Billy set up a romantic evening at home, and Jack stopped by to inquire whether Traci could stay with Victoria and Billy. Billy wondered why Traci couldn't stay with Jack, but Jack said that the arrangement wasn't working out, and Billy guessed that the issue was Phyllis. Jack explained that the women's animosity toward one another had compounded, and he worried that he could lose Phyllis if Billy didn't take Traci in.
Jack explained that he had convinced Phyllis to move in, but Traci's presence was a problem, and he believed that having Phyllis around kept him clean. Billy warned that it wasn't how recovery worked, but Jack maintained that his life was better with Phyllis in it. Billy said that it wasn't a good time for a houseguest, but Jack declared that Johnny would love having a doting aunt around. Billy revealed that he and Victoria were trying to make a baby, and they needed privacy. Jack pleaded that his love life was at stake, and Billy sympathized, but he put precedence on his own love life.
Billy fretted over the best place to put some flowers, and he disclosed that he'd screwed up the prior night by keeping Victoria waiting for hours. Jack begged Billy to host Traci, but Billy said that he couldn't woo Victoria with Traci watching. Jack lamented that it would take a lot more than flowers and candles to get Phyllis to move back in. Billy remarked that it might take an act of God, and Jack called him a genius.
Phyllis arrived at the Abbott home to pick up her belongings. Traci suspected that Phyllis was leaving because of her, but Phyllis told her to be happy that Phyllis would soon be gone. Traci was afraid that Phyllis' departure would drive Jack back to taking pills, and she questioned whether Phyllis was concerned about Jack's addiction. Phyllis snapped that Traci hadn't been there to help Jack through his recovery, but Phyllis had. Traci contended that Phyllis was the one walking out, and she asked whether Phyllis cared about Jack.
Phyllis pointed out that she was taking a step back to take things more slowly, but she realized that she'd never be able to convince the Abbotts of her sincerity. Traci argued that Jack loved people with his whole heart, and she thought he deserved the same in return from someone who was committed to him. Phyllis mentioned that she and Jack were still together, but Traci chided her for leaving. Phyllis explained that she didn't want to make Jack choose between Phyllis and his family, but Traci accused her of being afraid that he wouldn't choose Phyllis.
Phyllis walked up the stairs to her penthouse, and she asked a maintenance worker why the power was out. The man replied that there was a sinkhole down the street, and the building could be without electricity for weeks. He suggested that she find another place to stay for a while. Phyllis opened her door and prepared to call the Athletic Club, but Jack suddenly appeared. She wondered why he wasn't out of breath from walking up the stairs, but he simply replied that she needed to move back where she belonged -- with him.
Phyllis was suspicious that the building had suddenly become uninhabitable, and she accused Jack of paying off the maintenance staff. He admitted that was how much he wanted her back, and he informed her that he was making other accommodations for Traci, but Phyllis didn't want Traci to leave. Jack insisted that he wanted to share his home with Phyllis, but she didn't want him to have to choose. Jack assured Phyllis that he'd already chosen her. Phyllis told him to get the electricity back on if he wanted to visit her bed.
Jack returned home, and Traci tried to comfort him. He assured her that he loved her, but he needed her to give him a chance to love Phyllis, too. Meanwhile, the lights turned back on at Phyllis' penthouse, and Phyllis smiled as she thought of Jack.
At Adam's penthouse, Victor informed Adam that he'd told Victoria that they were moving forward with their plan to take Newman Enterprises private. Adam confirmed that the funding was in place, and Victor asked why Adam seemed troubled. Adam replied that he had a lot on his mind, including Victoria's attempt to thwart their plans. Victor countered that Victoria had her own suspicions about Adam, and he contended that Adam and Victoria had more in common than they thought.
Adam reiterated that he wanted to run the company with Victor -- as equals, and he questioned whether that was possible. Victor said that he'd be more comfortable if knew the source of the funds Adam had obtained to buy back the shares, but Adam told him to find comfort elsewhere. Victor said that he trusted Adam's judgment, but he felt that Adam had to reciprocate, and Adam pointed out that he already had. Victor requested that Adam sit down with Victoria to discuss how to work things out, because they all wanted the same goal.
At the Athletic Club bar, Victoria told Nikki that she'd hired a private investigator to dig up dirt on Adam, and Nikki thought it sounded like something Victor would do. Victoria asserted that Victor and Adam had no problem using such tactics, and she vowed to do whatever it took to keep Adam from leading Victor down a risky path. Nikki advised Victoria to let Victor handle Adam, while Victoria focused on growing her family. Victoria griped that Victor had a blind spot where Adam was concerned, and she wondered why Nikki was supporting Victor and Adam's partnership.
Nikki wanted to respect Victor's wishes, and she was certain that Victor wouldn't let anyone destroy the company. Nikki was confident that Victoria would never have to compete with Adam for Victor's affection, but Victoria complained that Victor was already pitting them against one another. Nikki contended that Victor wanted their family together, and Victoria conceded that Victor wanted her to be part of the business. Victoria mentioned that Victor had invited her to dinner with him and Adam, and Nikki thought Victoria should accept.
Victoria suspected that Victor had an ulterior motive to keep Victoria pacified in case his relationship with Adam imploded, since Victor wanted the company to be a legacy, and Nick and Abby had made it clear that they weren't interested. Kurt approached the women and asked how Nikki was feeling, and Nikki reported that the new treatment had been working well. Kurt said that Nikki looked great, and he wished them a good night. Victoria teased Nikki that Kurt had been flirting, but Nikki found the idea ridiculous. Nikki declared that she was madly in love with Victor, who suddenly appeared behind her with Adam.
