Written by: Dallas Walsh

Lex Rockwell finishes buttoning up his shirt as he looks in the mirror in the bedroom of his condo that he shares with Mateo Santos. He moves to grab his tie and begins to put it around his neck as he continues to prepare for his day. He knows that his day will be hectic as he must figure out a way to get Carmen removed from CEO of Rockwell Mining; the longer she is in power of the company, the worse shape his father's legacy is in. He also knows that Lydia is determined to have Carmen striped of everything that Mac left for her in the will.

He moves to grab his suit jacket and his bag but he hears a knock on the door before he can grab his keys. He wonders who could be at the door since he will see most of his family at the office in a short time. He moves to the door and is floored to see Houston Blackmore standing on the other side.

"I hope you're happy," Houston looks at his half-brother with distain. "My life is a complete mess right now and it's all your fault."

Lex uneasily chuckles back to him. "Why am I not surprised that you are choosing to blame anyone and everyone else other than yourself, Houston?" he asks him back quickly. "I certainly didn't force you into bed with Sabine, you did that all on your own."

"Kent has disowned me, you know that right? My father wants nothing more to do with me and that's because you chose to expose my affair in the most public way possible!" Houston grits his teeth back to him.

"I hadn't heard that Kent disowned you," Lex replies to him quickly. "He did, however, ask me to run Blackmore Ltd. again, so I guess I shouldn't be surprised that you are on the outs."

"You didn't accept, did you?" a stunned Houston asks him back. The last thing he wants is for Lex to return to Blackmore Ltd, when he still believes that it is his birthright, not Lex's.

"No, I didn't," Lex tells him as Houston breathes a sigh of relief. "But, I only said no because with Mac's passing, my family needs me right now. If Mac was alive and well, I would be the CEO of Blackmore Ltd. again."

"Then I'm glad Mac is dead and gone so Blackmore doesn't have you leading it," Houston spits back to him.

"You son of a bitch," Lex glares back at him. "You will never be even half the man Mac was, Houston. You're just a sad, pathetic, spoiled little boy who throws tantrums when he doesn't get what he wants. I'm not sorry that your life is a living hell right now because, from where I stand, you brought this all on yourself. Now, get the hell out of my apartment, I have a company to save."

***

"Darling, you're here early, that makes me happy, we have a lot to accomplish today," Lydia Rockwell announces to her son Cole Rockwell as she moves into the main office at Rockwell Mining. Lydia wanted her children at the office early this morning so they could try to see if anyone had any ideas on how to get rid of Carmen from the company. She is still livid that Mac left Carmen enough shares in his will to retain the CEO position of the company.

"Good morning Mom," Cole sighs heavily back to her as he pours a cup of coffee. "Coffee?"

"No, I'm going to have a brandy," Lydia tells him as she moves to the bar. "I think better with a brandy in my hand."

Cole uneasily chuckles back to her. "That you do."

"What is it Cole?" Lydia turns to him, sensing something is off with her oldest child. "I can tell something is troubling you."

"I can't keep anything from you, can I?" Cole asks her as he takes a sip of his coffee. "To be honest, I am just feeling very lost right now. Everything in my life seems to be a mess right now."

"I know that losing your father has been hard Cole," Lydia tells him quickly as she grabs his hand and they move to the sofa to sit with one another. "But, that's what today is all about, we are going to get rid of Carmen once and for all."

"It is more than just losing Dad," Cole admits to her quickly. "It is also the fact that Rockwell Mining is in crisis mode, and while you want Carmen gone, I'm not sure it will be that easy. And, Madi is still in jail and I'm not sure there's anything I can do to get her out."

"Oh, my darling Cole," Lydia pulls him into a hug. "These things are all temporary, you must keep the faith and things will turn around, you'll see. Starting with today, I have faith that we will come up with something to get Carmen out of this company. And, with time, the loss of Mac will get easier on us all. And, I know that you and the Cooper's will figure out a way to help Madison. I truly believe that."

"Thanks Mom," he tries to smile back to her. "I will try to have your optimism."

***

Lucinda Rockwell ushers herself inside the country club looking to have a quick bite to eat before she proceeds to Rockwell Mining to have her meeting with the family about a discussion on how to remove Carmen from the company. She knows that it is critical to do this as the company is suffering every day that Carmen is in charge. As she waits for the hostess, she can't help but notice Sabine Andrews sitting alone at the bar. Lucinda finds herself walking up to Lydia's sister.

"A bit early to be drinking alone, isn't it?" Lucinda asks as she arrives at the younger blonde.

