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Previously...

• Valerie struggled once again with her addictions when she accepted  money in return for sexual favors. Fighting off feelings for her biggest client, Braden, she vowed to keep him out of her mind and sight in the future. To preoccupy her time, she decided to pursue Terrence Bordeaux and the two went on several dates. When the two went to Terrence's home one night, an enraged Felicia came home and demanded Val to leave immediately. In Felicia's flashback, we learned that Val was the one who slept with Felicia's ex-husband and destroyed their marriage.
  
  
• Ashley probed Diane about the truth regarding her father. She learned that the man was named Sam Crawford and instantly the name was familiar in Ashley's mind. She was also told that her father still resided in South Beach, but that he had no interest in contacting her when Diane last spoke with him. Meanwhile, Joe and Ashley grew closer as they attended their first lamaze class and went together to Ashley's checkups.
  
  
• Kimberly's battle with the voices took an extreme turn for the worst when she created a new identity.  Calling herself 'Claudia Deauville', it was revealed that she was the person responsible for bringing Braden to Pac Heights. Plotting a company takeover, her new alliance meant that she would turn her back on the one man who was always there for her- Kimberly's own father.
  
  
  
  For a printable version of this episode, click here.
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  Scene: The Preston Residence. College Oaks District.

A cold chill runs down the spine of Valerie Preston as she looks out the window. Thick clouds hover above creating an eerie setting in Pac Heights this morning. She looks down at her phone once more and prays the call will come quickly. She's expecting to hear from her biggest client- the one who goes by the name of Braden . As much as she has tried not to attach herself to the clientele, his English accent and charm has been more than enough to win her over.

"Damn it, will you just call? I hate this..." Valerie mutters under her breath.

She realized Kayla and Rick will be out of the house for most of the day and a tight knot begins to form in her stomach. Rick is hard at work on a new case and Kayla is out shopping for the day with Haylie. Valerie knew that being left alone in the house was going to cause this...indeed; each time that she was left by herself a new battle would present itself. These internal struggles that she had with being alone would always strike like clockwork. She has tried for many years to understand it, but alas, understanding the true natures of her struggles has seemed impossible.

Suddenly she hears a car pull into the driveway and she quickly whips around back to the window. A sigh of relief is strangely accompanied by frustration as she realizes it's her mother who has arrived without prior notice. She hasn't spoken to Victoria for nearly a month and she wonders what prompted her to stop by at this very moment. Val convinces herself it is to see Haylie, the new granddaughter that Victoria can't get enough of.

"Hello, Mother." Valerie swings open the door to a shocked Victoria.

"Well, you're alive. Who would have guessed..."

"It's great to see you as well," Valerie replies as she rolls her eyes.

"Where is Kayla's car? Did she take Haylie somewhere? I can't imagine that she would have the sense to let you baby-sit..." Victoria trails off.

"Yes she did- and thanks for the vote of confidence."

"So what's new? Why haven't your father and I heard from you in so long? I wasn't even sure you were still in Pac Heights."

"Mother, I'm nearly thirty...I don't think you and dad need to worry about me at this point."

"Well, a call would be nice."

"I understand that. I've just been through a lot lately and I needed to get away from everything- and everyone."

"Running away isn't going to solve your problems, Valerie. You've done this your whole life and it breaks my heart to see it happen again."

"I'm fine now. Really..." Valerie replies as she looks away.

"I don't believe that for some reason..." Victoria raises a brow. "You know, it's our fault. Your father and I should have done something about this years ago…we should have had you seen someone for your depression. You know, it's not too late. Help is still out there if you need it."

"I don't need your help." Valerie begins to raise her voice. "I'm fine, okay?"

"Who are you trying to convince?" Victoria paces back and forth and pauses for a moment. "You can't shut everyone out like this."

"I will do as I please," Valerie says. "Will you please just leave now?"

"Excuse me? Are you really trying to kick me out? This isn't even your home…"

"Well, I'm staying here now and I would like it if you would leave. Please, Mother."

"I can't believe this...I'm serious, Valerie. You switch on and off like no one's business. You really need help."

"Leave now! Please!" Valerie's tone grows harsher as she opens the door for Victoria.

"Fine, as you wish. But me leaving isn't going to help anything. You'll see that, Valerie. You'll see that…"

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Scene: The Bordeaux Estate. Northern Heights District. 

"I still can't believe you embarrassed me like that..." Terrence looks to his mother and shakes his head.

"Excuse me? You're making the biggest mistake of your life going after that woman. I'm simply trying to save you from some heartache, Terrence."

"Yet you won't tell me how you know her? I'm just not understanding the whole thing. Why can't you just tell me the truth?"

"Because what she did was truly despicable. I can't even say it aloud, darling."

"I don't buy that- not from a woman as sweet as Val. I've really gotten to know her in the last few weeks and I can't imagine her hurting a fly- let alone doing something so hurtful like you're trying to insinuate."

"You just need to trust me on this, Terrence. You need to stay as far away from her as possible. Remember, mother always knows best." Felicia smiles.

"Mother has also given the same warnings about every woman I have ever dated. Do we even have to bring up Liz Bryant? You never even gave her a chance!"

"Oh, don't even get me started on that woman. Jesus Terrence, I really don't even need to go there...look how it turned out!"

"I'm just saying that there's a definite trend going on here. Why can't you just let me live my own life?"

"Because you're making big mistakes- and I love you! I can't see you get hurt again," Felicia does her best to explain.

"But they're my mistakes to be made. If I do get hurt, which I won't, then I'll learn from those mistakes. Why can't you just trust me on this one?"

"Fine Terrence, do what you need to do. Get your game on and play it how you want. If you don't want my input, I'll stop. I'm just warning you, this one is going to be more trouble than she's worth.

"Will you just stop? You're doing it again, Mother. And I need you to act more civilized around Val...hair pulling?"

"I don't plan on having any interaction with her again. Period."

"Yes you will, Mother, because I will have her over again. I need you to please lay off of her."

"That woman is not stepping a damn foot in this house again. She's already been in the house one time too many." Felicia locks eyes with her son.

"It's my house as well..." Terrence pleads.

"Well, then perhaps it's time for you to get your own place. Have you thought about that?"

"Please don't be like this, Mother."

"Like what? If you want to live under my roof, then you need to abide by my rules. I understand you are an adult, but there are things I won't have in my house."

"I'm not seventeen, Mother. I'm a full-grown adult and you are the one who always urged me to stay at home- telling me how lonely you would be if I ever left."

Felicia shakes her head and takes another sip of her wine. "I don't know what to say, Terrence..."

"Say you'll accept me dating Valerie and let me life my own life."

"I'm sorry, son," Felicia replies as she shakes her head. "I just can't do that. If that woman steps foot in my house again, it will be your last day living under my roof. It's your decision, Terrence- not mine."

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