Victor said that he was glad that Victoria had joined them for dinner, but she replied that Billy was waiting for her at home. Victor pointed out that Billy had kept her waiting before, but Adam said that they could reschedule around Victoria's husband and kids. Victoria called Billy to ask him to hold dinner, and Billy cautioned that their baby-making window was about to close, but she reminded him that it wouldn't have been an issue if he'd gotten home on time the night before. He swore that he was trying to make it up to her, and she said that she'd be home soon.
Adam stepped away from the table to take a call, and Nikki told Victor that Victoria wasn't happy playing second fiddle, but Victor insisted that he was making an effort to include Victoria. Victoria returned, and Nikki left to talk to Kurt at the bar. Nikki sympathized that Kurt's colleague had stood him up, and she remarked that at least it hadn't been a date. Kurt revealed that he hadn't dated since his wife had died, and Nikki contended that he couldn't hide forever. He said that he had his practice and hobbies, but she commented that no one should spend their life alone.
Victor recognized that Victoria wanted a position of power in the company, and he suggested that she should take over Beauty of Nature. Adam concurred, saying it was a good idea for her to focus on one arm of the business, so she'd have flexibility to deal with her family life. She groused that she would be on the outside of Newman as a whole, and she accused Victor of trusting Adam more than her. Victor said that he was trying to make everyone happy, but Victoria suspected that he was just hedging his bets.
Victoria berated Victor for offering her Beauty of Nature to placate her, so he'd have backup in case things with Adam didn't work out. She spat that when Adam was done, there might not be a company to run. Adam excused himself to make a call, and Victoria speculated that Adam was already selling off pieces of the company. Victor called her obstinate, but she barked that their conversation was futile, and she stalked off. In the foyer, Victoria overheard Adam on the phone, trying to get information about Chelsea's pregnancy from Chelsea's doctor.
Adam rejoined Victor, who asked why Adam had stepped away. Adam claimed that he'd provided the wire transfer instructions for the funding. Adam inquired whether Victoria had left, and Victor remarked that she had been frustrated. Adam opined that she'd turned down the opportunity out of spite, and Victor countered that she'd listened, but Adam argued that she'd walked out.
Billy was unable to reach Victoria, and he blew out the candles. Billy called Ken to ask if he was still interested in running a game that night. Later, at On the Boulevard, Ken informed Billy that there were serious players in the back room, including an insurance tycoon who was terrible at cards. Billy said that his night was looking up, and Ken asked about the plans Billy had made with Victoria. Billy noted that plans changed, and he asked who was dealing.
Victoria returned home and called Chelsea to request that they meet in person to discuss an important matter.
At Crimson Lights, Fen received a text message with a video of Kyle punching Fen. Fen threw his phone across the room, and Carmine picked it up. Fen grumbled that he was sick of the text messages and FacePlace postings about him making a fool of himself at a prom party. Fen relayed the events from the party, and Carmine regretted that his advice had resulted in Fen getting a busted lip. Fen asked what he should do, because Carmine was the only person he could talk to. Carmine asked about Fen's parents, but Fen lamented that they had problems of their own.
Fen swore that he hadn't hurt Summer, and he revealed that she had set up the whole thing to get Kyle's attention. Fen said that people were treating him as if he were a rapist, but he would never try to force a girl to have sex like Michael had. Carmine was stunned, and Fen revealed that Michael had served time for attempted rape. Carmine said that he had to get back to work, but he told Fen to call him if Fen needed anything. Carmine left, and two teenage boys ominously approached Fen. One of them called Fen a "perv," and he asked if Fen liked to play rough.
Carmine sent a text message to Lauren to tell her that he missed her. Meanwhile, Lauren watched her wedding video at home. Michael looked over her shoulder and commented that they had been very happy. "I never imagined it would end here," he sadly stated.
Lauren recalled the note that Michael had sent to her before their wedding, declaring it to be the happiest day of his life. She had read the sweet words and hadn't been able to wait to walk down the aisle, and she said that Michael had always known what to say to calm her down. Lauren stated that she had been sitting there alone, thinking that she'd ruined the best thing that had ever happened to her, and she had needed to hear his words and see his face. She repeatedly sobbed that she was sorry.
Michael told Lauren that he was fed up with apologies. She cried that she'd never meant to hurt him, but he matter-of-factly stated that she had, and watching their wedding video wouldn't change it. Michael added that it killed him to see how much in love they had been when they'd made promises that they hadn't been able to keep, but Lauren insisted that he'd made her feel loved and cherished from the moment they'd said their vows. He brokenly questioned why she'd turned to Carmine, but she couldn't explain why. Lauren accepted that Michael hated her, but she hated herself even more.
Lauren revealed that Fen had asked if she and Michael were getting a divorce, and she hadn't known how to respond. Michael swore that he could never hate her, but she countered that he couldn't forgive her, either. Michael stared at the frozen video and wished that he could look at her and see the love and hope that he'd felt on their wedding day, but he could only envision Carmine touching her and kissing her. Lauren asked where they went from there, and Michael tearfully replied, "No good place." He slowly walked toward the door, and she sadly turned off the video.
Michael told Lauren that he'd be staying at the same hotel, and she wondered what the next step was for them. He suspected that she already knew, and he suggested that they talk about it in a few days. Lauren believed that Michael had already made up his mind but just didn't want to say it, and she surmised that he wanted a divorce. A badly beaten Fen staggered in, and Michael and Lauren rushed to aid their son.
