The Young and the Restless recap for Friday, May 2 sees breakups, breakdowns, and bold new beginnings defined the day as Summer flies off, Chelsea and Sally commit to life-changing moves, and Mariah crumbles under the weight of her darkest secret.
What Happened On The Young and the Restless?
Billy (Jason Thompson) stopped by the Abbott mansion to check out the renovations. Diane (Susan Walters) eagerly showed him around, but Billy’s face said it all. He said the place no longer felt like home even though it was a nice renovation.
This was his father’s house, a place where he used to feel his presence. Now that connection was gone. Diane insisted Jack (Peter Bergman) believed John would’ve approved, but Billy didn’t care. “Maybe, but I don’t have to,” he said before walking out.
A New Direction
At Society, Chelsea (Melissa Claire Egan) and Sally (Courtney Hope) tried to reassure Summer (Allison Lanier, who is out as Summer) that nothing was set in stone regarding their potential departures from Marchetti. When Summer stepped away to take a call, Chelsea admitted Adam (Mark Grossman) had asked her to come to Newman Media. Sally wasn’t surprised and revealed that Billy had made her a competing offer at Abbott Communications.
Summer returned with more bad news: her mom had been fired. She could understand it — Phyllis (Michelle Stafford) was laser-focused on Daniel’s (Michael Graziadei) grief. Sally confirmed Billy’s offer. Summer questioned whether Sally was honest when claiming fashion was her life. Sally insisted it was. Summer couldn’t help but point out the optics: two women potentially walking away from their careers…for men.
Chelsea and Sally assured her they didn’t want to leave Marchetti in a lurch, and Summer tried to be gracious. She told them the company would thrive without them and that she’d support their choices. They toasted to the Marchetti women, laughing through the looming uncertainty.
Elsewhere, Adam headed to the ranch to tell Victor (Eric Braeden) about the offer he made to Chelsea. Before he could get the words out, Nick (Joshua Morrow) showed up. Victor, thrilled to see his son, was soon caught in a brotherly debate when Adam finally announced the offer. Victor approved. Nick, not so much. He pointed out Chelsea’s passion had always been fashion. Victor expressed his joy at the family getting along, and Nick offered a handshake.
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Secret, Secret
At Crimson Lights, Mariah (Camryn Grimes) waited for Sharon (Sharon Case), avoiding Tessa’s (Cait Fairbanks) calls. When Sharon finally walked in, Mariah rushed into her arms. Out on the patio, Mariah confessed she’d done something terrible on her trip. The return of Ian (Ray Wise) had dug up deep trauma, and when she found herself alone, her old wounds reopened. She got drunk. She spiraled.
Mariah sobbed as she admitted she followed Ian for years, even after what he’d done. The shame was unbearable. She didn’t want Tessa to ever know what happened. Sharon tried to soothe her, reminding her that making a mistake didn’t make her a bad person. But Mariah remained adamant — this secret would stay buried.
Help Me
Phyllis met with Tessa at the jazz club to ask for help about Daniel. Tessa made it clear she wasn’t spying for anyone. Phyllis tried pulling every card, but Tessa wouldn’t budge. She explained that she was helping Daniel the only way she could: by listening. When Phyllis pushed back, Tessa told her Daniel’s heart was broken, and creativity couldn’t thrive in that space. Phyllis got a text and left.
Later, Summer hugged Nick at Society and broke the news that she was heading to Europe to find replacements for both Chelsea and Sally. She hugged Phyllis, who breezed in and claimed she was “doing great.”
Summer went to the Abbott estate to say goodbye to Harrison (Redding Munsell). While Diane and Harrison fetched a lucky Euro coin for her trip, Kyle (Michael Mealor) told her he and Claire (Hayley Erin) were moving in together. Summer asked him to hold off telling Harrison until she returned. He agreed.
Back at the GCAC, Billy met Sally, and she told him she was ready. She wanted to build something together. Meanwhile, Chelsea met Adam at the lounge and officially accepted his offer. They toasted to Newman Media’s next chapter.
