? Dad!

Somebody call 911!

Oh my god! What happened?

Is he okay? - Dad, dad! Wake up!

Come on, come on, come on!

- Oh my god, mr. Whitfield!

- Audrey? - What happened?

- Call 911!

(tense music) - okay.

(beep)

(insects chirping) (owl hooting)

- Thank you, detective.

(ominous music)

- Xander.

What exactly did you tell the police?

- I told them what happened.

That he slipped on the stairs and hit his head.

(audrey sighs) - so awful.

- I mean, he was always three sheets to the wind.

It's no surprise he would head first down the stairs.

- Mother, how could you say that?

- Because it's true. - I'm sorry, nicole.

- The detective said to call if we think of anything else.

- What else is there? It's cut and dry.

I'm going back inside.

(engine rearing)

- Xander.

Nicole called me. What happened to uncle lionel?

- He slipped down the stairs.

He died before the paramedics even got here.

They just took his body.

- What can we do to help?

- Nothing.

(sobbing)

(sad music)

- Audrey was coming to surprise me.

- Damn.

What an introduction.

(ominous music)

- Oh, hi.

I just came down for some water too.

Is there anything I can do for you, nicole?

Such a sad day for the family.

- I'm so sorry you came here.

This place has been

And always will be full of secrets.

(eerie music)

(mysterious music)

(sighs)(

- Well,

This service was much smaller than I expected.

I guess because it was thrown together so fast, right?

- Dad left strict instructions to be cremated

And have a small family service the day after he died.

Not one for sentimentality, I guess.

- Oh, xander.

(sighs)

How are you, really?

- We weren't close, you know?

But he was still my father.

- Yeah, of course, he was.

(sighs)

I'm just happy I can be here for you.

- You're the best thing that's ever happened to me.

(chuckles)

- It's just all that carefully orchestrated drama

At dinner.

Then, the man falls on the stairs that night

And dies.

It's ironic, right?

Some people might say he got exactly

What was coming to him.

(sinister tone swells)

(insects chirping)

(audrey): How are you, nicole?

- I don't even know, honestly.

I just feel numb.

- That's pretty normal, given the circumstances.

- Sometimes, I didn't even think he cared about me.

He never asked about my day or my dreams, or...

Well, anything.

- He was a complex man.

- Yeah. It's amazing

How many long-distance relatives

Have been calling

With their heartfelt condolences.

- Yeah. - People interested in hearing

Who's going to be taking the reigns of the company.

- I'm simply worn out from the day.

Please let mrs. Harper know if you need anything.

- Actually, hold on a second.

As uncle lionel's personal attorney,

It is my duty to carry out his final wishes.

And that includes the reading of his last will and testament.

He specifically stated that he wanted the reading

To take place at exactly 8:30 the morning after this funeral.

- Of course, he did. This is ridiculous.

He's not even here.

- He also made it a part of his wishes

That anyone who does not attend the reading

At exactly that time should be left out completely.

- We get it. We meet in the morning.

(footsteps moving away)

(ominous music)

(sighs)

(exhales heavily)

(sighs)

(mysterious music)

Can I help you? - Oh, hi!

I was just heading to the kitchen

To see if there was any herbal tea.

I'm having a little trouble sleeping.

- I believe mrs. Harper keeps them

In the cabinet above the coffee maker.

- Thanks!

Oh, I'll just head down there then.

(sighs)

- I got all your texts. Why do you need to see me?

- What's going to happen to us now that he's dead?

- Oh, please. Stop being so dramatic.

- Why do you have to be so mean, mary?

- I told you,

Never to call me that name in this house.

Mary doesn't exist any more, mother.

- But that's the name I gave you when you were born.

- Please. You act like you've been mother of the year.

You haven't been a mother to me in what, 30 years?

No, you were too busy

Bouncing from man to man when I was a kid.

You changed men faster then you did bedsheets.

And don't ever forget that you've only been allowed

To live here as house manager because of my generosity.

- But only if I don't tell anybody

Who you are or where you came from.

- Exactly.

- Do you have any idea how much pain this causes me?

Why are you so cruel?

- Says the woman

Who let her boyfriend have his way with me

When I was 15.

I spent years running from that memory

And remaking myself.

And you had the nerve to show up on my doorstep

Asking for help.

You're lucky I've allowed you this much.

Don't make me regret letting you stay here

More than I already do.

(kettle hissing)

- Oh! Oh my god, you scared me.

I didn't see you there.

- I just want to make sure you found everything you needed.

- I did. Thanks.

- You know, I've never seen xander

Move faster in a relationship than he has with you.

Not even with brianna. He...

Well, that's neither here nor there.

I'm sure you know all about his previous fiancée.

- Uh...

Yeah. Of course, I know all about brianna.

- I'm sure you do.

Well, you have a good night, dear.

Sleep well. I hope the tea helps.

(sighs)

(leaves rustling)

- Good morning.

- Good morning, beautiful.

- Oh my god, how long have you been up?

You could have woken me.

- Oh, no. You needed your rest.

About ready for breakfast before my dad's last big show.

(sighs)

- Right.

Let me jump in the shower real quick.

- Great.

