The Young and the Restless Recap, August 26, 2025: Cane recalled his final moments with Colin

The Young and the Restless recap for Tuesday, August 26, 2025, uncovered Cane’s secret past, revealed Colin’s final days, and showed Phyllis connecting with a vulnerable Cane.

What happened on The Young and the Restless

Colin (Tristan Rogers) gave Cane some sage advice on his deathbed on The Young and the Restless | Image: CBS

A pensive Cane sat with a bottle of wine and the letter Victor left him. He had a black and white flashback to a bedridden Colin, who was will. Cane read the letter from his mother, Genieve, who urged him not to have any regret in life. Then, Cane read the text from Charlie, asking his dad not to contact him or his twin sister, Mattie.

Cane made a video in which he announced that tomorrow was never guaranteed. He wanted there to be a record of what he had to say. Cane addressed Charlie and Mattie, recalling the day that their Aunt Mackenzie gave birth to them. He said they were so perfect, but so small, and it was months before they could take her home. That was when Lily had cancer, and the babies gave her strength.

Cane acknowledged and respected that his kids didn't want to talk to him. However, he needed to explain to them why he did the things he did, hoping that someday they would want to see it. Cane said the one thing that would never change was how much he loved the twins.

Cane continued to record his testimonial. He recalled never admiring Colin when he was growing up and how his father disappointed him. Cane said he never wanted his kids to have a dad that they didn’t believe in. Cane said a parent’s flaws can become their own.

He noted that his kids have grown up into being these amazing adults. Cane conceded that he’d let his children down. He noted that his kids are stronger and more decent than he ever was. Cane said he changed his name to better himself. He recalled how Charlie loved the book, "The Count of Monte Cristo."

Cane said to keep his personal life and his business life separate, he used the name “Dumas.” He said he built the company Arabesque. Cane said he didn’t think small. He wanted to create something lasting and substantial that he could leave his kids.

He admitted that his motives were selfish. Cane said he wanted to do something right, but it was his ego, insecurities, and guilt that drove him. He knew that his children didn’t ask for any of this. Cane said once he was in too deep, there was nothing to do but move forward.

Cane paced around the cabin as he continued. He added that the success he found was intoxicating. He wanted more, and he wanted to see how far he could go; how much he could build? Cane said that while he was going for it for Charlie and Mattie, he saw now that he had done it for himself, too. He admitted to keeping secrets and telling half-truths.

Cane confessed he used Dumas as an alias in case his plan crashed and burned. He added that the last thing he wanted his kids to see was their father failing. Cane thought he could keep the two parts of his life separate, but being Dumas demanded more of his energy than he thought.

He added that success came like a tsunami. Cane added the lie became his reality. He was convinced that Dumas would make him the man he needed to be – Cane Ashby. “I know it sounds irrational and superstitious,” Cane said.

Phyllis entered, unseen by Cane. She heard him apologize. Cane continued to apologize to Charlie and Mattie. He told Charlie he missed his graduation due to logistical issues. Cane told Mattie he should have stayed after a fire at her campus, but he felt he needed her mother more, so he told himself it was okay to leave. “It was always the same logic,” said Cane.

Cane recalled Colin dying and how that left him on his own. He wondered what the hell it all meant. What did it matter if he’d been hiding from the world? He said he wasn’t blaming Cane and that it was all on him.

Cane claimed that Charlie, Mattie, and Lily are the most important part of his world. Cane said his kids are miracles. “I love you,” Cane added before ending the recording.

Cane heard Phyllis clear her throat. “Who’s there?” he asked. Cane accused Phyllis of eavesdropping. Phyllis claimed she hardly heard anything, and then she asked if he had sent the message. She said he should.

Phyllis said parents screw up and that Cane should give himself a break. She pointed out he was attempting to make amends. Phyllis told him to send the message and not do it in person. Cane pointed out that they won’t see him. Phyllis said that Charlie and Mattie will rip the message to shreds. But she pointed out that the video was filled with love.

Cane said he didn’t raise the kids, but Phyllis said he did when they were little. Cane said his children have every right to judge him. Phyllis poured herself a drink. She said if she doesn’t send the message, it’ll be on Cane.

Cane changed the subject by asking her what she was doing there. Phyllis told Cane she researched AI and added that it was a technology that was moving very fast. She told him he could use an axe to chop firewood, or he could use an axe to be an axe murderer. Cane said he was not a killer.

Cane showed Phyllis the letter that Victor provided. Cane said she owned the chateau before he or Colin did. Cane explained that this was Colin’s last and final scam. Phyllis said she’d love to know what these people looked like.

Phyllis said Colin made the woman happy. She said that Jill loved him, too. Cane said Madame de Leon had no idea who Colin (aka Lord Jeremy Edgerton) was. Phyllis asked how Victor got it and if the letter was real. Cane didn't know. He said he wasn’t sure how Arabesque would be affected if the letter were to be exposed.

Cane said he lost his father while building an empire for his children, and now, that empire may have cost him his children. Phyllis asked Cane to cut himself a break and promised him that Mattie and Charlie would come around.

Cane asked if Phyllis handled her estrangement with her kids. Phyllis advised Cane to get a hobby that did not involve Lily. Phyllis said Lily doesn’t want a reconciliation. Cane asked Phyllis if he had become the worst parts of Colin?

Phyllis said the man she met in Nice had the world in the palm of his hands. She said that Cane’s plan was inspiring, and he needed to put it out there in the world. Phyllis noted that Colin gave a sweet old woman the time of her life.

Phyllis said we all lie. “Is that what I should tell Charlie and Mattie? We’re all liars?” Cane rhetorically asked. She pointed out that sneak attacks happen every day in Genoa City. Phyllis told him that he was a moral person. Phyllis said she found him to be dark and slightly miserable. “We are business soulmates,” Phyllis told Cane.

Cane told Phyllis they were good and that she could leave. He invited her back for dinner. She said she’d think about it. “Don’t spiral,” she advised Cane. They had a lot to do. Phyllis left. Cane pulled out his phone and sent the video to the Ashby family group chat, including Mattie and Charlie.

Cane had a black and white flashback to being with Colin. He tried to read information off his phone to him, but Colin said there wasn’t any more time. Colin said they’d paid a lot of money to doctors to give them time. “I’m tired,” Colin shared. “Too tired.” Cane urged his dad to rest. Colin told his son that “Aristotle Dumas” was a name, not a person, and that he wasn’t the one with a family. He added that Cane was.

“Famous last words,” Colin remarked when Cane said he wouldn’t let things get too bad. Colin urged Cane not to tell Jill how much he loved her, as that would make it harder for her after he was gone.

Colin asked Cane what his plan was and how long it would take. Colin noted Dumas was useful, but now, he stood between him and his family. He asked Cane to promise him that he’d bury Dumas.

Back to the present, Cane threw a glass against the wall in frustration. Next, Cane called Phyllis, who was sitting in Chancellor Park. He told her he had changed his mind. He told her that his plan was dead and he wasn't moving forward.