Daphne never expected a simple phone call to turn her world upside down, but that’s exactly what happened when Stephie reached out with a request that would pull her back to Los Angeles. The fragrance relaunch, a project Daphne had once poured her heart into, was now in desperate need of her expertise. However, despite the urgency in Stephie’s voice, Daphne’s response was distant, almost cold.

“I can’t come back,” she tells Stephie softly, the pain in her voice barely hidden. “Not while Carter is still there.”

At first, Stephie assumes it’s just a broken heart talking. After all, Daphne and Carter had a history that seemed to be filled with unspoken emotions and complicated moments. But the real reason Daphne is staying away from Los Angeles is far deeper than heartbreak.

It has to do with the secrets she’s carrying—secrets that, when revealed, could tear Carter’s world apart.

The truth is, Carter’s connection to Daphne isn’t as simple as the world believes. After a night of pain and confusion, with Hope pulling away from Carter and leaving him in emotional turmoil, he found solace in Daphne’s arms. What started as a misunderstanding quickly turned into something much more complicated. Emotions blurred, and lines were crossed. The consequences of that night? A secret pregnancy, a ticking time bomb that Daphne is now carrying.

When Stephie continues to press for her return, Daphne reluctantly agrees, but not out of professional loyalty. She has something far more important to deliver—a truth that Carter can no longer ignore.

Upon arriving back in Los Angeles, Daphne doesn’t waste any time. She finds Carter in the design office, looking up at her in surprise, and then panic floods his face as she silently places something in his hand—a pregnancy test, with two clear lines.

“This… this can’t be,” Carter stammers, his voice breaking. Daphne’s reply is firm, even as her hands tremble. “You know it’s yours. That night wasn’t just a mistake for you. It changed everything for me.”

The silence that follows is deafening. Carter’s world begins to crumble as the weight of the revelation sinks in. His future with Hope, everything he’s worked for, is now in jeopardy. He pleads with Daphne to keep quiet, to protect his future. But Daphne is unmoved. “You made your choice, Carter. But I won’t let you pretend that night never happened.”

Carter is left standing in the office, clutching the pregnancy test as if it’s a ticking time bomb. The realization hits him—one word from Daphne, and his future with Hope could be destroyed. His mind races, “How did I let this happen? What have I done?”

Meanwhile, Daphne retreats to the guest suite at Stephy’s, knowing that soon, all eyes will turn toward her. The truth is now out, and the ripple effects will be felt by everyone.

The tension rises as the question lingers: Will Carter come clean before the truth finds its way to Hope? Is Daphne truly ready to raise this child alone, or is she secretly hoping that Carter might still choose her? And if Hope finds out the real reason Carter hesitated during their engagement celebration, will she ever be able to forgive him?

The game has changed, and Daphne’s secret has thrown everything into turmoil. With a new player in the spotlight, the stakes have never been higher. As the emotional fallout unfolds, one thing is certain: nothing in Los Angeles will ever be the same again.