"In an empty courtroom in downtown Pine Valley, Mateo and Raquel's decision to share custody of Max finally became legal in the eyes of the law. Raquel thanked her attorney, Lynette Neal, for her assistance. Lynette, however, cryptically remarked that judge's decision to grant shared custody had nothing to do with her. Near the exit, Mateo thanked Trevor for helping him. Now that the custody issue was resolved, Mateo wanted to focus his attention on Hayley. Mateo was surprised to learn that Hayley was no longer staying at The Valley Inn. Ms. Neal approached Trevor and asked him for a few moments on his time. While the two attorneys conversed, Mateo walked over to Raquel and asked her if she'd like to join him for some ice cream. In the corridor just outside the courtroom, Lynette again stated her surprised that judge who'd originally presided over the custody hearing had given sole custody to Mateo. Trevor chuckled in agreement and said that he'd found it odd as well especially since Mateo hardly even knew Max when the verdict was handed down. The peculiarity of the decision prompted many of Trevor's colleagues to wonder if he hadn't somehow found favor with the judge. Lynette said that she'd always believed Trevor to be "above board," but she was beginning to wonder if the rumors weren't right. Trevor was hurt that his long-time friend could believe that he'd do something illegal. After some careful thought, Trevor realized that there was someone with enough clout to buy off a judge.
For the first time in many moons, Hayley slept in late. She wandered downstairs and found Janet folding a load of laundry. Hayley sat down on the sofa and helped Janet with the folding. Hayley thanked Janet for letting her stay at the house. Janet assured Hayley that she and Trevor were not inconvenienced in any way. Hayley seemed to be comfortable with her surroundings. Janet mentioned that Trevor would be home after he finished up in court. Hayley suddenly realized that she was late for the custody hearing. She stopped at the foot of the staircase and dropped her head. She turned around and said that she could not keep running to be with Mateo. Janet offered to make Hayley a big breakfast, but when Janet checked her watch she realized that she was running late for an appointment at the Glamorama. Hayley mentioned that she's heard great things about the new salon and it almost appeared that she wanted Janet to invite her to tag along. Janet failed to pick upon that vibe and quickly scurried away. Hayley was again left alone. She plopped down on the sofa in a frump. Fortunately she didn't have much time to be lonely. The doorbell sounded and Hayley slowly dragged herself to the door. Outside, Gillian smiled broadly and asked Hayley if she was up for a visitor. Gillian told Hayley that Ryan had mentioned that she and Mateo had broken up. Hayley crinkled her brow and said that they weren't really broken up---there were "taking a breather." Gillian shook her head slightly and remarked that she had never expected Mateo and Hayley to part ways. When asked for the reason for the breakup, Hayley said that the Max and Raquel factor were just too much for her to handle. Gillian's face suddenly lit up as she realized that she had some good news. "I saw Raquel today and she looked beautiful!" Gillian chirped. A dumbfounded smile emerged on Hayley's face. She failed to see how that was good news. Gillian clarified that the good news wasn't that Raquel looked good---it was that Raquel was once again mobile. She figured that Mateo would no longer need to devote so much time to Raquel and Max any more. As for Raquel's good looks, Gillian said that Raquel "couldn't hold a candelabra" to Hayley. Hayley suddenly burst into laughter. The joy was only temporary. Hayley said that she was trapped in the ultimate paradox: the one thing that she wanted most was the one thing she couldn't have. That, of course, was Mateo. Hayley began to sob, but she quickly wiped the tears from her eyes. She apologized for her outburst. Gillian, though, said that she didn't mind real tears; it was "alligator tears" that bothered her. Again Hayley began to chuckle. She asked Gillian if anyone had told her that she was "priceless when [she is] butchering the English language." Gillian softly replied that Ryan used to tell her that all the time. Hayley flapped her arms in the air to stop Gillian from taking a trip down memory lane. "Don't get on the pity potty," Hayley said with a slight smile. Gillian nodded and stopped reminiscing. She praised Hayley's sense of humor. Somehow, she noted, Hayley could find humor in any situation even when she was feeling down. "To think that I use to think you were..." Gillian was cut of. "Does it rhyme with itch?" Hayley asked. Gillian nodded her head. Both agreed that it was sort of odd that they'd become "best buds." Gillian wondered if Hayley would ever be able to get along with Raquel and Max. Hayley explained that her problems are not---and have never been---Max and Raquel. The problem, according to Hayley, was Mateo and the fact that he'd failed to tell her that he'd been married before. They embraced, but it was clear that Hayley was still hurting. She bid farewell to Gillian and headed upstairs to take a shower.
