Written by: Dallas Walsh

"Hello mother," Quinn Cunningham purses her lips together as she stands in the country club looking back at Sabine Andrews, who has her mouth open in shock and awe that her daughter is standing in front of her. "It's been a very long time."

Sabine almost can't believe that her daughter is in front of her in flesh and blood. During her marriage to Patrick Cunningham, Sabine got pregnant and her daughter, Quinn was born. Sabine, if she's honest with herself, never wanted to be a mother, but she did love her daughter. Quinn was only 3 years old, however, when Sabine discovered Patrick was having a torrid affair with his secretary and, as a result, she filed for divorce. The divorce was ugly and messy and took 5 years to settle. By that point, an 8-year-old Quinn had been shipped off to boarding school, a fee that Sabine was forced to pay as a result of the divorce settlement. Still, Sabine was left with a good chunk of change from the separation. However, the decision to send Quinn to boarding school at such a young age really left her and her daughter estranged for many years.

"Yes, it certainly has been," Sabine finally responds her Quinn. "What are you doing here?"

Quinn smiles back to her. "Wow, Mom, it's great to see you too."

"Sorry, I am just surprised to see you in Kelsey Lake. Do you want to get a table and catch up?" Sabine asks her quickly.

"Sure, I'd like that," Quinn tells her as they move back to the table where Sabine was previous sitting. After the sit down, the waitress comes over to take their order. Sabine orders a brandy and Quinn order's a sparkling water.

"So, to answer your question," Quinn looks over at her mother. "I'm here because I got a job with Blackmore Ltd. I'm going to be a model for them in a new campaign."

Sabine's eyes open wider in surprise. "Blackmore? Lex and Houston hired you?"

"Yes, they did. Earlier today. You seem surprised?"

Sabine shakes her head back to her daughter. "You're a beautiful woman, I'm not surprised that they want you as a model. I just didn't realize you were interested in modelling. The last I heard, you were interning on a political campaign?"

Quinn takes another sip of her sparkling water. "I was," she tentatively replies. "But, that didn't work out."

"Why not, Quinn? What happened?"

"You and I haven't exactly been close, mother. Why should I tell you anything?"

"Because you're here now," Sabine looks back at her. "And, there's a reason why you're here. Maybe you were meant to be here so I could support you?"

"After all these years, you actually want to support me?"

"Oh sweetheart," Sabine reaches over and grabs her hand. "I never meant to not be there for you while you were growing up. You got caught in the crossfire of a nasty divorce and I really do regret that."

Quinn bites her lower lip and looks down into her drink. "I…I made a mistake in that last job," she admits to her mother. "I might have fallen head over heels for the politician and we made love one night."

"I see," Sabine says back to her. "Did he feel the same way as you?"

Quinn feels her eyes swell with water. "I have no idea," she admits to him. "When we slept together, he was drunk. It likely meant more to me than it did to him."

"I'm sorry Quinn. I know how much that must have hurt you."

"That's just the start of it," Quinn uneasily looks back at her. "I'm…I'm pregnant Mom. He got me pregnant."

Sabine looks back with wide eyes. "I'm going to be a grandmother?" she asks in surprise. "I wasn't expecting that. How are you feeling? Do you need anything?"

"No, I'm feeling good. I hate that I lied to get this job at Blackmore, but I need the job. They asked me if there was anything that could prevent me for honoring a contract for 1 year and I said no. But, they will soon start to see that I'm pregnant."

"I'll talk to them," Sabine replies to her daughter. "I happen to be in Houston's good graces, and Lex is my nephew; he is your cousin."

"I know," Quinn tells her. "I didn't like misleading them about who I am, but I wanted to get the job first."

"Don't worry about that, you're going through so much," Sabine tells her daughter. "Now, I have one final question and I need you to be honest with me."

"Uh, sure?"

"Who is the baby's father? And does he know you're pregnant?"

"He knows," Quinn nods back to him. "And, his name is Deacon. Deacon Cooper," Quinn reveals to her mother, as Sabine feels the blood drain from her face.

***

The following morning, Lexington Rockwell steps off the elevator at Blackmore Ltd. He is excited to start the day as he and his half-brother, Houston Blackmore, are going to start putting together their new campaign with Quinn, who they hired yesterday.

As he slowly starts to move closer to the office door, he can't help but see more water-based footprints that he saw the previous day. He arches his eyebrow in concern as he arrives at the office and moves inside. He gasps when he sees a puddle of water on the main desk.

"What the hell is going on around here?" he asks himself as he picks up a file folder, which is soaked from the water.

