The Young and the Restless Recap, August 28, 2025: Victor and Jack spar, Kyle decides to propose to Claire

The Young and the Restless recap for Thursday, August 28, 2025, had Victor and Jack sparring, while Nikki mused over an opportunity for Claire. Also, Kyle came up with an idea to prove to Claire he loved her.

What happened on The Young and the Restless

At the Abbott mansion, Claire revealed to Kyle that she told Nate the truth about Victor, Audra, and Vibrante. She confirmed that Audra was present when it happened. Claire noted that Audra stuck to her lies despite Victor changing his mind about them. She questioned Kyle about his time in France with Audra. Did anything happen that he hadn’t told her yet?

Kyle flashbacked to talking to Diane and Jack, his parents, about not telling Claire about kissing Audra. Diane reminded Kyle that this kind of white lie could come back and bite him. Kyle didn’t want to tell Claire about kissing Audra in France because she’d just lost Cole. Jack urged his son to be transparent.

Back to the present, Kyle admitted there was something. He said he allowed for a kiss as he was setting his trap for Audra. Claire started grilling Kyle about his kisses with Audra. Kyle said he had to go with it for a bit to prove that Audra was trying to seduce him. “You lied to me,” Claire shouted. She noted that Audra said Kyle was lying and that he was right. Claire said she didn’t like that she was finding out about this just now. She wanted to know why Kyle didn’t fess up earlier.

Kyle said he didn’t tell Claire about kissing Audra, and he felt ashamed, which is why he didn’t tell her. Claire said hiding all this made it harder. Kyle said Claire had just lost her father, and his kissing Audra meant nothing. Claire yelled that Audra had been more honest with her, and Kyle hadn’t been.

Claire said Kyle’s secrecy has given a reason not to trust him. Claire said she didn’t know how to handle this mess. “Claire, I love you,” Kyle said. He noted that his love has never wavered. He wanted to eliminate Audra’s threat. Claire said she couldn’t tell him that he hadn’t made things worse. She decided to leave. “I can’t, Kyle,” Claire said. “I can’t make you feel better right now. I have to go.”

Nikki and Victoria took a break from back-to-school shopping for Johnny and Katie by sitting down at Crimson Lights. Nikki noted that losing Cole was still affecting her daughter. Victoria was hesitant to believe that Victor had given up his dislike of Kyle. Vicki lamented that Kyle might never be good enough for Victor.

Nikki noticed that Vicki’s screensaver was a photo of her and Claire. Vicki showed her mother the key that Cole had brought back from a bridge in Serbia. Vicki explained how people in love leave locks on the bridge. “He was an incredible person,” Nikki raved about her late son-in-law. She added that Cole won over Victor, and that Kyle may do the same. Vicki shared that she and Claire believed Cole pulled a string from heaven to get Victor to change his mind.

Nikki noted it was a miracle that Cole, Victoria, and Claire were reunited. Vicki said she focuses on work. Nikki asked about Claire. Vicki said Claire is also focusing on work, but that she’s worried about her daughter. Vicki said Claire throwing herself into work wasn’t the answer to dealing with her dad’s death. Nikki urged Vicki to take her advice and grieve Cole.

Vicki asked Nikki if she had an idea how to help Claire. Nikki revealed that she had a promotion she wanted to give Claire – she wanted Claire to take over the junior position of a certain division. Nikki said she wanted to talk about the specifics of the move with Claire. Vicki was thrilled and said Claire should be there soon!

Jack approached Victor, who was sitting at a table at Society. He quipped that Victor should have a food taster, given the number of people who don’t like him. Victor noted it would take more than arsenic to do him in. Jack recalled Victor trying to break Claire’s heart by going after Kyle. Victor said his issue is with Jack – as always.

Jack recounted to Victor that he knew all about his plan to use Audra to run Kyle out of town, using the contract Kyle signed to give Victor $5 million and leave Genoa City if he hurt Claire. Victor threw Kyle a compliment, but trashed Jack along the way. The mogul didn’t budge an inch.