Mateo and Raquel returned home. Nurse Kelly had taken Max out for a bicycle ride so the former couple had a chance to talk about things. Raquel asked Mateo if he'd heard from Hayley. Mateo shook his head. He blamed himself for the problems he and Hayley were having. Raquel once again muttered that her appearance in Pine Valley was what had set off the wave of problems. Mateo shook his head and said that he blamed himself for everything. He said that he should have been up-front about their relationship from the beginning. Raquel asked Mateo why he hadn't told Hayley about their marriage. Mateo took a deep breath and shrugged slightly. He said that when he first met Hayley her life was in turmoil. When things started to get back in order, he and Hayley were already madly in love. But things weren't rosy for long because Tanner Jordan rolled into town. After that fiasco was put aside, 9.php">Mateo and Hayley were finally married---in a hospital room. Mateo said that he feared he'd lose Hayley by telling her the truth. "Look at what I got," he mumbled. Raquel surmised that it would not be a good idea Max to go to SOS later to watch the fireworks. Mateo thought for a second before saying that if his son wanted fireworks, he'd get fireworks.
Janet arrived at Cortlandt Manor and was formally introduced to Becca. Scott arrived a little while later to film some of the Glamorama's clients' breakup stories. Since Becca had just met Janet, she wasn't yet familiar with her sordid past. She asked Janet if she had any stories for the documentary. "Does she ever!" Opal squawked. She quickly realized that she'd made a faux pas and said nothing more. Opal's reaction stoked Becca's curiosity. Janet sat down on the sofa and proceeded to tell Becca all about her past. Janet admitted that she'd resented her sister, Natalie, because she was "the smart one, the beautiful one." Becca listened in disbelief as Janet recounted how she'd assumed her sister's life and conceived a child with Trevor. Opal quickly interjected that "this lady had paid for her crimes." Scott stopped taping and thanked Janet for agreeing to be part of his documentary. Becca asked Janet where her sister was now. "She-She's dead," Janet said softly. Becca incorrectly assumed that Janet had killed Natalie, but Janet clarified that that was not the case. Sven was ready to give Janet a massage. Opal walked Janet down the hall. Meanwhile, Scott filled in the missing pieces of Janet's story for Becca including the part about Will's murder. Becca looked absolutely crushed that Janet was the person that had taken Will's life. The expression on her face almost hinted that she'd had a crush on Dixie's brother. After Janet's massage session, she and Opal returned the parlor, which ironically was now literally a parlor. The picked up on a vibe that there might be love in the air. "Whaddya say we give cupid a little nudge," Janet grinned. Janet approached Scott and told him that she was sure that the patrons at SOS would have plenty of tales for his film. Opal stepped in and told Becca that she should feel free to tag along with Scott. While Scott was loading his equipment into the car, Opal and Janet gave Becca a quick beauty touchup. When Scott returned, he looked at Becca with a broad smile.
Adam summoned Barry to Chandler Mansion to discuss the possible fallout should he decide to come clean about Colby's paternity. Barry thought that this would be a secret that Adam "would take to the grave." Adam said that he was concerned that he might "predecease" Liza and that after his death Colby might have problems with a genetically inherited disease. In short, he wanted to know the ramifications of a confession. The list of crimes that Adam could be charged with was absolutely staggering: In total, he could face up to thirty years in jail and be fined in excess fifty thousand dollars. The monetary aspect wasn't such a big deal to the multimillionaire. The jail time, however, was a big deal. Adam blasted his attorney for not being able to come up with a way to keep him out of jail. Barry determined that when all was said and done---and taking good behavior into account---Adam wouldn't be a free man for at least fourteen years. Since he hadn't been there for his other three children, Adam was determined not to be separated from Colby for any reason.
In the next few scenes, Adam's discussion with Barry was coupled with scenes from a young fathers support group meeting at Pine Valley Hospital. Jake presided over the meeting and gave the young men tips on what was best for their children. Joe stopped by momentarily and offered his sage advice on bringing up kids. As Adam was telling Barry that he would give Colby anything she wanted, Joe was warning the men against spoiling their children. No, said Adam, was a word Colby would never hear. Joe, however, said that "all kids needs a certain amount of discipline." Joe also spoke of the dangers to lying to children. They would always learn the truth and grow up to resent the parents that had lied to them.
Back at the mansion, Adam was alone in his office when Trevor burst in. He demanded to know how much it had cost Adam to bribe the judge that had presided over Max's first custody hearing. Adam initially denied any involvement, but he implicated himself when he told Trevor that it was none of his business. Trevor accused Adam of trying to separate Mateo and Hayley. Adam was floored when he learned the news that Hayley and Mateo had split. Trevor angrily said that the split was all Adam's fault. He'd tried to "play God" and once the wheels were in motion there was no way to stop them. By losing custody of Max, Trevor said that that had made Raquel even more unbearable and determined to win Max and Mateo. That, in turn, left Hayley teetering on the edge. A noise sounded in the doorway and both men turned and noticed that Hayley was standing just a few feet away."
- Soap Central