He closes his eyes for a moment and is remembers how he was being held hostage on the catamaran by Mateo Santos in Cabo the previous year. Grant Shaw ended up saving him and Mateo was killed after he was shot and fell in the ocean. Seeing the water in the office again, he can't help but think of the ocean and being in Cabo last year.

He opens his eyes again and sighs heavily. "Mateo is dead, I have nothing to worry about it," he whispers to himself. "This has to be some weird coincidence, but I still need to figure out what is going on with this water."

***

Nathan Lockhart steps off the elevator at Rockwell Mining with a huge grin on his face. He knows that is it is going to be a great day and he is looking forward to his day at the company. He starts to whistle as he moves towards the main office door and moves inside, immediately noticing Mac Rockwell behind the desk.

"Oh, MacKenzie, good morning," Nathan smirks over to his half-brother, as he places his briefcase on the sofa before he moves over to the bar and pours himself a morning brandy. "Do you want a brandy?"

"No, it's far too early in the day to be drinking," Mac responds to him quickly. "You're in a good mood this morning. What is going on with you?"

"I'm so glad you asked," Nathan turns to face him as he moves up to the desk. "I had a very important phone call with the board yesterday after a meeting with them last week."

Mac looks back at him in surprise as he had no idea that the board met without. "You met with the board? Why wasn't I invited? I am the CEO of the company!"

Nathan chuckles back to you. "That's where you're wrong, Mackie boy," Nathan replies to him quickly. "The board has agreed with me that you're no longer fit to be the CEO of my father's company. Effective immediately, I am the CEO of Rockwell Mining."

Mac feels his blood boil at the words that are coming out of Nathan's mouth. He can't believe that Nathan went behind his back to have him removed as the CEO.

"There's no way in hell that the board would vote me out," Mac grits his teeth back to him. "This is another one of your sick and disgusting lies!"

"I knew you'd say that," Nathan sets his glass of brandy down on the desk and moves over to his briefcase. "That's why I brought proof, Mac."

"You have no experience with this company," Mac tells him. "You will drive this company to the ground, Nathan."

Nathan pulls out a report from the board and passes it to Mac. "As you can see, dearest brother, the board has the confidence in me that you clearly do not. But, I will be nice to you and give you a day to pack your belongings and get out of my office."

Mac feels the blood drain from his face as he reads the report that the board has in fact voted him out and replaced him with Nathan.

"You won't get away with this," Mac throws the file back to Nathan, who sees the papers fly in the air. "I will get my company back, even if it's the last thing I do."

Nathan chuckles back to him. "I already have gotten away with this Mackie, you just have to accept that."

"I will never accept this!" Mac yells back to him. "Do you hear me? I will never fucking accept this!"

***

A short time later, Mac opens the front door to the Rockwell mansion and slams it once he is inside. He makes a beeline for the living room, where he immediately moves to the bar to pour himself a scotch.

"Mac, it's early for you to be having a scotch," Lucinda Rockwell tells her son as she slowly stands up from the sofa in the living room. "And, you're home early from the office. Has something happened?"

Mac takes a healthy sip of his scotch before he turns to his mother. "Your son just kicked me out of my own company."

Lucinda's mouth opens in shock. "What are you talking about?"

"Nathan," Mac grits his teeth back to her. "He went to the board and claimed that I am a fraud because I am not a true Rockwell. They backed him and voted me out as a CEO."

"My God," Lucinda whispers back to him. "I can't believe he would do this! Doesn't he realize that you have ran that company for years?"

"He doesn't care," Mac spits back to her. "He wants to prove that he is the true Rockwell! So, help me God, he will pay for this mother! I will not allow Nathan to take over my life!"

***

Sabine quickly moves up to one of the doors on the second level of the country club and starts to knock quickly. Within a few moments, the door opens, and Deacon Cooper appears.

"Sabine, this is a surprise," he says as she moves past him and into his suite. "What brings you by this morning?"

"You didn't think I would find out, did you?" she turns to him as she puts her hand on her hip.

Deacon arches his eyebrow back to her. "Find out? I don't know what you're talking about? Find out about what?"

Sabine nervously laughs back to him. "You and my daughter…"

"Your daughter?"

"Quinn Cunningham," Sabine tells him as she glares at him. "Are you actually going to stand there and tell me that you had no idea that Quinn was my daughter?"

Deacon's mouth falls open in surprise. "Quinn? My intern? She's your… I had no idea! Sabine, please you have to believe me!"

"All I know, Deacon, is that you slept with my daughter and now she is pregnant!"