"Go away, you old bat," Sabine replies to her quickly before taking a sip of her champagne cocktail. "I am in no mood today with you today. Or any day for that matter."

"That's a pity," Lucinda tells her quickly. "We are practically still family, so you will have to deal with me on a regular basis. Unless, of course, you left town."

"Why would I do that?" Sabine looks over at her. "My family is here. My career is here."

"Your career was here," Lucinda corrects her. "Once Kent found out that you were sleeping with his son, he fired you from Blackmore Ltd. Rockwell Mining has no use for you either, so why would you stay here Sabine? You've made a complete fool of yourself with your latest stunt by sleeping with a father and a son."

"Once I make Kent realize that it was a mistake…"

"Darling, if Kent hasn't forgiven you by now, he never will," Lucinda rolls her eyes at her. "It's high time you pack up your belongings and fly away on the broom that you came into town on."

Sabine picks up her drink and has a hearty mouth full. She turns to say something back to Lucinda, but she has disappeared leaving Sabine all alone again. She sighs heavily wondering if Lucinda is right, maybe it is time she left town. A fresh start could be exactly the thing that turns her life around right now.

***

A short time later, Sabine is paying her bill at the bar when she turns and sees Houston rushing into the country club. She knows that the two of them have been avoiding each other since the truth about their affair was revealed at Kent's announcement last Christmas. Considering how small Kelsey Lake is, she is surprised that they haven't run into each other sooner.

"Houston, I'm just on my way out," Sabine tells him as she walks up to him, as he waits for the hostess to be seated. "I didn't want to be rude and not say hi to you, but think we can both agree and we don't need anyone to see us together."

"I couldn't agree more," he nods back to her. "Before you go, do you mind if I ask you if Kent has forgiven you yet?"

She shakes her head back to him immediately. "No, and based on our last conversation, I don't think it will happy any time soon. I think Kent and I are truly over. I'm guessing based on the question, he hasn't forgiven you either?"

"He fired me from Blackmore Ltd. and he disowned me," Houston reveals to her.

"Oh Houston, I am so sorry," Sabine shakes her head back to him. "I can't believe that all of this happened. I don't know how we could have made such a silly mistake."

"For the record, I don't regret our time together Sabine," Houston looks back at her. "You taught me things about myself that I didn't know, and for that I am grateful. I have to believe that in time Kent and Stacey will come around and forgive me."

"I hope you're right," Sabine locks eyes with him. "I've made a decision though, and so, if I don't see you again for a while take care of yourself, okay?"

"What does that mean? What kind of decision?"

"You'll find out soon enough. Everyone will."

***

Stacey Rockwell finishes putting some documents into her bag that she wants to review with the rest of the Rockwell family at the office. She looks at her watch and realizes that she is running late because everyone wanted to meet before Carmen arrived for the day.

"Okay, I have to get to the office," she tells herself as she grabs her bag and jacket and moves to the front door. She is startled when she sees Houston on the other side, just about to ring the doorbell. "Houston, what are you doing here?"

"These are for you," he tells Stacey as he pulls out a dozen red roses from behind his back. "I know you like roses…"

"You shouldn't have," Stacey tells him as she moves outside and closes the front door. "I'm on my way out, Houston."

"I came all this way to give you these flowers," Houston tries to tell her. "Consider it a peace offering?"

Stacey turns and faces him. She takes the flowers from his hands and smells them. "They smell pretty," she forces a smile on her face. "Too bad they came from someone as rotted as you."

"Stacey, come on," Houston pleads with her. "I'm trying here."

Stacey moves to the trash can and throws the roses inside before putting the lid back on it. "That's what I think of your flowers, Houston. I told you, we are finished and I meant it."

"Don't you think Drake deserves to have two parents that are together?" Houston asks her next.

Stacey moves up to him. "Don't you dare bring my son into this," she grits her teeth together. "You weren't thinking of Drake when you were with Sabine, so don't bring him into this now!"

"Fine, I'm sorry," Houston replies to her. "I know that you're heading out, but do you mind if I go inside and see Drake? I haven't seen him in a few days and I miss my little boy."

"I told you that I won't stop you from seeing Drake and I meant that," Stacey tells him. "But, you have to be gone by the time I get home from my meeting. I don't want to see you again, Houston."

***

"Kent, open the door," Vivian Blackmore yells from the hallway outside of the penthouse where her ex-husband lives. "I'm not leaving here until you see me, so open the damn door!"

Kent Blackmore finally opens the door and glares at his ex-wife. "What do you think you're doing? Are you trying to get me a noise complaint?"