- Hey...

You know you can tell me anything, right?

- You know, I...

I know...

I know you have to wonder

How I can so cold about my father's death.

- No, I'm not judging you at all.

Families can be complicated. I know that.

- Yeah, mine takes that to a whole new level.

(soft music)

When I told you

That my mother died from an accident,

I didn't tell you the whole story.

- What do you mean?

- So my father's overbearing personality

And philandering...

It drove her to drink.

And one night,

She self-medicated enough to the point

Where I found her dead in the bathtub.

- No, xander, that's so awful.

I'm sorry.

- What's up?

- Ah, well...

I ran into marlena.

On my way to the kitchen, and...

(sighs) I don't know, I just...

She didn't really seem happy for me to be here.

- Marlena can have a temper when she's stressed.

- I know, but...

I mean she came into the kitchen later.

And then, she brought up brianna.

- Brianna?

(xander sighs)

Hon, that ended ages ago.

- I know, I know.

- I think marlena just likes to push people's buttons

For fun sometimes.

(mysterious music)

- Good morning!

- Hey, sis. Blueberry muffin.

- Blueberry muffin, your favourite.

(chuckles) - coffee everyone?

- You read my mind.

- Not sure I'm ready for what's next.

- None of us are.

Thank you all so much for being up and ready

For uncle lionel's final wishes. I really appreciate that.

- So audrey, you and xander...

- You all met at an art auction, right?

- In la? - We did.

I guess you could say it was love at first sight.

- We were bidding on the same piece

And she won, of course.

But I was the real winner when she agreed on a date.

(laughing) - aw...

- Um, mrs. Harper, has marlena come down yet?

- My mother is always on her own clock.

(exhales)

- Pull yourself together.

(eerie music)

(sighs)

- Isn't it about time we begin?

- She's got about one more minute

Until she's written out of the will.

(resonating footsteps)

- You all wouldn't start without me, would you?

- Of course not.

(nails clicking)

- Well, are you going to keep us in suspense all day?

- "I, lionel whitfield, being of sound mind and body..."

- Do we really need to go through this whole part, teresa?

- Seems like patience is in short supply this morning,

So I'm going to skip ahead a little bit

- Thank you. - "for my devoted employee,

Agnes harper, I leave a sum of 50000 dollars."

- I wasn't expecting that.

- It's more than fair.

- "for my niece, teresa whitfield,

I leave a 10 percent share in my company

For her loyal service over the years."

- He left you 10 percent of the company?

(marlena scoffs) why?

- Teresa's been working exclusively for dad for years.

It's what she deserves.

- Fine.

Fine, just continue.

- "and for my wife, marlena whitfield...

(clears throat)

For a total of three-years, she may stay in the house

And receive a yearly allowance of 150 000 dollars.

At the end of the three-year term,

She must leave the house

And shall receive nothing further from my estate.

By the end of those three years..."

(tense music)

- What?

What did he say?

- "I'm sure by the end of that time,

She will have met another rich millionaire

To take care of her." (xander chuckles)

- Ungrateful bastard. (chuckles)

Gave him the best years of my life.

This is insane. I mean what?

Is he trying to leave me for broke?

- I'd hardly say

That amount of money was "broke", marlena.

- I don't remember asking your opinion about any of this.

(chuckles) why are you here?

Why is audrey here?

- She's my wife.

I asked her to be here.

- Can I continue, please?

- Please.

- "my son, xander, and daughter, nicole

Shall equally split

The remaining 90% of the company shares.

While xander oversees the company,

Nicole's share will be kept in a trust

Until the age of 35

With a generous yearly allowance."

- What about the rest?

The cash, the investments, the house.

- That's in the next part. - And...

- "I leave the rest of my estate in its entirety

To my daughter, nicole whitfield."

- Me? - Uh-huh.

- Nicole knows absolutely nothing

About taking care of an estate.

- Well, that's the reason for the next provision.

"until nicole's 35th birthday as mentioned earlier,

Her brother xander, as part of his duties,

Shall serve as guardian over her finances and trusts."

- May as well have cut me off completely.

This will never stand up in court.

I mean, I was his wife, after all.

I'm entitled to so much more.

- I'm very sorry.

I'm not the one who made these decisions.

Your husband did.

- Yeah, well, we'll just see about this.

Enjoy.

(tense music)

(teresa): Let me know if you need anything, okay?

- Yeah, will do. - Ready to go?

- Coming, babe.

Arrivederci.

- Hey, don't worry.

We're going to figure this out, okay?

- I'm going to need your help with this, xander.

None of this was part of my plan for life.

- I know. We'll talk about it later, okay?

- Okay. - Come here.

(sighs)

(chuckles)

- How are you?

- I'm good.

To be honest,

I'm just surprised dad was as generous with me as he was.

I'm sorry, I need to go talk to teresa for a minute.

- Sure, sure.

- Thanks.

Hey, wait up!

- Our plan... - Worked perfectly.

- We're all finally going to get what we deserve.

- Yeah.

Is it done?

- The bastard never even noticed

That I switched the wills on him.

- So how much time does lionel have?

- A few months.

Cancer is untreatable now.