"I know about the baby," Deacon replies to her quickly. "It's just…"

"What? You don't want a child because of your career? You damn well should have thought of that before you took Quinn to bed!" Sabine hisses back to him. "I just can't believe that you, of all people, got my baby girl pregnant!"

"Did I though?" Deacon asks her immediately. "I know you don't want to believe this, but I was only with Quinn once. She's a beautiful woman, I am sure that I wasn't the only gentlemen caller."

"Are you calling my daughter a slut?" Sabine shrieks back to him. "You're not the man that I thought you were, Deacon."

"I'm not saying that at all," Deacon shakes his head back to her. "I'm saying, it is possible that I'm not the father of Quinn's baby. I think we owe it to find out the truth, don't you?"

Sabine sighs back to him. "I'm choosing to believe my daughter, Deacon. If Quinn says that you are the father, then I believe that you are. She has no purpose to lie. So, as my friend and someone that I thought I could trust, I need you step up and be there for her. You owe her that much."

***

"Okay, I happen to agree with you," Houston Blackmore stands in the main office of Blackmore Ltd as he looks back at Lex, who just finished telling him that when he arrived, he had found more water in the office when he arrived. "Something is very odd going on here."

"Who is coming into the office and putting water everywhere? And why?" Lex asks him back as Houston shrugs his shoulders. "I know you don't know, but I have to admit, my mind earlier went back to being kidnapped by Mateo Santos last year."

"But Mateo is dead, right?" Houston looks back at him in concern. "There's no way that Mateo is behind this."

"No, I agree," Lex nods back to him. "But Carmen, his sister, is still in town and she's sleeping with Slate."

"So, you think that Carmen could be behind this?"

Lex shrugs back to him. "I mean, it would make sense, wouldn't it? She has had a vendetta against my family since her divorce from Mac was finalized."

"So, what are you going to do about it?'

"I guess that's the question," Lex says back to his half-brother. "What the hell am I going to do about this?"

Outside the office door, Quinn stands listening to the two men discuss the water situation. She arches her eyebrow as she opens her purse and pulls out her phone, which she heard vibrate. She looks at the screen and sees an incoming text message.

"Don't forget about the plan," the message says.

Quinn sighs to herself as she throws her phone back into her bag. "How could I forget the plan?" she whispers to herself. "You remind me at every turn."

***

Nathan moves into the country club looking to have a bottle of champagne as he thought his meeting with Mac earlier at Rockwell Mining went very well. He loves that he has taken over the company; finally, he is getting everything that he believes he deserves since he is the true Rockwell.

"I'll have a bottle of 2004 Moet," Nathan smiles to the waitress after he has seated at the table.

He is about to unlock his phone when he notices a woman sitting by herself at the bar. He looks at her for a moment and wonders where he knows her face from. He tapes his phone on the table until it dawns on him. He finds himself standing up and quickly moving over to the bar.

"You're Celeste Baldwin, aren't you?" he asks as he arrives at the bar.

Celeste sets her champagne cocktail down on the and looks back at Nathan, immediately realizing who he is. She recalls him being at the Rockwell mansion the day Carmen exposed her and Houston's baby switch scheme. Everything happened so quickly but Celeste recalls hearing that Nathan was Mac's brother, but beyond that she doesn't know much about Nathan.

"Yes, I am," Celeste extends her hand out to Nathan. "And you're Mac's brother? Levy?"

Nathan uneasily chuckles back to her. "I go by Nathan," he tells her. "I left Levy many years ago."

"We all need fresh starts sometimes," Celeste nods back to him. "That's what I am looking for now, actually."

"I see," Nathan looks back at her. "I heard that you were in jail?"

"I was released early on good behavior," Celeste informs him quickly. "I really questioned whether or not I should come back to Kelsey Lake, but you see, my children are here, and I have missed them so."

"Children have a way of out weighting everything else," Nathan says back to her. "And, I know that you have a long history with Mac, but I think I have a way that will help you with your fresh start."

Celeste looks back at him in surprise. "Really? And what would that be?"

"Well," Nathan begins to tell her. "I took over at the CEO of Rockwell Mining earlier today."

"What?" Celeste gasps back to him. "How did that happen? Mac has worked there his entire life!"

"How it happened is irrelevant right now," Nathan quickly replies to her. "The point is, if you want a fresh start, I could find a position for you at Rockwell Mining."

"You're offering me a job? At Rockwell Mining?"

Nathan smirks as he nods back to her. "Why don't you take my card," Nathan tells her as he opens his blazer and pulls out one of his business cards. "Think over my offer and let me know, okay?"

Celeste uneasily takes the card and looks at it before she looks back at Nathan. "Why are you offering me this job, Nathan?"