"You will damn well get more than that when I'm done with you," Vivian hisses at him as she barges into his apartment. "Houston told me that you fired him and that you disowned him. What is wrong with you?"

Kent sighs back to her before he moves to his bar to pour himself a brandy. "In case you have forgotten, Vivian, Houston was sleeping with Sabine behind my back," Kent tells her as he takes a sip of his drink.

"Weren't you and Sabine on a break of some kind?" Vivian huffs back to him. "Actually, never mind, that is irrelevant! Houston is your son, your flesh and blood. You will not just cut ties with him because he made a mistake!"

"A mistake?" Kent chuckles back to her. "A mistake is forgetting to pick up milk at the grocery store. Fucking my fiancé, multiple times I might add, is not a mistake, Vivian! So no, I will not put Houston back into my life or my will! He has been fed on that damn silver spoon long enough. If he wants to swim with sharks, he's going to learn that he's going to get bitten."

"I can't believe that you are letting Sabine Andrews come between you and Houston," Vivian shakes her head in disgust back to him. "I thought you were a better man than this, Kent. I really, really did."

"And I thought we raised a better son," Kent spits back to her. "But, alas, here we are."

***

"I want to hear from you every day, whether it is a text or an email or a phone call," Dyhannah Cooper feels her eyes swell with water as she looks at her son, Deacon, who is about to board a plane as he is leaving Kelsey Lake to start his campaign trail for the seat on the Senate. She knows that the tears are happy tears but she is still getting emotional because she is so proud of everything her son has accomplished.

"Don't mind your mother, she is being dramatic," Chase Cooper looks at his ex-wife and then back at his son. "You will be busy running the best campaign this state has ever seen. I'm proud of you, Deacon."

"Thank you," Deacon smiles back to his parents before he pulls them into hugs. "I couldn't have done with without you, so thank you for your support. And yes, Mom, I promise I will be in touch."

"We love you so much Deacon," Dyhannah lets a tear fall down her cheek. "Now, go catch your plane and win that damn seat!"

Deacon chuckles back to her. "Will do, bye guys," he waves before he turns to board the plane.

Dyhannah and Chase stand there and watch Deacon board the plane. "You see Chase," Dyhannah turns to her ex-husband. "This is exactly why I don't want you anywhere near Vivian Blackmore."

"Why is that?" Chase asks her as they look at one another.

"Because Deacon and I have something she will never have," Dyhannah purses her lips together. "And that is success."

***

"I can't believe these numbers," Lex tells himself as he sits behind Mac's old desk at Rockwell Mining and he reviews the latest stock information about the company. "The stock price is falling more and more each and every day."

He puts the file down and moves over to the bar to pour himself a drink. He knows that the rest of the family will be even more determined to remove Carmen from the CEO position now that they have more proof that the company is suffering because of her leadership.

"Lydia is right," he whispers to himself before he takes a sip of his brandy. "We have to get rid of Carmen before it's too late."

He quickly glances at his watch and realizes that the family should be here any time for the meeting; however, he also notes that Carmen should be arriving at the office soon too. He just hopes that they have enough time to get through the family meeting before she shows up. Suddenly, Lex gets an idea and he rushes back to his desk.

"Mateo, it's me," he says after dialing his lover's phone number. "Can you do me a favor? Can you please go to the mansion and take your sister to breakfast at the country club?" he asks him as he waits for Mateo's response. "What do you mean it's impossible? … Carmen went to Cabo? No, it's fine. This is actually going to work out just perfect."

***

An annoyed Stacey opens the front door to the Rockwell mansion and barges inside. She realizes that she should be at Rockwell Mining right now for the family meeting on how to deal with Carmen, but when Houston arrived earlier she ended up forgetting her purse, so she had to turn around and come back to retrieve it. As she moves up to the entry way to the living room, however, she freezes when she hears Houston's voice.

"I can't believe how big you're getting little man," Houston smiles to his son, Drake, who is pushing some small cars around on the floor. "Before you know, you're going to be talking and then going to school. Man, time sure flies."

Houston picks up the infant and holds him in his arms. "I miss seeing you every day, you know," he whispers to his son, as Stacey watches on. "I know that it's different now that I'm not living here with you and Mommy, but I don't want you to worry about that, okay Drake? Because, I will never stop trying to make things with your mother. You have my word on that. The three of us, we belong together as a family. And who knows, maybe one day, we will give you a little brother or sister. Would you like that?"