I had to pay that doctor handsomely

To get the real information on his health,

But it was worth it, obviously.

Marlena still has no clue he's even sick.

She'd probably throw a dinner party to celebrate

If she did.

- And of course,

He said nothing to his own kids.

- That man has probably

Walked drunk up and down those stairs

A million times. - I know.

- How did we get so lucky?

- Maybe karma finally caught up to him.

- Hey, do you think you can convince audrey's family

To invest enough money

So we can get this company back on track?

- I'm working on it. It's going to be a lot easier

Now that we're married, alright?

This time next year,

Everything is going to be different.

I'm finding I have a lot more feelings for audrey

Than I even thought I could.

- Okay.

- Alright, loverboy.

(tense music)

- Ma'am.

- That will be all for now, thank you.

- Hello, mrs. Whitfield.

I'm andrew from the funeral home.

- I assumed as much

Since you have the urn in your hands.

- I wanted to personally deliver to you

Mr. Whitfield's remains after you left them behind.

It's understandable.

When you're grieving, it's easy to get distracted.

So please,

Accept my condolences during your difficult times.

- I'm sorry, what was your name again?

-Andre, ma'am.

- Can you do me a favour, andrew,

In my time of need? - Of course. Name it.

We strive to help all of our families

In anyway we can. - Perfect.

And I want you to take the remains of my husband

And dispose of them.

(chuckles nervously) - I'm sorry, what?

- Oh, was I not clear? Let me be more specific.

I want you to take these ashes and flush them down the toilet.

- But ma'am... - Please, andrew.

Do a widow a favour

And get rid of whatever remains of my husband permanently.

Okay?

Since the fall down the stairs didn't do it.

And don't worry.

You'll be properly compensated for the... Disposal.

- Ma'am, I don't think that's ethical on my part.

(chuckles) - andrew, andrew, andrew.

Ethical and my husband have never gone together.

So why start now?

You may see yourself out.

(ominous music)

It's me. I need to see you right away.

Well, make time!

- Are you okay? - Far from it!

- What are you going to do?

- I have an important meeting. And if this doesn't work,

Then I have another trump card that I may be forced to play.

Ah! Even in death, this man wants to torture me

By keeping me chained to this house

And putting me on a measly allowance.

As if I was a five-year-old!

- Okay. So what do you want to do now?

- Sonny... So young, so naive.

Don't you know by now that I get what I want,

When I want it? I have a plan.

- I thought you didn't like it when I got this sweaty.

- I don't care today.

I don't mind sweat.

(tense music)

- Oh, hi!

- Hey.

Sorry, I've got to get to dad's office.

Start figuring things out.

- Have you thought about

Maybe where you want to run the company from?

- We got a lot of decisions to make.

Got to think about your career too.

Actually,

I was thinking we could go to chicago,

Spend some time with your family.

- Really? - Yeah.

I can work remotely. Get to know them better.

- My dad would love that.

And I know he would love to talk business with you.

- Hmm-hmm.

- Have a good day, babe. - I'll see you tonight.

- See you tonight.

(sighs)

- Audrey! - Oh, hi, nicole.

How are you? - I was wondering

What your plans are for the day

If maybe you would want to go for a walk?

- I would love that.

Let me just make a quick phone call first

And I'll meet you out back. - Okay, great.

(phone ringing)

- Hello, chamber of commerce. Charles speaking.

- Hi, charles. My name is audrey sinclair.

I'm a writer for see the world magazine.

I sent you an email earlier

Regarding setting up an informational meeting.

I just arrived in town a few days ago,

And I'm considering writing an article

On what your town has to offer for visitors.

- Of course.

I'm sorry, but this may sound odd.

But your voice sounds very familiar.

Are you the audrey that I helped change a spare tire?

- What? Chip? (charles chuckles)

- Yup, that's me.

They call me charles in the office.

- Oh my gosh.

You really saved the day the other night, chip.

- Are you still at the whitfield's?

- Yes, I am.

I am. Um...

I don't know if you heard but my father-in-law, he...

- Lionel whitfield, he died.

It's a small town. - Right, of course.

(audrey sighs) um, so...

Would you still be open to having that meeting?

- Of course! How about later today?

Just come by my office. We'll take it from there.

- That works perfect. Thanks so much.

- See you soon.

- I'm so glad xander found someone

Wonderful like you to have in his life.

He's really been the only person I can count on.

- Well, you mean a lot to him too.

- I wasn't close to my father and xande

R since he's so much older than me.

Always trying to make up for our dad's shortcomings.

- Were you able to visit him in los angeles?

- Not yet.

I tried to plan a trip two summers ago, but...

- What happened?

- I don't think his girlfriend at the time,

Brianna, liked me very much,

So I never made it to la.

- Oh, yeah.

Brianna, yeah... (nervous chuckling)

Um, xander did tell me a little bit

About his relationship with brianna.

- She wasn't good for him.

- Yeah? In what way?

- I feel like she tried to keep him all to herself

And away from his family.

- Does she live around here?

- Yeah, she grew up nearby,

But I don't know where she is now.

Her brother, chip,

Runs the local chamber of commerce.