"Because," Nathan looks back at her. "What I see in front of me is a beautiful woman who is looking for a fresh start, and I happen to be in a good mood right now and want to help. The rest is completely up to you, Ms. Baldwin. I'll leave you to think over my offer, but don't keep me waiting too long."

***

"I have a million things to do at Blackmore today," Lex announces to Mac, Lydia, Lucinda, Cole and Stacey as he moves into the living room of the Rockwell mansion. "Does anyone know why Marat called this meeting today?"

Stacey slowly stands up from the sofa and looks at her younger brother. "I wish I knew, but I was as surprised as everyone to get the invite," she tells him.

"It must be important," Mac looks at his family. "It's not like Marat to call everyone together like this."

Before any of the Rockwell's can continue, Marat Kafelinkov moves into the living room. "Oh, good, I'm glad you're all here," Marat announces to the Rockwell's.

"Yes, we are here," Lucinda looks back at him. "What is this all about, Marat?"

"You have all of our attentions," Lydia echoes Lucinda's words back to him.

"I received a phone call a few days ago," Marat reveals to everyone. "It was from the state prison."

"Is it about Celeste? Is she okay?" Cole asks him in concern, as he thinks about his former fiancé.

"She's fine," Marat nods back to him. "She's getting released from jail early."

"What?" Stacey gasps back to him. "She stole my baby! How the hell is she getting out of jail early?"

"I'd have to agree with Stacey," Mac shakes his head back to him. "How is this happening? She lied to everyone, including me, about Poppy being dead when in fact we were raising her as our daughter, Charlotte."

"The only told me that she is getting released on good behavior," Marat informs everyone. "They only called me because I am the father of her children."

"Do you think she will come back to Kelsey Lake?" Lydia asks him. "She has created so many problems here, maybe she won't even come back here?"

"I wish I knew the answer to that," Marat sighs. "She might not return to town but her children are here and the one thing about Celeste is that she loves her children."

"Well, she better damn well stay away from me and Poppy," Stacey hisses. "Because if she tries anything with my daughter, so help me God, I won't be responsible for my actions."

***

"I can't believe that this is actually happening," Carmen Santos squeals in delight as she and Slate Lockhart lay side by side in her bed that is in her suite at the country club. "Your Dad really took over as CEO of Rockwell today?"

"He certainly did," Slate grins back to her. "He met with the board in secret a couple of days ago and they finally agreed with him that he should be the CEO because Mac isn't a Rockwell."

"You weren't lying when you said that you and your Dad were going to get everything you wanted."

"This is only the beginning," Slate looks into her eyes. "The next step will be to remove Mac from every aspect of the Rockwell mansion. He won't know what hit him when we are done with him."

Carmen beams back to him. "This is so fitting," she says as she runs her finger down his toned chest. "Mac is finally going to get what he deserves."

"And, my Dad and I are going to rightfully take over at the heads of the Rockwell's," Slate nods to her. "This is a very exciting time for us."

Carmen leans in and kisses him passionately. "I want you," she whispers as their lips part. "Make love to me."

Slate pegs her down on the bed and crawls on top of her. "I thought you'd never ask."

***

Sabine walks into the living room of the Rockwell mansion and immediately freezes when she sees the entire family sitting around discussing Celeste's release from jail.

"Sorry, did I interrupt a family meeting?" Sabine asks the family as she moves to the bar to get herself a drink. "I can leave if I did."

"No, it is fine," Lydia looks back at her sister. "We just found out that Celeste Baldwin is getting out of jail early. As you can imagine, we have some concerns."

"I see," Sabine takes a sip of her brandy before she looks back at everyone. "Well, if I can help with anything, you know I'm here. But, I am glad that everyone is here. I have some news of my own."

"Please tell me that your fiancé has realized what a douche bag he is and he's going back to New York?" Mac spits back to her quickly.

"Very funny," Sabine winks back to him. "No, this is about my daughter, Quinn."

"Quinn?" Cole asks his Aunt quickly. "I haven't heard from her in years."

"I know," Sabine tells him. "So, imagine my surprise when I ran into her earlier today."

"She's in Kelsey Lake?" Lydia asks her in surprise. "I didn't see that coming."

"Neither did I," Sabine says. "But she's here, so I hope that we, as a family, can welcome her back into our everyday lives."

***

A short time later, Lucinda is alone in the study of the Rockwell mansion. Her mind is racing about everything that has happened today; from Celeste getting released to jail, to Quinn being in Kelsey Lake and lastly, Mac's admission that Nathan removed him as CEO of Rockwell Mining.