Drake makes a loud noise with his mouth which causes Houston to chuckle a little. "Yea, I thought you'd like that. I would too. Now, we just have to convince Mommy of that, right? Yea, we will do that. I now we will."

Stacey leans up against the wall in the foyer of the mansion and gets tears in her eyes as she listens to Houston and Drake talk about how they can get her to forgive Houston for the unforgiveable.

***

"Lucinda, wait," Lydia calls out to her former mother in law as she steps off the elevator at Rockwell Mining and sees the older woman about to enter Mac's old office. Lydia can't stop thinking about her conversation with Cole where he was admitting that he has been feeling lost about his life right now. As a mother, Lydia hates that her son is feeling that way and she wants to do something, anything, to help him. "I'm glad I have a moment alone with you before the meeting. We have to talk."

Lucinda arches her eyebrow back to her. "What else do have to discuss other than removing Carmen Santos from this company?"

"Celeste Baldwin," Lydia whispers back to her as she looks over her shoulders to ensure that no one else can hear what she is going to say. "Have you heard anything from her since she disappeared?"

"No," Lucinda quickly replies to her. "And frankly, I don't think I will. I think we pushed her to the very edge with her trying to scare Carmen."

"We have to find her," Lydia informs her. "Cole is feeling lost about his life right most; between Mac's passing, the crisis we are dealing with here at Rockwell Mining and, I think mostly, because Madison is still in jail for a crime, we both know she didn't commit. If we bring Celeste back, Madison would be free and Cole would snap out of his depression."

"What are you suggesting we do?" Lucinda asks her back.

"We have to find Celeste," Lydia says back to her quickly. "And bring her back to clear Madison's name."

***

A short time later, the Rockwell's are in the main office at Rockwell Mining as their family meeting is about to begin. Lydia stands behind the desk and folds her arms as she is stunned by Lex's latest news that Carmen is in Cabo, and the current stock prices of the company.

"This is exactly why we have to get this woman out of the company," Lydia tells the family. "As if we didn't need more evidence, these stock prices are truly the final straw."

"What can we do though?" Stacey asks the family. "Dad's will left her with more shares which means he is continuing to be the majority shareholder."

"Unless we convince the rest of the board to vote her out?" Cole asks everyone next.

"I'm afraid that won't work," Lex tells his brother. "Carmen has the most shares, so she will get the most votes in that type of situation. There's no way she would vote herself out."

"Right, I didn't even think of that," Cole shakes his head back to Lex. "What is left for us to do?"

Lydia looks over at Lucinda and suddenly realizes that she knows what they can do. "Lydia? You have a strange look on your face," Lucinda notes that she is looking at her. "What is it?"

"I think I know exactly how we can get rid of Carmen Santos once and for all," Lydia purses her lips together as a sly grin comes across her face.

***

CABO AZUL, CABO DEL SAN JOSE, MEXICO

The Cabo Azul resort is one of the most luxurious and expensive resorts in all of Cabo, Mexico. This is exactly why Carmen is staying in the penthouse suite while she takes some time to unwind. She moves through the large suite on to the balcony and sees the waves of the Pacific Ocean crashing into the white sand beach; the hot sun is beating down upon her as she only wears a tight bikini.

"I needed this more than I realized," she tells herself as she picks up her margarita on the table behind her. "After everything that happened with Mac and the will, I needed some down time."

She thinks back to how after the will was read, she went to the country club to meet the man that she met on Tinder. They had champagne, strawberries and made love in his room; she, also, needed that as it had been weeks since she accidently killed Mac. The man that she met was a wonderful lover; he was able to go as long as she required and he filled her in every way possible.

"Just thinking about his dark hair, his hazel eyes and his firm chest," she tells herself as she spreads out on the lounge chair that is on the patio. "Hmm, I could have that again and again."

"Talking to yourself?" her lover appears at the door, fresh from the shower. "Why don't you come inside, and we can have, uh, a conversation?"

Carmen licks her lips as he drops his towel to the floor. "Talking is the last thing on my mind," she stands up and moves closer to him, lust creeping into her eyes.

***

Stacey ushers her way into the country club as she wants to have a drink. Between overhearing Houston's plead to Drake that he will do whatever he can ensure they reunite and the on-going crisis at Rockwell Mining, Stacey would love to have a cocktail and try to clear her head. She has so many things going on right now, she just feels like she needs to get her thoughts in order. She is about to move to a free table when she sees Kent sitting at the bar by himself. She finds herself moving up to the man that was almost her stepfather.

"Looks like we had the same idea," Stacey announces as she moves up to the bar before Kent takes a sip of his whiskey sour. "Drinking to clear your head?"