I'm surprised he didn't tell you more about her.

What is it? Is everything okay?

- Yeah, nothing.

(chuckles) um...

How about we head back to the house?

- Okay.

- I just spoke to audrey, xander's wife.

She's a travel writer

And she wants to do an article on our town.

- Okay, well, she needs to know who she's dealing with

If she doesn't already.

- Are you sure you want to talk to her?

I mean, do you really want to get involved

In that mess of a family again? - Look...

If I can save someone from what I went through,

Then it'll be worth it.

- Okay, sis.

Your call.

(sighs)

- What a crazy couple of days.

- Don't worry.

I've been taking care of things here.

And now, we finally have a chance

To do things our way.

- I've made sure I tied up all loose ends

And paid all the bills before I leave.

- Thank you. That was very sweet of you.

- Well, it's the least I can do

Since you two are going to make us rich.

- I'll try to get home before you leave for the airport, okay?

- Please do. - Alright.

- I love you. - I love you as well, baby.

- Let's get to work. - Yes, sir.

- Look, you can come and visit

Me and xander anytime you like.

No matter where we are.

- Yeah, I need to out of here.

Too many memories,

And my mother and I are not close.

- I'm sorry, nicole.

Hey, you okay?

- So much as I disliked my father...

I cannot say this out loud,

You're going to think that I am crazy.

- No, you can trust me.

- Something seems off.

About his death. I mean,

That man walked up and down those stairs

All of the time and never fell

Even when he was drinking.

- Accidents happen?

I don't know, maybe he tripped.

- I was in my room when I heard him fall.

And then, I went out into the hall...

- And?

- And I saw my mother.

Looking down at my father's body at the bottom of the stairs

And she looked so calm.

You can't tell anyone, okay?

- Of course.

I promise.

- I think my mother might have pushed him down the stairs.

I mean, she can be downright evil.

- What do you mean, "evil?"

(mysterious music)

- She locked me in the attic

Overnight without food or water when I was six years old.

She said I had disobeyed her.

Our maid at the time heard my screams

The next morning and let me out.

Ever since then, I knew she wasn't capable

Of loving me the way a mother should.

And she hasn't been faithful to my father

When I caught her with another man...

She threatened me not to tell anyone.

And when she gets mad,

She gets furious.

- Oh, nicole.

That's so much for you to hold.

- Yeah.

I wonder if karma will ever come for my mother.

(ominous music)

(city rumble)

(high-heels clacking)

- He's expecting me.

Zach.

Thanks for fitting me in so quickly.

- Yeah, sure.

Look, I don't have much time, I'm doing court in an hour.

- Well, I was hoping that perhaps you could help me

Due to our special friendship.

- Why don't you tell me what you need?

- Aren't you going to offer me your condolences?

I mean there's no way you haven't heard

About lionel's death in this one night town.

- Somehow I didn't imagine you were too broken up about it.

- Well, son of a bitch try to cut me out of his will

And I am not going to stand for it.

- And you want me to... - Help me fight it.

Even if we have to go to court.

You must have some sort of sway with the system.

- Marlena, contesting a will can take quite a long time.

It's litigation, we're talking depositions,

Gathering evidence.

Not too much mention the courts are backed up.

A trial could take up to a year and a half just to schedule.

And it's very rare to win.

- Well, what am I supposed to do in the meantime?

You know what? If you don't help me,

Then I might be forced to tell your wife

What the two of us did in your guest bedroom

The night of her 40th birthday party.

- Look, I was drunk, okay?

I didn't know what I was doing. (marlena laughs)

- I beg to differ.

You knew exactly what you were doing.

So if I were you,

I would find a way to speed things up.

(ominous music)

(phone ringing)

- Well, well.

Finally, it's about time you called me.

I don't know,

You tell me what my silence is worth?

You don't want me to tell my wife or xander

About our little side deal,

Nor do you want me to tell them what you did?

Trust me.

You do not want to call my bluff.

I'm hoping that we can reach some sort of an agreement.

Perfect. I'll see you then.

(ominous music)

(laughing)

(birds chirping)

(door creaking)

- Hey! - No one saw you, did they?

- No, of course not. I was extra careful.

Hey.

Look, I love you so much,

And I hate that we need to sneak around in secret.

How much longer do we have to do this?

I want the entire world to know how much I love you.

- Soon.

We can finally get out of here, be together,

And start our lives anew.

(tense music)

What's wrong?

(sighs)

- Do I have to sleep with your mother again?

I mean, marlena is going to be beyond angry

When this all plays out.

She'll probably try to kill me.

- I have to play this perfectly

If I'm going to destroy my mother's social standing,

Get her out of this town

And my life.

Okay?

So it's scheduled to go out before she receives

That bogus humanitarian of the year award

And before the interview is published.

All she did was write a check.

I want my mother to think long and hard

About how she locked me in the attic.

I want to see the beginning of the video.

- What? Why would you want...

- Not the whole thing just the beginning.

(suspenseful music)

My father would have never dreamed

That I was the one who sent him this video.

Oh, this is going to ruin her reputation.

(nicole chuckles) god, she'll be horrified.

When we leave here...

