Genoa City is on the brink of an emotional earthquake as a shocking secret threatens to unravel the lives of Mariah Copeland, Cole Howard, and the powerful Newman family. A seemingly innocent work trip to Paris has spiraled into a nightmare for Mariah, leaving her with fragmented memories and a horrifying suspicion that could change everything. Prepare for a story brimming with emotional turmoil, deep denial, and a paternity bombshell that will leave fans breathless.

Mariah’s Nightmare: A Hazy Night in Paris, a Devastating Truth

The glittering streets of Paris once promised escape for Mariah Copeland (Camryn Grimes) and Cole Howard (J. Eddie Peck), who found their paths crossing under intoxicating circumstances. Fuelled by wine and a desire to escape their pressures, Mariah’s memories of that night are a haze of laughter and indulgence. But as the fog lifted, she woke in an unfamiliar bed, beside Cole, with a wave of nausea and a creeping sense of dread. What she initially dismissed as an innocent mistake, a lapse in judgment, held a far more devastating truth.

Upon their return to Genoa City, Mariah’s guilt became a constant, suffocating weight. She couldn’t shake the feeling that she was carrying a secret that would soon consume her. As the days passed, a new sense of unease deepened into an inescapable conviction: something profound and life-altering had happened between her and Cole. In a quiet, unsettling moment, weeks later, a horrifying realization made her blood run cold. There was a growing suspicion that the new, strange sensations in her body were linked to that night – she was pregnant, and the baby might be Cole’s.

The news hit Mariah like a freight train. How could something so serious have happened? How could she have allowed herself to get lost in the fog of that night, especially with Cole, a man she had always viewed with a mixture of admiration and distance? Her heart ached with confusion, betrayal, and a terrifying sense of inevitability.

Cole’s Dangerous Denial: A Sickness Beyond the Physical

Meanwhile, Cole Howard has returned from Paris in far worse shape, battling more than just jet lag. He’s plagued by unexplained chills, a persistent cough, and an unrelenting fever. Yet, despite his worsening condition, Cole stubbornly refuses medical treatment, dismissing Victoria Newman’s (Amelia Heinle) frantic pleas to see a doctor. “It’s just a cold, Victoria. Nothing serious,” he insists, his pride and stubbornness clouding his judgment.

Victoria, ever the protector, is growing increasingly frustrated and convinced that Cole is hiding something beyond his physical symptoms. She sees through his dismissive smiles, realizing his reluctance to seek help stems from a deeper, emotional turmoil. What Victoria doesn’t yet fully grasp is the terrifying weight of his actions with Mariah. Cole’s “sickness” isn’t just physical; it’s a moral and emotional denial, a desperate attempt to avoid facing the truth about that reckless night and the terrifying prospect of unexpected fatherhood.

The idea of being a father, especially under such chaotic circumstances and with Mariah, is terrifying to Cole. He’s afraid of what this truth would mean for his relationship with Victoria, for his future, and for the life growing inside Mariah. So, he continues to hide, hoping to outrun the inevitable.

Victoria’s Fury and Nick’s Quest for Justice

Mariah’s guilt deepens as she realizes Cole’s denial is a calculated avoidance of responsibility. When she finally shares her horrifying suspicion with Victoria, the backlash is immediate and intense. Victoria, usually a pillar of strength, is utterly shaken. “How could he? Why would he take advantage of a young woman like you? You’re barely older than Clare. This is monstrous,” Victoria’s voice trembles with disbelief and disgust. Her instincts, once a source of pride, are now shattered, as she grapples with the image of the man she rooted for being a “liar and a manipulator.”

Though rocked, Victoria’s resolve to protect her family solidifies. “We’ll get a DNA test. We’ll prove it, Mariah. We’ll find out the truth,” she vows, her voice steely. But this isn’t just about paternity; it’s about confronting the darker, “reprehensible” side of Cole Howard.

Meanwhile, Nick Newman (Joshua Morrow), his protective instincts triggered, finds himself in an entirely different place. The moment he hears about Cole’s alleged actions, he’s furious. “Cole had hurt his daughter, and as far as Nick was concerned, that was unforgivable.” Nick, a man of action, doesn’t care about the DNA test or Cole’s health; he only cares that Cole “prayed on Mariah, manipulated her, and caused pain in their family.” Nick has a plan, not just to confront Cole, but to ensure he “would never hurt anyone again.”

With the DNA test looming and Cole continuing to refuse treatment, the stage is set for an explosive confrontation that will test the loyalties and unravel the very foundations of the Newman world. Mariah is no longer a passive player; she’s taking control, but the cost will be steep. The truth is coming out, and there will be no turning back.