Kent chuckles back to her. "I suppose it is that," he nods back to her. "Really, I'm trying to figure out a way to ensure Sabine and Houston know that I mean what I have been telling them; I don't want them in my life anymore."

"I told Houston the same thing," Stacey tells him as she sits next to him. "But, then I heard him talking to Drake …"

"Don't let Houston's love for his son impact your decision," Kent looks back at her. "It's time that you get a real man in your life, Stacey. Enough with my son, he has done nothing but hurt you."

"I know," Stacey uneasily replies to him. "I've caused my share of pain too, but it does feel like I've hit a dead end."

"There are plenty of fish in the sea," Kent smiles back to her. "A beautiful woman like yourself, you could have your pick of any guy you wanted."

Stacey chuckles back to him. "You're sweet Kent," she purses her lips together. "And, good for my ego."

"It's all true."

"Well thank you," Stacey looks back at him. "I needed to hear that today, more than you know."

***

"I think I have figured out where we can go," Celeste tells Mac as she pours two cups of tea and then passes him one. She moves closer to her lover and sits next to him before she takes a sip of her tea. "I almost can't believe I didn't think of this sooner."

Mac takes a sip of his tea and looks back at her. "Okay, don't keep me in suspense, where should we go?"

"Before I came to Kelsey Lake," Celeste replies to him. "I was working as a consultant in San Antonio," she continues to explain to Mac. "I bought a small condo there. I think we should head to San Antonio and stay in my condo> What do you think?"

"Texas?" Mac asks her back with a chuckle. "That's a pretty good distance from here."

"It could be fun," she smiles to him. "We could have an adventure road trip!"

Mac chuckles back to her before he leans up and kisses her. "I think that is a great idea," he tells her. "We'll leave first thing tomorrow morning?"

"I guess we better start packing up," she nods to him, thrilled that Mac is on board with going to Texas with her.

***

"Have you heard from Carmen since she went to Mexico?" Lex asks Mateo the following morning as they lay next to each other in the king size bed in the condo that they live in together. They are just waking up for the day and Lex is curious about when Carmen will be coming home so he can try to prepare himself and the family for the next phase in their quest to have her removed from Rockwell Mining.

"I haven't actually," Mateo looks over at his lover. "I got a text from her that she was leaving but nothing since she arrived. I'm guessing she just needed some down time after everything that has happened."

"Yea, I guess so," Lex uneasily nods back to him. "The problem is that Rockwell Mining is really in dire need of leadership right now; our stock prices are plummeting, it really wasn't the best time for her to disappear."

"She will be back," Mateo looks back over at Lex. "In the meantime, how about we start our morning off with something more fun."

Lex winks back to him. "Whatever do you have in mind?"

"I think you know exactly what I have in mind," he leans over and kisses his lover passionately.

***

"Nana, you're here early," Stacey observes to Lucinda as she moves into the living room of the Rockwell mansion. She was under the assumption that, like the day before, most of the family would just meet at Rockwell Mining as they continue to think of a way to get rid of Carmen as the CEO. "Is everything okay?"

"Oh, absolutely fine," Lucinda takes a sip of her coffee as he looks at her granddaughter. "I wanted to see Drake this morning before we went into the office. I can't believe how quickly he is growing up."

"You're telling me," Stacey chuckles back to her. "Time flies and before you know it, he will be going to school."

"Try to enjoy the time while you can," Lucinda says back to her. "It is over before you realize it."

"Losing Dad has really hit you hard, hasn't it?"

"A mother isn't supposed to outlive her children," Lucinda tells her. "So yes, it has been difficult. That's why Stacey, I need you to make sure you know what you're doing with Houston Blackmore. I understand that he hurt you but the two of you have been through so much together."

"I can't believe what I'm hearing," Stacey admits to her. "I always thought you didn't want me with Houston because he's a Blackmore?"

"I would prefer you to not be with him," she tells her granddaughter. "But, the fact remains, you two have a history and a son. All I'm saying Stacey, is that you need to follow your heart. And, if you ever tell anyone that I said this, I will deny it."

Stacey chuckles back to Lucinda before she pulls her into a hug. "Thank you, Nana."

"My pleasure my love."

***

Madison Stewart sits at a picnic table in the outdoor space of the state prison that she is in and takes a deep breath. The air is fresh and fills her lungs; she is grateful that she can still go outside sometimes despite being locked up in the jail. She is sitting alone as she hasn't made that many friends yet, not that she wants to be friends with the other women that she is locked up with.