We can finally start our lives over.

Did you mean it?

When you said you would do anything

Because of how much you loved me?

(sonny scoffs) - you know I did.

I mean, look at everything I've already done.

(sighs)

You're the first person that ever saw me.

The real me.

Not just some guy from the wrong side of town.

- Oh, I totally forgot.

I told xander I'd grab a late lunch with him.

But you'll never betray me, right, sonny?

- Of course not.

I love you more than anything.

(ominous music)

- Dad had so many deals going on

That I didn't even know about.

I had to move the overflow to the conference room.

How's it going over there?

- Uh, fine.

Fine.

You're family sure is interesting.

- Oh, no. What happened?

- Nothing. I mean... Nothing to worry about.

I don't think.

We'll talk about it later tonight, okay?

- Alright.

Well, I got to go. I love you.

- Yeah, I love you too.

(sighs)

- Things are coming along wonderfully, aren't they?

- Yeah.

- I will admit,

I was more than a little worried about nicole

And if she could really play that part

During the will reading.

- She did it though. - Uh-huh.

- But if she hadn't overheard us...

- I know.

- Is it done? - Yeah.

The bastard never even noticed

That I switched the wills on him.

- Babe... (teresa chuckles)

You're a genius for pulling this off.

(laughing)

- Do you guys want to clue me in

On exactly what's going on here?

- I had my doubts

If we could bring nicole in on the plan, but...

- Oh, speaking of which.

All's well that ends well though.

- It all happened quicker than expected.

- Thanks to booze and steep stairs.

- Hey! - Hi.

- Hello.

- So did I do a good job at the will reading?

Did I act surprised enough? - You were brilliant.

You played the surprise beneficiary perfectly.

- So did I make you proud?

- Of course. You always do.

And now, we can focus

On getting mom's company back to the glory days.

- Yes.

(city rumble)

- Audrey. Nice to see you again.

- Well, chip, if it isn't my roadside saviour.

What are the odds? (laughing)

- I must admit. I had to do my research,

But I absolutely loved your travel articles.

- Thank you. - I can't thank you enough

For doing this article on our quaint little town.

- No, thank you for meeting me and to give me the grand tour.

- My pleasure. Let's go.

Camellia falls' primary economic driver

Was a paper factory.

It closed down a while back.

- Interesting, and when did you start

Developing your tourism here?

- About ten years ago.

We transformed an empty downtown

Into a vibrant and bustling shop industry.

- Well, I can see why it would make a perfect weekend getaway.

- That's exactly what I'm hoping that you're going to write.

(chuckling)

So, how has it been staying at the whitfields?

- Oh, well, it's...

It's been incredibly hard for my husband

After his father's death.

Which brings me to my next question.

I know your sister has a past with the family.

- Yeah.

I'm a little bit more acquainted with whitfield's

Than I would like.

So what do you know about my sister?

(sighs) - not much really.

Xander's mentioned her in passing,

But all I gathered was that it really didn't end well.

- Watch out for that family.

- What happened to her?

- That's brianna's story to tell.

- Well, do you think I could speak with her?

Please.

- Look, I'm very protective of my sister,

But she wants to talk to you too.

- Great.

Do you think we could set something up?

- Are you worried about something in particular?

- No, uh... No, not really.

Just call it a reporter's gut feeling, I guess.

I think I should get her side of the story.

- Please.

Do not let my sister get involved with that family again.

No one can know that you're meeting with her

Because she wants nothing to do with them again.

- Of course. You have my word.

(insects chirping)

(ominous music)

- Hey. Where are you?

I have a flight to catch in a couple of hours.

I came to hear your offer, but you're not here.

You've got five minutes.

Oh, there you are.

(knife piercing) (moans)

(groans)

(groans)

(church bells ringing)

- Yeah, yeah, ash, I know.

I know how it used to be. Things are different now.

Yeah, we'll figure it out.

It's not a big...

(mysterious music)

I got to go. Can I call you back?

Marlena.

I wasn't expecting you today.

- We need to talk.

And I thought here was a better place than the house.

- Marlena, I'm really busy today.

- There's something you have to have wondered about.

- Yeah, I don't have time for your riddles.

What are you talking about?

- Nicole.

She's your daughter.

(tense music)

(sighs)

You remember that night.

You were 18

And you were mad at your father for not paying

For your european vacation with your friends.

And I had just recently married lionel

And he was away on a business trip.

- I don't want to talk about this.

- And you had gotten into the liquor cabinet

And you found me out by the pool taking an evening swim.

Oh, you were so handsome. And virile.

- Shut up.

- Just because we never spoke about it afterwards,

Doesn't mean it didn't happen.

- Are you sure nicole is my daughter?

- Hmm.

Lionel was having issues in the bedroom at the time

So we were rarely intimate.

And I had to lie and pretend nicole was a month early

Just to avoid his suspicions.

- Why are you telling me this right now?

- You are aware of my current unfortunate financial situation.

I'm going to need you to help me with that,

Permanently. - You're blackmailing me.

- One person's blackmail is

Another person's business arrangement.

And if you don't,

Then I will have to throw your relationship

With that dear audrey into possible chaos

By telling her and nicole the truth.