She can't believe that Nathan went to the board to have Mac removed as the CEO. She knows that Mortimer personally groomed Mac to take over the family company. The fact that Nathan has removed him has left Mac devastated, and Lucinda hates that her sons are continuing to feud.

She pours herself a brandy before she turns around and sees Nathan moving into the study.

"Nathan, I hear congratulations is in order," she says as she takes a sip of her brandy.

"Let me guess," Nathan replies to her quickly. "Mac came home crying to Mommy about his job loss today?"

"Why are you being so damn cruel?" Lucinda asks him quickly. "Mac has given his entire life to Rockwell, he knows that company inside and out. Why are you so determined to remove him from every aspect of his life?"

"Because," Nathan glares back at his mother. "He's not even a Rockwell, mother! He's an Ashby! You know damn well that if father knew about this, Mac never would have been CEO of the company!"

"But he has been CEO for years," Lucinda reminds him. "You've been home, what, two seconds, and you want all of these changes?"

"Mac leaving the company is only the start," he looks back at his mother. "I'm going to take over as the head of the house tomorrow."

"What?" Lucinda gasps back to him.

"I've met with the staff and they know that I am the true Rockwell and I will be the head of this house," Nathan informs her. "Mac's days as pretending to be a Rockwell are officially over."

"I'm begging you Nathan," Lucinda moves up to him. "Please, don't do this. It is enough of that you have the company. Don't take the house away from Mac too. If you take everything away from Mac, he will be gutted. You are going to ruin him!"

"Exactly," Nathan smirks back to her, as Lucinda looks back at him in horror.

***

The following morning, Mac moves into the living room seeking a cup of coffee. He stops in his tracks, however, when he sees Nathan standing in the living room and behind him are the entire staff of the Rockwell mansion.

"What the hell is this?" Mac asks as he puts his hand on his hip. "The staff, why are they here? Who is preparing breakfast?"

"I called a quick house hold meeting," Nathan looks back at his half-brother. "You see, Mac, most of these people have worked here for years. Father hand selected many of them."

"You don't have to remind of me that," Mac hisses back to his brother. "They have been my employees for years."

"That ends today," Nathan firmly replies to him. "Since I am the true Rockwell of the house, I am officially taking over as the head of the household."

"Excuse me?"

"You heard me," Nathan looks back at him. "The reason I held this staff meeting was to get their inputs. They all agree that Mortimer would want his son, his biological son, as the head of this house. So, Mac, you're no longer the chief of command in this mansion."

Mac feels the blood drain from his face. It was one thing for Nathan to kick him out of Rockwell Mining, but now he is kicking him out of his own house?

"You're a ruthless son of a bitch," Mac grits his teeth back to his half-brother. "I have been an excellent employer to these people. Just like the company, I know this house better than you ever will! You removing me, makes no sense."

"It's not up to you," Nathan tells him. "I am the true Rockwell and this is what we are doing."

Mac sighs and shakes his head back to Nathan. "Fine," he replies. "But if you think I'm going to live here and watch you destroy this family, you are dead wrong."

"If you want to move out, I will not stop you."

Mac groans as he rolls his eyes to him. He quickly moves to the exit but looks back at his brother. "I will make you pay for this, brother. Mark my words, you will not get away with this."

***

A short time later, Mac is in his bedroom throwing his clothing into a suitcase. His blood is blooding as he has no idea how he is going to stop Nathan from continuing to ruin his entire life. The fact that he has now been kicked out of both his company and his house makes him furious. He has to come up with a plan, but he has to do something because he refuses to allow Nathan destroy everything he has worked for.

"If that son of a bitch thinks he can get away with this, he has another thing coming," Mac says as he throws some of his shirts into his suitcase.

As he moves back to his closet, he notices Sabine walking by the bedroom door in the hallway. She stops and looks back at Mac.

"Mac, what are you doing? Do you have a trip planned?" she asks as she moves into the bedroom.

"I wish that was the case," he huffs back to her. "Your fiancé has taken over as the head of the house. He informed me this morning."

Sabine shakes her head in surprise. "Mac…I don't know what to say. I am sorry that Nathan is taking it this far."

"You already know what I'm going to say back to you, don't you, Sabine?" Mac looks back at her. "You can't marry that monster. He will ruin you the way he has ruined me, Sabine."

"Would it help if I talked to Nathan?" Sabine asks him quickly.

"You can do what you want," Mac looks back at her. "Just promise me that you won't marry that man. He isn't who you think he is, he continues to prove that each and every day, Sabine."

***

After leaving Mac's room, Sabine finds herself moving to the room that she shares with Nathan at the Rockwell Mansion. She moves inside and up to the dresser that is in the room. On top of the dresser, she sees a picture frame of a photo of her and Nathan that was taken when they were still in New York. She looks at the picture and finds herself caressing Nathan's face with her long nail.