Jack said if Victor had any guts, he’d have qualms about what he did. Victor said that’s why Jack’s a failure and Victor is not. Jack threatened Victor. The mogul claimed he’s going to leave Kyle alone. Jack said he didn’t trust Victor. He said that’s the pot calling the kettle back. Victor added that Claire believed him, and he didn’t care what Jack thought. Jack suggested that if Victor truly had changed his mind about Kyle, then he’d tear up the contract Victor forced Kyle to sign. Victor said he wouldn’t tear up the contract.

Jack pointed out that Victor hurts his family while the Abbotts support one another. Victor accused Jack of trying to kill Nikki. He stood up and started screaming at Jack. Then, he walked out of Society as Diane was walking in. Outside of Society, Victor texted Cane, asking him if he was ready to move with him against Jabot.

Diane asked Jack to tell her what happened with Victor. Jack shared that he told Victor he knew about his schemes, but that Victor denied and deflected like always. Jack’s amazed at how comfortable Victor was at manipulating people. Diane guessed correctly that Victor passed on tearing up Kyle’s contract. Diane wanted to get Victor to stop his attacks. Jack said he couldn’t get past what Victor tried to do to his and Diane’s son. “Maybe Victor needs a dose of his own medicine?” Jack suggested.

Diane agreed that Victor deserved payback, but many have tried and not succeeded. Jack pointed out that he had never gone after any of Victor’s kids. Diane said they need to worry about Cane. Jack said that Cane was all bark and no bite. Jack pointed out that Victor was the problem, and he was furious that Kyle almost had to leave town. Diane noted that Kyle brought that deal to Victor. She said that Kyle beat Victor, and he gets to be with Claire. Diane urged Jack to take the win. Just then, Kyle entered and apologized for crashing their lunch.

Jack wanted to know what Victor had done this time. Kyle confessed that he was finally honest with Claire and shared that he had kissed Audra in Nice. Kyle added that the whole thing blew up in his face. He didn’t know how to be honest with her. Jack urged his son to give Claire some time. He said he could apologize to her later. Kyle said it would take more than that, and he was prepared to deliver.

Diane said that it sounded like Kyle and Claire had a fight, but she did note that Kyle did kiss Audra. She suggested that Claire just needed time. Kyle said he needed to come up with something to prove to Claire he was committed to her. Kyle said he was going to ask Claire to marry him.

Claire joined Nikki and Victoria at Crimson Lights. She filled them in on Kyle’s confession that he kissed Audra. “When someone lies to me, it’s really triggering,” Claire shared. Nikki pointed out that Kyle loves Claire. She wasn’t sure how to fix this. Nikki said relationships can be messy. She suggested that Claire give herself some time. Nikki left after she told Claire she’d see her soon. Nikki promised Claire she’d be fine very soon.

Claire sat down with Victoria and asked her mother what it was that she should do. Vicki said to do nothing for now. “I trusted him,” Claire said, wondering if it had been a mistake. Claire shared with Vicki that she wasn't sure she could get past Kyle’s lies. She conceded that Kyle was not Jordan. Claire realized she just needed to calm down before making any decisions. She lamented that Kyle wasn’t someone she could depend upon.

Nikki arrived back at the ranch and told Victor she’d done some retail therapy. He wondered if any of the items in her bags were for him. The conversation turned to Kyle and Claire. Nikki asked if Victor had given Kyle a mere test or had he truly believed that Kyle would break Claire’s heart.

Nikki pointed out that Kyle had been wed to Summer, but Victor said that was years ago. Victor conceded that Kyle turned down Audra, and he had also stood up to Victor. He appreciated that. Nikki suggested that Victor didn’t like Kyle because of Jack, and not because of Kyle. Victor said he would always despise Jack. He stated that the war between him and Jack Abbott would never come to an end as long as he was in his orbit.

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