She looks across the grounds and sees another woman sitting alone. The woman looks to be older than Madi and like she hasn't aged very well. Madi doesn't know why she is drawn to her but she finds herself standing up and moving over to the other picnic table.

"Beautiful day, hey?" Madi asks as she sits across from the woman.

"That it is," she replies to her. "You're new here, huh?"

"Relatively," Madi uneasily says back to her. "I'm not sure how long I'll be here."

She chuckles back to her. "That's what we all say when we first arrive, but before you know it, years have gone by."

"You've been here awhile?"

"Longer than I should have been," the woman says back to her.

"I'm Madison," Madi extends her hand to shake it.

"Pleasure Madison," the woman says. "I'm Janice, Janice Young."

***

"Well, isn't this a pleasant surprise?" Dyhannah announces to Marat as she moves into the country club and sees the Russian sitting at the bar by himself. As soon as she saw him, Dyhannah wanted to come and say hello since she very much enjoyed flirting with him the other day when she met him.

Marat looks back at the woman and chuckles to himself. "This is starting to become a habit," he tells her. "Maybe this time you will be able to tell me this proposition that you have for me?"

Dyhannah sits next to him and orders a negroni. "I am ironing out the details but believe me, it will be worth your while," she purses her lips together. "I'm glad that you remembered, it obviously struck a chord with you."

Marat looks over at her as he takes a sip of his brandy. "The entire meeting has replayed in my mind a few times," he admits to her. "You're a very charismatic woman, Dyhannah."

Dyhannah takes a slow sip of her drink as she get a grin on her face. "I'm glad you think so, Mr. Kafelinkov," Dyhannah replies to him. "I'm flattered that you think so."

"It would be impossible for someone to not think so," Marat tells her. "I'm really looking forward to meeting you when you have this offer all lined up. Curious to know what you have up your sleeve."

Dyhannah giggles back to him. "I'm sure you are," she winks back to him. "Let's see how patient you can be."

***

"Did anyone see you come in?" Vivian Blackmore asks Chase Cooper as he moves into the living room of her large mansion. He came in through the back door because they both know that Dyhannah is still blackmailing them to stay away from each other. Neither one of them, however, wants to keep up with the charade of being apart.

"No, I was careful," he tells her as he moves to the bar. "The last thing we need is for Dyhannah to know that we are still seeing one another."

"We have to do something to get her to drop this damn blackmail," Vivian grits her teeth together. "She has so much going her way right now, why can't she leave well enough alone?"

Chase takes a sip of his brandy. "Dyhannah has always wanted it all," he tells her. "It seems like she is finally getting that."

"She's working at Blackmore Ltd," Vivian replies to him quickly. "Maybe I can go to Kent to get her fired or something."

"No, we don't want to rock the boat," Chase shakes his head back to her. "Besides, if Dyhannah knows about my plan with Kent all those years ago, she likely was blackmailing Kent as well. She's holding the cards right now."

"Unless we can get those documents back from her," Vivian suggests to him. "If she doesn't have proof then she doesn't have a leg to stand on."

"I had thought of that," Chase admits to her. "However, I can't imagine that she hasn't made copies or taken pictures of those damn documents. If only they had been destroyed in that fire on the beach."

"Well I refuse to give up," Vivian moves up to him and pulls him into a hug. "You mean too much to me to give up now, Chase."

"I know my beauty," he whispers back to her. "We will think of a way out of this."

***

"I am not sure what else we have left to say to one another," Kent tells Sabine as he lets her into the penthouse where he lives. He was surprised to see his ex at his door since they have not been seeing eye to eye since her affair with Houston was exposed. He has told her, repeatedly, that he want's nothing more to do with her and yet here she is.

"I need you to hear me out, Kent," Sabine turns to face him once she's in the living room. "I've made a decision and you need to hear it from me."

Kent arches his eyebrow back to her. "What kind of decision?"

"I'm going to leave Kelsey Lake," she reveals to him. "I realize that I have made a mess of things here and some time away will do everyone some good."

"I think that is a really good idea," Kent admits to her. "We do need some time apart."

"I was thinking that since I am leaving and trying to be the bigger person that you could meet me half way with something," Sabine tells him next as Kent looks back at her wondering where she is going with this. "I know you fired me, Kent, but I am damn good at my job. Let me go to the New York office and get things turned around there, you know they've been struggling since the last senior executive retired last fall. Let me go and get the office back up and running; it is the least I can do to try to make this up to you."

Kent uneasily nods to her. "That's an interesting proposition. Let me think about it, okay, Sabine?"