"Oh Nathan," she whispers to herself. "Why are you being so hard with Mac? Why can't this feud just end?"

Behind her, Nathan emerges as he came upstairs to freshen up after his interaction with Mac. He sees Sabine standing there and notices that she has their picture in her hand.

"Do you remember that day?" he asks her as he comes up behind her. "We went to the Statue of Liberty before we went to the Rainbow Room for dinner."

"I remember it very well," Sabine turns and looks at him. "It was the day that I knew I was in love with you, Nathan."

Nathan leans forward and kisses her on her lips. "I love you too, Sabine."

"I need you to do me a favor, Nathan," Sabine looks into his eyes. "I need you to ease up on Mac, okay? He is really struggling right now and I just think we could be easier on him. He isn't to blame for everything that happened in the past between Mortimer and Lucinda."

"You care for him, don't you?"

"Mac?" Sabine asks him back quickly. "He has been in my life for a very long time, Nathan. He does mean a lot to me. I just…I hate this fighting that is happening in the family right now."

"I know you do, but you know what? It is over now," Nathan looks at her. "I have the company and now, I am the head of this mansion. So, yes, I can ease up on Mac because there's nothing left for me to take from him."

"Nathan…"

"We will be okay now," he looks into her eyes. "How about you and I start planning our wedding? Starting with a fabulous engagement party?"

"You mean that? You want to have an engagement party?" Sabine asks him as her eyes grow wider in surprise.

"A night to celebrate the fact that I am marrying the most beautiful woman in the world? I would like nothing more," Nathan smiles back to her.

"That sounds lovely," she replies to him quickly. "Really lovely."

***

Carmen sits at the bar at the country club with a glass of champagne in front of her. She wanted to celebrate the fact that Nathan has taken over Rockwell Mining from Mac; she still can't believe that Nathan was able to do that so quickly and efficiently.

The fact of the matter is, however, she is currently sleeping with the son of the CEO of Rockwell Mining. After everything the Rockwell's have done to her, she is thrilled to be on the side of the winning team right now.

She looks at her phone and opens her photo album. She looks at a picture of her and her brother, Mateo, and sighs at the sight of it.

"Oh Mateo," she looks at the screen. "Nathan has taken over at Rockwell. I am sleeping with Nathan's son, Slate. So, I am have people who are on my side in wanting to get revenge on the Rockwell's. I will make sure that Lex is drawn into the plan of revenge. I will make that bastard pay for killing you."

She takes a sip of her champagne and looks at her brother again. "It's high time that they pay for what they did to us, no questions asked."

Before she can say anything else, she gets a text message come in from a number that she doesn't recognize.

She opens the message and reads it to herself, "Meet me at the marina in one hour, you won't want to miss this."

She arches her eyebrow and quickly responds. "Who is this?"

Three bubbles appear on the bottom of the screen before the new message arrives on Carmen's screen. "Come to the marina and find out. It will be worth your while, I promise."

***

"Why wasn't Dad at breakfast this morning?" Cole asks Stacey and Lex as they move into the living room of the Rockwell mansion as they just finished eating their first meal of the day. To their surprise, Mac didn't join them for breakfast, which is unusual for him because even if he has an early meeting, he stops in and says good morning. And, Cole knows that Mac didn't have an early meeting because he was removed from CEO as Rockwell Mining.

"Good question," Stacey says as she moves to the bar to pour herself another cup of coffee. "I don't think I've seen him all morning."

"Maybe he had an early meeting somewhere?" Lex shrugs his shoulders. "You know very well he's not going to take leaving Rockwell lightly. Maybe he wanted to meet with the board?"

"Good call," Cole replies to his brother. "Maybe he was meeting with some lawyers?"

Nathan appears in the doorway of the living room and chuckles at the conversation he hears. The three Rockwell siblings turn and see him standing there.

"What is so funny?" Lex asks him quickly, annoyed with Nathan's cackling.

"The three of you," Nathan replies to him. "Wondering where your father is. I can tell you right now that he is not in the mansion. He moved out."

"What?" Stacey gasps in surprise. "Why would he do that? He loves this house."

"Because," Nathan's eyes sparkle with delight. "I took over at the head of the house this morning. I am the true Rockwell, so I am running things now. Mackie boy, he didn't like that, so he left."

Cole, Stacey and Lex look at one another in surprise. "Well, you and your son can have this house," Cole tells his uncle. "Because if our father isn't living here, neither are the three of us."