- You know what? Fine.

I call your bluff.

Audrey loves me. She'll stand by me.

- Perhaps, but still,

That is a bitter pill to swallow.

I mean, it might just give her enough pause

To think about staying in your marriage.

And what would her family think of this bombshell?

I bet you want to get your hands

On her family's money, don't you?

(marlena chuckles)

Not to mention the emotionally fragile nicole

And her future reputation.

And think about the scandal that it might cause the company

Just as you're revamping things.

(clicks tongue) - shut up!

God, I hate you!

(tense music)

How can you do this to your own daughter?

Don't you know the town is going to turn against you?

You'd be destroyed socially.

- I'll do whatever it takes to survive.

(sighs)

I'll give you 24 hours to think it over.

(chair rattling)

- Hey.

I got your message to meet, what's up?

What's wrong?

You're not having second thoughts

About what we did with the will, are you?

- No, no, no. I... - okay.

- Look... Our family is a lot right now.

I'm worried.

- That audrey is going to get scared off.

- Yeah.

- And there go our chances to get her family to invest.

- I can't help but think...

- What happened with brianna, I know.

- We both know how that went.

And I can tell audrey is starting to dig in.

I can tell.

But it's not just that.

- Okay?

(sighs) - look,

Marlena is threatening to reveal something

That I haven't told you.

- That is?

- Apparently,

I'm nicole's father.

- Xander, how the hell did that happen?

- It's a long story.

But if marlena tells her,

Who knows what audrey is going to do?

- Thank you for agreeing to me on such short notice.

- Yeah, sure.

I mean, I just happened to be in town.

Honestly, I don't really talk that much

About what happened between xander and me.

Does he know?

That you're meeting me here today.

- No, he doesn't actually.

- Well,

My relationship with xander started off wonderful.

A fairytale even, but I don't know,

Then it took a dark turn.

(sighs)

- Can I ask how long you two were together?

- A little over a year.

Yeah, we met here in town.

We were both here visiting our families

And I knew of his family, of course.

But I guess our social scenes never overlapped.

And then, things kind of moved really quickly.

We got an apartment out in los angeles

And got engaged only a few months after dating.

And I had started this new job at a marketing firm.

But then, I met the rest of his family,

Of course.

And...

Let's just say the whitfields were

Aloof towards me right from the start.

- Well...

You know marlena didn't really

Roll out the red carpet for me either.

(suspenseful music)

(phone vibrates)

- Suzan, darling, how wonderful to hear from you.

Yeah, I was just going to reach out to you today

About the charity launching at the hospital.

Wait, what? What are you talking about?

What mass email that was sent out?

- How could you send that video out

Without telling me first?

Your mother is literally going to throttle me.

What were you thinking? - It was simply the perfect time

Once I learned the newspaper article

About her charitable ways was set to run tomorrow.

- None of them seemed to be a fan of mine.

I guess because I came from a working-class family,

They didn't think I was a right fit for xander.

And then, you know, I started to wonder

What happens if we decide to have children.

How would they treat them?

- Of course.

- And then, I had the night from hell.

- What happened?

- So xander and I flew in for a visit

And the second day here

He had to go on some emergency business trip.

So I decided to wait for him at the whitfield estate.

That night, at dinner,

Marlena and lionel were arguing about something.

I can't even remember what. But you wouldn't believe

The hateful words they were saying to each other.

I mean, it scared me.

And then, lionel threw plates at marlena.

- Oh my god. What did you do?

- I thought they were crazy, so I went to my room.

And then later,

Lionel confronted me and threatened me

By saying he can make my life unbearable

If I didn't get in line

With what he expected of xander's wife.

- Gosh.

I couldn't even imagine.

- Yeah, I just knew I had

To get out of there for the night, you know?

And maybe even forever.

But in my rush to get away,

I crashed my car into a tree.

Completely totalled it.

Gave myself a concussion and this scar.

It's something I have to deal with

For the rest of my life.

- I'm so sorry that happened to you.

- You know, to xander's credit,

He said he would make it up to me

And protect me from them.

But...

- But you broke things off anyway.

- Yeah.

It was just all too much, you know?

- Yeah, I know.

- Audrey.

Please be careful. Okay?

There is something really dangerous

Going on with that family.

And inside that house.

(marlena): Sonny, where the hell are you?

- I guess she checked her email.

- Oh, man. This is going to be very bad.

I got to get the hell out of here.

(phone ringing)

(sighs) - hey, hon,

I'm just about to go into a meeting,

Can I call you right back?

- We need to talk, okay, tonight.

It's important.

- Sure. Is something wrong?

- I met brianna today.

(sighs)

- What did she tell you?

- It was unsettling.

- Look,

I'll be available in just a couple of hours.

Just, please, don't jump to conclusions.

- We'll talk about it tonight, okay?

Just try to make it home as soon as you can.

(beep)

- Damn it.

- Where do you think you're going?

- Mrs. Whitfield.

- No. Don't "mrs. Whitefield" me.

Tell me who you're working with.

- I don't know what you're talking about.

- Who had you tape us having sex

And then sent that email to every person that I know?