***

"I'm glad you're all here," Sabine announces to the Rockwell family as she moves into the main office at Rockwell Mining. She sees Lydia, Cole, Stacey and Lex all waiting to hear her big announcement. "I have something to tell you all."

"Dear God, you're not pregnant, are you?" Lydia almost spits out her water at hearing that Sabine has an announcement to make.

"Very funny Lydia," Sabine moves closer to her sister. "No, I've made the decision to leave Kelsey Lake. I'm on the next flight to New York."

"Wow, New York?" Cole asks as he moves up and hugs his Aunt. "What are you going to do there?"

"I'm hoping Kent will let me run the Blackmore Ltd office," she explains to the family. "In any event, after everything that's happened these last few months, it will be good for me to get away. I really just wanted to you to hear it all from me that I am going to New York," Sabine continues to tell her family. "Especially you, Stacey."

Stacey uneasily looks back over at her Aunt. "I know that my affair with Houston really left you devastated, and I can't tell you how sorry I am. I am hoping that this space will give you the chance to heal and move on from this hurt. And please know that I love you still very, very much."

Stacey feels her eyes swell with water as Lex moves up behind her and pulls her into a hug. When Stacey doesn't say anything, Sabine uneasily nods to everyone. "Okay, I have one more stop to make and then I'm off to the airport. I'll send a Whatsapp message to the family when I'm settled in the Big Apple."

The Rockwell's watch as Sabine scurries out of the living room before they look at Stacey, awaiting some kind of response from her. She wipes a tear from her eye before she looks at her family.

"I'm fine," she whispers to everyone, trying to tell herself that she is doing okay. "I really am fine."

***

"Where did Stacey go?" Lucinda asks Cole and Lydia as she moves back into the living room after she had a quick washroom break after Sabine's announcement that she was leaving town.

"She wanted to get some fresh air," Lydia replies to her former mother in law. "I think this entire Houston and Sabine fiasco is really taking a toll on her, but she is trying to be strong."

"Stacey will get through this," Cole tells his mother and grandmother. "If she can handle everything she went through when Drake was born, she can survive this too."

"I am glad that Lucinda have you alone, Cole," Lydia moves over to the sofa and sits next to him as she passes him a brandy. "We have something we'd like to discuss with you and it is extremely important."

Cole looks back at Lydia and then shoots a glance at Lucinda. "What's going on now?"

"You told me that you were feeling a little overwhelmed with everything that has been going on lately," Lydia tells him back quickly.

"And, we have some news that might help take some of that anxiety away," Lucinda sits on the other side of Cole, who loos back and arches his eyebrow. "But, you must keep this between the three of us, at least of now."

"What the hell is going on?" Cole gasps back to them, unsure of what they are getting at.

"Celeste Baldwin," Lydia grabs her son's hand. "She is alive and well."

"What?" Cole gasps back to her, stunned by her revelation. "How is that possible?"

"Because," Lucinda tells him. "I faked her death to make it appear Carmen killed her. That's right, Carmen is the one who attacked her. I got Celeste to pretend to be a ghost to visit Carmen, hoping to scare her or drive her crazy, which ever came first."

"I…I don't believe this," Cole stands up and runs his hands through his hair. "Madison is in jail for something she didn't even do!"

"Exactly," Lydia rushes up to her son and puts her hands on his shoulders. "That's why we told you this information. If we can find Celeste, then Madi will be cleared and be released from jail! Don't you see, this is how you can get Madison out of the hell hole!"

"Wait," Cole looks back at her in shock, his head still reeling. "I thought you said Celeste was helping you. Why don't you know where she is?"

"She disappeared," Lucinda replies to him. "She was staying with me and one day she just vanished. With everything else that has been going on, we haven't had time to try to find her. But if we do…"

"Then Madi goes free…" Cole finishes her sentence. "The question is, where is Celeste?"

***

Stacey opens the door to the country club and quickly moves inside. After the visit she had with Sabine and her family, she needed an escape and a drink. She finds herself walking up to the bar and she orders a Manhattan before she takes a sit.

"Not even a hello?" a voice calls out next to her. "You must have had a rough morning?"

Stacey turns her head and notices Marat sitting next to her. "Marat, I'm so sorry. I didn't even see you there."

"I noticed," he chuckles back to her. "What's going on? You don't look like yourself?"

"You were right," she nods back to him. "It has been one hell of a morning."

"Let me guess, this has something to do with Sabine and Houston? I can't believe what they have put you through, Stacey."

