The Young and the Restless Recap, May 21, 2025: Michael shared a big career decision with Lauren

Here's what happened in Genoa City on the Wednesday, May 21, 2025 episode of The Young and the Restless, when three very different couples, Jack and Diane, Michael and Lauren, and Victor and Nikki, found common ground in the world of romance.

What happened on The Young and the Restless

Romantic gestures were in the air in Genoa City for three couples on The Young and the Restless. Jack and Diane were all dressed up in formal wear to go out, but Jack changed the agenda. He toasted his wife with champagne.

Jack praised Diane again for her renovations to the Abbott home. Diane said she wanted Jack to have a home for comfort and celebrations. Jack said that this was a gift to his family, hastening to add it was also Diane's family. "You are an Abbott through and through," Jack said. He added that Ashley and Traci were coming home next week to see the new mansion for themselves. "So soon?" Diane asked. Jack wondered why Diane seemed concerned by the impending return of his sisters.

Diane theorized that Traci would be supportive of her changes to the mansion, but pointed out that Ashley doesn't pull any punches. Jack said it's not Diane's fault that Billy feels like he lost a connection to the house. He countered that the home was always a touchstone for Billy. Diane fretted that she made Billy feel less at home. She knew it would turn out perfectly, looks-wise, but she wanted the house to still look right to Jack and his family. Jack reassured Diane that she had delivered on that. Jack maintained that John was still in their hearts. Jack added that Billy may apologize to her. Diane said that wasn't necessary.

Jack told Diane that she had honored the love the Abbotts had for one another and he was grateful to her. Diane asked her husband for a little favor: She wanted Jack not to influence Traci and Ashley over the house. Jack countered that he couldn't change their minds if he tried. Jack told Diane that she had brought joy to the Abbott house, and thought it represented them both, as it does anyone else in the family. Diane said she'd hold onto Jack's kind sentiments.

Diane told Jack that she was proud of the work that she, Jack, and Kyle had done together. Jack suggested that they take the honeymoon they never had; Diane thought that sounded wonderful. Jack told Diane that he would make it happen for her. "This is for us," Diane said as she and Jack kissed.

Diane said that this trip was Jack's best idea ever. "We are so doing this," Diane stated. But she wondered where they'd go. "Why do we have to choose?" Jack asked. They could go to several places. "I want to give you heaven for the rest of our lives," Jack said. Diane told Jack she loved him.

Meanwhile, Nikki was surprised to find beautiful flowers from Victor at the ranch. He handed her champagne and suggested that they start celebrating Nikki's upcoming birthday together. Nikki and Victor kissed.

Victor confessed he loves nothing more than seeing Nikki's face when she surprises her. Nikki said she knew that Victor would outdo himself with her birthday party. Victor proclaimed it would be the party of the decade. Nikki praised Claire for suggesting a collaboration between the two divisions of Chancellor Industries. Victor praised Claire, too, but said tonight was about Nikki.

Victor praised Nikki for bouncing back from her travails. He toasted "to you." Nikki, in turn, raised her glass and said, "To us." Victor turned on the music and asked her to dance. "There's no place I'd rather be than in your arms," Nikki said.

Victor and Nikki ended their dance and sat down. She recalled the spark she felt when she first fell for Victor. "We were so deeply in love nobody could have ruined what we had," Nikki said. Victor wondered if this was a pitch about Claire and Kyle that Nikki was making. Victor insisted that Kyle was going to break Nikki's heart. Nikki reminded her husband that several people doubted their love. Victor scoffed that Claire and Kyle were a different story. He was happy that they were not moving in together.

Nikki agreed that Claire and Kyle should slow things down. But that's as far as agreeing with Victor on the young lovers goes. Victor said it won't last. Nikki shot back that maybe it would and maybe it wouldn't. She suggested that they change the subject as tonight was supposed to be about her. Victor reached into a side table, pulled out a gift, and handed it to Nikki. He said there would be more, one a day, leading up to Nikki's birthday.

Nikki opened Victor's present. It was a locket that contained the words strength, courage, and beauty." The locket also contained images of Nikki, Victoria, and Claire. Nikki wondered how Victor got all that to fit in the locket. He put the necklace on her. Nikki quipped she'd be dripping in jewelry at this rate. "This is a wonderful beginning to my birthday," Nikki warmly shared.

Nikki asked Victor if he remembered when he introduced her to caviar. She conceded that she initially didn't care for it but said that now, she loved it. Nikki added that she and Victor are more in love than ever. Victor commented that he and Nikki survived it all. He said he loved her.

Nikki recalled Victor coming to the Bayou to watch her dance. Victor remembered his pal, Colonel Austin, inviting him to go there. "I was mesmerized," Victor said. He asked Nikki if he watched him from the stage. "Maybe," she teased. The couple kissed.

Also, Michael and Lauren kicked off a romantic evening at the jazz lounge below the Genoa City Athletic Club. The club was empty except for a piano player. Lauren read a note that said, "Let me remind you how much I love you." She quipped that that was hard to do since Michael wasn't there. Then, Michael approached her from behind. He kissed her and told her he loved her.

"Not so fast," Lauren told Michael, who turned on his considerable charms. They took a seat. Michael had no idea what Lauren was talking about. She brought up the conflict with Victor. She told Michael that dancing and kissing weren't going to get her mind off Victor. Lauren said Michael was amazing at sweeping her off her feet, but he'd have to work hard to get her mind off Victor. Michael didn't seem to think that would be a problem.

Lauren announced she'd be the judge of that. Michael teased that he just might surprise her. Lauren countered that she knew Michael better than anyone. Michael reminded his wife that he sure pulled off a shocker the night he proposed all those years ago on The Young and the Restless. Lauren said that saying yes to Michael was a gamble that has paid off — so far.

Michael reminded Lauren that she had accused him of being unable or unwilling to open up. Michael said Lauren made loving someone possible. He wanted to be open with her. "Except that you're not," countered Lauren. She agreed to humor her husband.

Next, Michael stepped behind the bar and made a drink for Lauren, one with extra olives as she liked. Michael referred to the pianist as "Lester." Lauren and Michael clinked glasses.

Michael pointed out that he bought out the lounge so that he and Lauren could be alone. Then, he made a toast to his terrific wife. "Flattery is only going to get you so far," Lauren said. "Really?" Michael reacted. He said if Lauren knew him so well then she would know he wanted nothing more in the world at that moment than to dance with his wife. He took her out on the floor and lifted her off her feet.

Lauren wondered how Michael was going to surprise her. "I am sorry," Michael said as he took his wife's hand and kissed it. Lauren appreciated Michael's apology. He said that wasn't all he had to say. Michael shared that she was going to tell his wife a story. He asked her if she recalled the first time he went to work for Victor. Lauren recalled that Victor blackmailed Michael into working for him.

Michael cautioned Lauren that what he had to share would make sense. Lauren recalled how she felt when Victor landed Michael in a Peruvian prison. Michael said Lauren has held a mirror up to him many times. He realized now he had been nothing but Victor's pawn. He admitted he owed Victor a great deal, but he owed Lauren more. He didn't want to lose Lauren's trust or gamble with her anymore. He wanted to put her first. Lauren asked if all this meant that Michael was ready to walk away from Victor.

"You've been right all this time," Michael told Lauren. He said it was time to break up with Victor. Lauren gently pointed out that her husband had said things like this before. She asked if he was ready to do it this time. Michael said he was. Lauren hugged Michael. He asked his wife if she was surprised. "Completely," Lauren responded. Lauren was relieved over Michael's news, but she admitted to being terrified over Victor's reaction.

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