- I have no idea who you're referring to.

- Tell me who's trying to destroy me.

Was it my dead husband?

Is he haunting me from the grave?

Did he pay you to do all this? - Nothing like that happened.

- I'm going to kill you if you don't tell me.

(grunts angrily)

- Sonny!

Sonny! Stop!

- I need to leave, nicole. - Please.

Please, don't let my mother run you out.

I'm almost at the end of my plan.

Please, sonny, you're the only one

Who's on my side. - You know how much I love you,

But your mother is going to... Oh, what the hell is that?

- I need you to hide this in my mother's room immediately.

Please, sonny, please don't abandon me now.

(eerie music swells)

- Xander. I need to see you.

I just saw something very disturbing.

No, let's not talk here at the house.

I'm coming to you.

(beep)

(tense music)

(phone ringing)

- Hey, hon.

- Are you almost home yet? - Not yet.

I'm trying to get out of here as soon as possible.

Something strange has happened.

I just got off a call with teresa,

She said warren never got to hawaii.

She's really worried.

She has no idea where he could be.

- That's odd.

- Can you ask people at the house

If they've heard from him or anything?

- Sure, of course.

- Okay, and I promise,

I'm going to get home as fast as I can.

I know we've got a lot to discuss.

- Okay. (beep)

- How can we not know where warren is?

Where can he be? - I don't know.

But maybe we should let everyone know just in case...

- Oh my god...

- What?

- From my upstairs window,

I saw warren walking down to the gazebo yesterday.

And I was surprised because I thought

He was in hawaii already, and...

- What is it, nicole?

- Audrey, remember when I told you

I walked in on my mother with someone in the gazebo?

- Yes, and?

- It was warren.

I think they've been having an affair

For quite some time now.

- Yes, yes.

- I'm going to need it tomorrow. - Xander.

- One second.

- Okay, but it's extremely important.

- Okay.

Sorry.

Yeah, so I need you to bring in the reports

Tomorrow morning, okay?

First thing in the morning, we'll deal with it then.

Yes. Thank you.

What's so important?

- Your father's death was no accident.

- What do you mean?

He got drunk and fell down the stairs.

- No, no, he didn't.

And we need to save the person who did it

Before it's too late.

- So who did it?

- Nicole killed mr. Whitfield.

And earlier today, I saw her hand sonny a knife.

Something else dreadful is going to happen,

I just know it.

- Why would nicole want to hurt dad?

That's crazy. - Don't you think I know that?

You are the only person I can trust with this, xander.

- How can you be sure?

- I saw it, nicole.

- I would never do something like that.

- Here's the thing.

Teresa sent me to pick up some files

That she needed from your father.

And just as I was approaching that rear glass sliding door,

I looked in the window and there you were.

Pushing your drunk-ass daddy down those stairs.

- He was going to ruin our plans

By selling the company before he died.

And I just... - I get it.

Lionel was an awful, awful man.

But that doesn't give you the right to murder him.

(sighs)

- What do you want from me?

- We can keep this between us...

For a little extra cash. (scoffs)

I mean you would not want your big brother

To see some murderer everything he looks at you.

- Are you positive you heard correctly?

- Absolutely.

- Then, I got to get home and talk to nicole.

- Nicole is my granddaughter, xander.

I'm marlena's mother.

- Okay, well, I hope you hear something

About warren soon, teresa.

Okay. Hmm-hmm. Talk soon.

(beep)

- Nothing new on teresa's end?

- No. She's definitely panicking also.

How could warren just up and disappear like that?

I don't get it.

- Maybe we should check the gazebo,

Make sure nothing happened to him.

- Yeah.

- And then mary, I mean, marlena,

Made me swear never to reveal who I am or our past.

Living hand-to-mouth through her childhood...

Oh, she was so embarrassed by that.

- Are you sure nicole doesn't know anything

About your relationship?

- I'm sure.

- It's ironic. We have something in common.

- What?

- Nicole's my daughter.

I have to go.

(eerie music swell)

(suspenseful music)

(screaming) - oh my god!

Oh my god, he's dead. He's dead!

(panicked breathing)

- He's cold.

He must have been here a while.

- Oh my god. - We have to call 911.

- The signal is spotty here we have to up by the house.

(suspenseful music)

(ominous music)

- What in the hell are you doing now, sonny?

- Whoa! Marlena!

- She did this. - What?

- Mother.

I overheard her and warren the other night.

She kept saying she was going to make him pay

If he revealed the affair.

My mother killed warren. What do we do?

- Look, we need to get back to the house and get help, okay?

Come on, let's go. - Okay.

- I asked you a question.

What did you put in my cabinet?

(suspenseful music)

Do you know who's behind the whole nightmare?

- Look, okay,

I'll tell you everything. Okay?

Just...

Just please, put the gun down, marlena.

Do I look like an idiot?

I'm not going to put this gun down

Until you tell me every single thing you know.

(sinister tone)

- Around here.

- You're good? - Okay...

Okay! I have service!

We need the police! Someone's been killed.

(panicked breathing)

- Tic-toc, sonny.

Details.

Now! - Can't you see?

I never meant to get mixed up in all of this.