Nathan chuckles again as they walk out of the living room. "More room for me and my family," he smirks as he moves to the bar to pour himself a celebratory drink.

***

Cole bangs on the door of the one of the suites at the country club until Mac finally opens the door and sees his son. Cole looks at his father and immediately can tell that he's not doing very well.

"Dad," Cole says as he moves into the suite. "I came as soon as I heard that you left the mansion. I can't believe how far Nathan is taking this bullshit."

"First my company and now my home," Mac sighs back to Cole. "I don't think he will stop until I don't even have clothes on my back."

"We won't let him get away with this. There has to be a way to stop him."

Mac shrugs his shoulders. "I am not sure what we can do," he tells his son feeling defeated. "He can't go back and change my paternity. He will always be the true Rockwell."

"The bloodline might have changed but nothing can erase the years that you spent with Rockwell Mining," Cole reminds his father. "The fact of the matter is, you know that company inside and out. He has no idea what is going on in that company the way you do."

Mac nods back to him. "You know my biggest fear?" Mac asks him. "Is that before I can regain control, Nathan will have ruined Rockwell Mining forever for that reason: he has no idea what Rockwell Mining is or how it operates."

Cole arches his eyebrow back to him. "I'm still working there, Dad. What if I keep a watchful eye on him while you figure out how to regain control?"

"You'd do that for me?"

"Of course I would," Cole tells Mac. "I would do anything to help you, Dad. I love you, I am in your corner."

Mac pulls his son into a hug and holds him tightly. "I love you too. You keep me posted on any on-goings at Rockwell Mining while we try to figure this out."

"You can count on me."

***

Stacey opens the door to the country club and quickly moves inside as she needs a drink after she moved out of the Rockwell Mansion because Nathan took over as the head of the house hold. She can't believe that her uncle is literally stripping Mac from everything that he has ever owned.

She looks over into the dining room and spies Kent and Lydia together. She turns to leave because the last thing that she wants is to be around Kent right now; it is bad enough that she still has lingering feelings for her future step father, but seeing him with Lydia, since they just got engaged, would be too much for her to bare.

"Stacey, darling," Lydia ruins Stacey's plan to bolt by waving her down. "Come join us?"

Stacey forces a smile on her face and turns around to move to the table. As she does, however, she turns to look at the bar and freezes in her tracks.

"Stacey? What is it?" Kent asks her, as he notices her freeze.

Stacey holds up one finger to them before she makes a beeline for the bar. Once she's there, she puts her hand on her hip.

"What the hell are you doing here?" Stacey glares at Celeste, who is sitting at the bar. "You have a hell of a lot of nerve showing your face in this town again."

Before Celeste can reply, Kent and Lydia appear behind Stacey.

"Celeste Baldwin," Kent shakes his head. "You decided you hadn't created enough chaos in this town?"

Celeste takes a sip of her champagne cocktail before she looks back at the three people in front of her.

"Hello Lydia, Kent, Stacey," she purses her lips together. "I can imagine that seeing me out of jail comes as a surprise."

"What the hell are you doing in Kelsey Lake?" Lydia asks her quickly.

"My children are here," Celeste immediately responds to them. "Where else would I go? Surely, all of you being parents, can appreciate that?"

"I'm going to give you one warning and only one," Stacey glares back at her ."You stay the hell away from me and my daughter, Poppy. If you come anywhere close to her, you will face my wrath, and that is not something that you want."

"And, I am in Stacey's corner completely," Kent looks at her, while Lydia gulps. "And, I am a very powerful man, Celeste."

"You have nothing to worry about," Celeste tells them. "This is my fresh start, I'm not going to do anything to screw it up. In fact, I already have a new job lined up. I'm going to make amends, I'll prove that."

"Whatever," Kent spits back to her. "Just stay away from Poppy, or else."

***

A short time later, Celeste is finishing her lunch when she feels someone else approach her. She sets her fork down and sighs, hoping that it is not another member of the Rockwell family there to read her the riot act.

She turns and sees Marat standing behind her. "Marat, hi," Celeste stands up and hugs her former lover.

"It is good to see you, Celeste," Marat says as he holds her. "The children will be so excited to have their mother back."

"I can't wait to see them," she replies to him as they sit next to one another at the bar of the country club. "They must have gotten so big while I was away."

"You have no idea," Marat smirks back to her. "By the way, just so you know," he tells her. "I told the Rockwell family that you were getting out of jail. So, if they see you, they may approach you."

Celeste chuckles back to him. "Ironically, I just had a run in with Stacey, Lydia and Kent," she informs him. "They warned me to stay away from them and more importantly Poppy."