Stacey takes a sip of her drink. "Houston has begged me to take him back and he has told my son that he will do whatever it takes to get me back," she reveals to him. "But, I don't know if I can forgive him this time. After everything we had gone through to get to this place of happiness, he sleeps with my Aunt, of all people? I don't know Marat, I just don't know."

"I know that you're hurt," Marat replies to her quickly. "But, if you remember, after I kissed you, you told me that you were determined to make it right with Houston this time. Please don't tell me that I walked away from you for no reason, Stacey."

Stacey uneasily smiles back to him. "Everything is about you, huh?"

He chuckles back to her. "Not always," he winks back to her. "But you were determined to make this relationship work with Houston. I know he made a mistake, but if there's any chance that you can get past what has happened then you must take that chance, Stacey. Lord knows, if I had one more chance with you, I'd never give it up and make damn sure we were happy together."

"You've given me a lot to think about, Marat," Stacey purses her lips together. "After everything we have been through, you have turned out to be a really good friend."

"And, I always will be."

***

A short time later, Stacey finishes her drink and grabs her purse to leave the country club. She realizes, however, that she should use the restroom before she departs so she scurries off.

Just then, Sabine opens the door to the country club and moves inside just as Houston comes down the stairs from the second level of the club. "Houston," Sabine calls out to him. "I'm glad I ran into you."

"Sabine?" Houston looks back at her. "I thought I told you that I didn't want anyone to see us together? If Stacey knew that we were together right now…"

"She will never know," Sabine waves her hand in the air. "I'm leaving town. After I leave here, I'm heading to the airport."

"What? Where are you going? Why are you doing this?"

"I have to leave," she admits to him. "I have to give everyone space to get over what we have done; hopefully me leaving town will give Kent the time he needs to forgive me and give Stacey the time she needs to forgive both of us. I just think some distance will be good for everyone."

Houston smiles back to her. "I can't thank you enough for doing this," he tells her. "You didn't have to be the one to leave town."

"I'm doing it for everyone, including myself. A change of scenery will be good for me too, you know."

"I get it," Houston tells her. "If I didn't have Drake to think about, I might think of doing the same. You are lucky that you can escape for a while. And, just so you know, I appreciate this very much."

"Thanks Houston," Sabine purses her lips and pulls him into a hug. "In some ways, I feel like I am losing my only friend by leaving you. But you take care and make sure you make things right with Stacey, okay?"

"I will," Houston whispers back to her as they continue to hug. "Take care of yourself and let me know if I can do anything to help you get settled."

Just then, Stacey emerges from the washroom and freezes at the sight of Sabine and Houston in each other's arms. She gulps and feels her heart move into her throat. Just when she thought she might be able to forgive Houston, she sees him in the arms of his lover.

***

"Is Carmen here or is she still on her extended vacation?" Lydia asks as she barges into the main office at Rockwell Mining and sees Lex, Cole and Lucinda waiting for her to arrive.

"As far as I know, she's still in Cabo," Lex replies to his mother. "Mateo hasn't suggested otherwise and I haven't seen her around here."

"Why would we see her around here?" Lydia shrugs her shoulders back to her family. "She's only the damn CEO!"

"Okay, let's stay calm," Cole tries to tell his mother. "We have all been thinking about a way to get Carmen out of the CEO seat, right? Surely, one of us has come up with something to get her out of this power seat?"

"I wish I could say I have come up with an idea," Lucinda manages to reply. "But other than personally removing every hair from her scalp personally, I haven't thought of anything."

Lydia chuckles back to her. "Good thing I am here," she looks at her family. "Because, I have uncovered this," she says as she pulls a large envelope out of her purse.

"What is that?" Lex asks his mother.

"An amendment to Mac's will that was just uncovered," Lydia's eyes twinkle in delight. "And, it left all of his shares of Rockwell Mining to you, Lexington."

"What?" Cole gasps back to him. "How is that possible? And what does that mean, exactly?"

"It means," Lex whispers back to everyone. "That I am the CEO of Rockwell Mining."

***

CABO AZUL; SAN JOSE LOS CABOS

"You have no idea how good that was for me," Carmen runs her hand over her lover's firm chest. "You never cease to amaze me."

"You're pretty good yourself," his voice replies to her. "The fact that you're so hot helps."

"You're also hot," she purrs as she crawls out of the bed and wraps herself in a robe. "It is so beautiful outside, maybe we should go down to the pool for a while? Would you like that?"

"I'd love it," he nods back to her, his face coming into the light. "I'd love every minute of it," Noel Baker smiles to her.