Look, just please, just let me go.

Look, I'll leave the house

And you'll never see me again.

Man, I'm done. I'm done, I'm done,

I'm done with this crazy family.

Just, please, put the gun down, marlena.

(eerie music)

Okay, it was nicole.

(laughs) - nicole?

- Nicole was the one that sent the video out.

Look, I think she's trying to make your life a living hell.

(chuckles) - little bitch.

- And I think she's behind the death of her father too.

The night he died,

She came to me and she seemed...

Happy.

- What did she have you put in the cabinet?

- A bloody knife. (chuckles)

I think she's trying to frame you for something.

Hey, look, we can work this out.

- Oh, yeah, no.

The only thing that's going to happen here

Is that the two of you are going to prison.

(tense music)

- How long do you think before the police get here?

- As far as we are, maybe...

(gunshot) (gasping)

(painful groaning)

(ominous music)

(painful groaning)

(painful groaning)

- Ah...

- Marlena, what happened?

- Why do you have a gun, mother?

- This is all your fault.

I caught sonny in my bedroom trying to plant a knife.

To frame me for some crime you obviously committed, nicole.

(audrey): Marlena,

Why don't you just put the gun down, okay?

- I took the gun out of my nightstand

Just to protect myself,

And he tried to take it from me.

And we struggled and it accidentally went off.

- Where is he? - Don't even think about moving!

What have the two of you been up to?

(tense music)

(moans) - nicole!

- Sonny, are you okay?

- He wants nothing to do with you any more.

He's tired of being your henchman.

(suspenseful music)

- Marlena...

Did you kill warren?

- Kill warren?

Why would I waste my time on that hanger-on?

- Because you had an affair, and you killed him

Because he threatened to expose you!

- Hardly.

Unless...

You killed warren, didn't you?

And you tried to pin it on me.

That's why sonny had the knife.

Why would you kill warren?

- Is that true, nicole? Is your mom right?

Did you have something to do with what happened to warren?

- Don't you get it, audrey? All of this,

Everything I've done has been for xander.

- Okay.

I think everybody just needs to take a breath and calm down.

The police will be here any moment.

- What's going on? What?

What's happening? Marlena, put the gun down.

I know what you did to dad, nicole.

We're going to figure this out.

(painful groaning)

- Dad was a bad, bad man.

- I'm here to protect you.

Just like I always said I would since you were a little girl.

Everything's going to be alright.

I need you to trust me.

- Xander, listen to me. Warren is dead.

Okay? He was killed.

We found his body over by the gazebo.

- What? - No!

I have worked too hard for everything to go wrong now.

I mean, why do you think I had to kill warren?

(ominous music)

Don't you get it?

He saw me push dad down the stairs

And then, he demanded I give him money.

Or else he would tell you I was a murderer.

I couldn't let you think that about me.

- You pushed lionel down the stairs.

- Marlena, enough!

- Oh! - No, stop, stop!

Nicole!

(struggling and shouting) no!

(screams)

- We need to fix this, xander.

I can't go to prison, please!

- Okay, look, look, we will help you, okay?

Just give us the gun. It will be okay.

- No one else needs to get hurt, nicole.

- Audrey, if something happened to you,

Xander would inherit your money,

And you won't have to wait

For her dad to invest in your company.

- Nicole.

(painful groaning)

- Look what you've done.

- No, audrey, no!

(gunshot)

(screaming)

- Xander! - What have I done?

(panting)

- Okay. Just hang on, alright?

Hang on just a little bit more. Help's on the way.

- Xander, I'm so sorry.

I didn't mean to, I swear.

Not my brother. (cries)

- I wish I could give you a better life.

You served us.

Nicole...

You're my daughter.

- What?

How? That doesn't make any sense.

- Marlena and I...

It was a mistake.

- Why didn't you tell me sooner?

- I didn't know.

I'm so sorry.

(sobs)

(sad music)

- Xander?

- Xander?

(cries)

Xander...

(gentle music)

(city rumble)

(bell ringing)

- Thank you so much for coming.

(chuckles) hi!

Alright. Thank you for coming.

(chuckles)

And who do I make it out to?

(ominous music)

Marlena.

What a surprise!

- I saw the announcement of your book signing in the news

And I just had to swing by.

Why don't you make it out to marlena,

One of your inspirations.

- Certainly been a long time.

How are you? - I'm good.

I recently engaged with the ceo of a bank on the west coast.

I always land on my feet.

- You do, don't you?

Congratulations. - Thanks.

- And how's nicole?

- Well, they tell me that she still hasn't accepted

The fact that xander is dead.

But apparently, she's a model prisoner.

And she's even taking up watercolour painting.

They tell me that she paints one picture of me after another.

I'm usually dead in her pictures though, but...

Oh, well. I have a plane to catch.

I'm meeting my fiancée in aruba.

I can't wait to read this.

Take care of yourself, audrey.

(chuckles) - okay.

- Just remember

That nicole could possibly get out in 25 years

With good behaviour.

Just something for us to keep in mind in our old age.

(ominous music)

(high-heels clacking)

(bells ringing)

(suspenseful music)

Subtitling: Difuze