"How'd that make you feel?"

"Fine," Celeste replies to him. "While I was in jail, I was able to deal with my grief of losing my child with Mac and the entire Poppy situation. It was hard, but being alone for so long was a good thing."

"That's good to hear," Marat nods back to her. "This could be your fresh start that you need."

"That's what I want," Celeste admits to him. "I want this to be my fresh start. And, I've already started on that journey."

"You have? How so?"

"I got a new job," Celeste reveals to him. "At Rockwell Mining."

Marat's mouth opens in shock. "What?"

"Yes," Celeste nods back to him. "Mac's brother, Nathan, took over as CEO, and I met him earlier. He offered me a job, and I would be a fool to refuse it."

"I'm going to give you a warning," Marat looks back at her. "Be careful with Nathan, okay? He's not the kind of guy that you want to cross."

Celeste uneasily nods back to him. "I'll keep that in mind, thanks Marat. Now, can I go and see my kids?"

***

Mac is shirtless and only wearing grey sweatpants as he listens to a 80's rock band play list. Currently, Bon Jovi's "You Give Love a Bad Name" is playing on his Apple Music.

Mac moves to the dresser and picks up the bottle of scotch. He takes a huge swig of it while he dances to the song.

After a long couple of weeks, Mac has finally decided to let loose and get drunk to try to help himself get over everything that has happened since Nathan has been back in town.

He stops dancing when he hears a soft knock on his door. He turns the music off for a moment while he moves up to the door. He opens the door and sees a young man standing outside.

"I got what you asked for," the man says as he pulls out a small plastic bag. "But it's $300.00, I only take cash."

"Stay here," Mac says as he semi closes the door and grabs his wallet. He pulls out cash and then hands it to the man. "There, $300 in cash. Can I have that bag now?"

"Enjoy man," the dealer tells Mac as he passes him the bag before he rushes off.

Mac takes the bag and quickly closes the door. He looks at the white powder in the bag and gets a grin on his face.

"It's time to forget this nightmare," Mac says as he moves to the counter to take his first hit.

***

"What is all this?" Sabine asks as she moves into the living room of the Rockwell mansion living room and sees Nathan, Slate and Carmen all with glasses of champagne in their hands. "Are we celebrating something?"

"Oh darling," Nathan grins back to her. "You're just in time. We were just about to toast ourselves."

"A toast? Then this is a celebration," Sabine moves up to Nathan, while Carmen pours another glass of champagne. "What is the occasion?"

"The Rockwell's," Slate looks back at her. "They've all moved out of the mansion. This beautiful estate is ours, and only ours."

Sabine feels the blood drain from her face as she accepts the champagne from Carmen. "They moved out? But…why?"

"Because," Nathan replies to her. "I took over as the head of the house hold. They didn't want to be here if Mackie boy wasn't in charge. So, they all left."

Sabine gulps heavily. "I'm not sure this is a cause for celebration," she quickly tells them. "This is their home. They should be here."

"But it was there choice to leave," Carmen gets a glimmer in her eye. "And now, we are here. So, cheers guys. To having everything we have ever wanted."

The four glasses clink together while Sabine continues to wonder what this latest development actually means.

***

Lex puts his laptop down on to the coffee table of his condo as he is finishing working late from home for the day. He wants nothing more than to have a drink and a hot shower and then fall asleep. It has been a hell of a long day, and he is still wondering how he can prove that Carmen is behind the water at the office.

He moves closer to the washroom as he continues to think of a plan to expose her for everything that she has done.

He opens the door to the washroom and freezes as the room is filled with steam. He arches his eyebrow, wondering how the room even got steamy, since no hot water was running. He turns to look in the mirror and gasps in horror.

Written on the mirror in the steam, is the message "You Killed Me".

"What the fuck is happening?" Lex asks himself quickly as he starts to panic about what is going on with him.

***

A short time later, Carmen is walking down at the marina and she looks around. She can't help but remember getting the text message from an unknown number telling her to meet her at the marina. She wasn't going to come, but she couldn't help but be curious about who could have messaged her.

She moves to the pier and sees someone standing up against a small boat. She arches her eyebrow as she moves quickly towards the person.

"Hey," she calls out, as the figure looks up. "I'm here, what's this all about?"

The figure moves quickly from their position and jumps onto the boat quickly. Carmen rushes towards the boat, which is called Silver Lining, and is able to jump on to the boat herself.

"Where'd you go?" she asks as she looks around the boat.

"Hey," a voice calls out as Carmen looks up and gasps at the sight in front of her. "Miss me?" Mateo Santos asks her as his eyes twinkle in the moon light.