The Young and the Restless Recap, August 18, 2025: Lily and Cane fail to reach an agreement

On the Monday, August 18th episode of The Young and the Restless, Audra continued to lie to Nate, Phyllis had doubts about Nick’s intentions, and Lily forced Cane to deal with the twins alone.

What happened on The Young and the Restless

At Crimson Lights, Nikki asked how Claire was doing, and she offered to hold the tissue box or just be there with her granddaughter. Claire was grateful she could rely on almost everyone. Nikki recognized that it was sometimes hard to accept that Victor was always compelled to protect his family. Claire declared that what Victor had done was unforgivable, and she’d never look at him in the same way again.

Nikki lamented that it broke her heart to think about Claire pushing her grandfather away. Claire questioned why she should forgive Victor when it had been his choice to attack the man she loved. Nikki recalled that she’d had the same conversation with Victoria over the years, and Claire concluded it meant Victor would never change. Nikki encouraged Claire to wait to see how she felt in a few weeks, but Claire refused to wait any longer for happiness.

Nikki implored Claire not to let anyone keep her from grabbing life with both hands. Nikki recounted that everyone had tried to talk her out of being with Victor, but life was too short. Claire confided that there was one more thing that was worrying her, and she didn’t know what to do about it.

Claire shared that Audra was still trying to make her believe something had happened between Kyle and Audra. Claire informed Nikki about the staged kiss and condemned Audra for treating Kyle like movie prop. Claire proclaimed that she wasn’t a timid mouse, and she had the urge to fight back just as dirty.

Claire promised she wouldn’t turn into her Aunt Jordan, but she thought Nate deserved to know what Audra was capable of. Nikki clucked that Nate needed time to grieve the loss of his brother. Claire growled that Audra was playing the sweet, supportive girlfriend while being willing to cheat on Nate to get what she wanted, and she vowed to blow Audra out of the water once Nate got back.

In Chancellor Park, Audra bemoaned to Nate that she couldn’t stop seeing Amy’s face at the funeral. Audra feared that Amy hadn’t been eating, and she and Nate resolved to keep an eye on their friend. Audra also pledged to be there for him while he grieved his brother. Nate preferred to talk about anything but the funeral, and he turned the topic to what had gone wrong with Victor and Vibrante.

Audra asserted that she hadn’t been able to deal with knowing Victor would always pull the strings. Nate noted that she’d known that when she’d accepted Victor’s offer, and he asked what had changed. Audra reasoned that she’d been too excited about Victor’s endorsement to be rational, but she’d had time to think clearly in Nice, so she’d told Victor she was out. Nate still sensed Audra was holding back, and he pressed to know what she wasn’t telling him.

Audra considered it an accusation, and she asked why Nate wouldn’t take her at her word. Audra was offended that Nate wouldn’t believe she’d walked away because she had integrity. Nate swore he was just trying to understand why things felt off, and her getting defensive made him more certain there was something she didn’t want him to know.

Audra expressed frustration that Nate thought she was too weak to walk away from Victor. She groused that the cost of having Victor’s support was her self-respect, and that wasn’t for sale. She was insulted that Nate was treating her like a sellout who would do anything for a dollar. Nate inquired whether she was giving up on Vibrante for good.

Audra accepted that she had to let Vibrante go, but she anticipated having other ideas and her own money to make them happen because she’d be working with Sally at Abbott Communications. Nate was surprised that Audra hadn’t said anything about it, and she surmised he didn’t approve. Nate requested a second to catch up on everything he’d missed. Audra figured her business matters were petty compared to what he and Amy were going through. Nate supported her decision, but he was still convinced there was more to it, and he wasn’t happy about her keeping it from him.

On Cane’s train, Lily urged Cane to jump on her offer because their kids knew he’d lied to them about his life as Dumas. Cane defended that his work was just one aspect of his life, and he put being a father first. Lily maintained that she would help explain everything if he gave up whatever he was planning in Genoa City. Cane pointed out that he could agree to get her to hold up her end, but he wondered what she would do if he went forward with his plans anyway.

Cane proposed that they make a different deal in which Lily gave him another chance, but she scoffed at the idea of going on a date. He pointed out that it would be just as easy for her to lie to him as it was for him to lie to her. She snapped that seeing everything as a lie or trick wasn’t everyone’s reality. Cane determined that they were at a stalemate, and the question was whether one of them would bend.

Cane argued that he and Lily had shared the kind of love that happened once in a lifetime. Lily flatly replied that relationships died. He resolved to deal with the kids on his own if they couldn’t agree, but she warned that they’d just walk away because they were furious with him. Cane reasoned that he and the twins loved one another, and they’d eventually understand because love could accomplish anything.

Holden entered and apologized for interrupting. Lily demanded to know what kind of job opportunity Cane had in mind for Holden. Cane claimed he’d hired Holden to manage his properties in Genoa City after the great job he’d done in L.A. Lily huffed that Holden had worked for Damian, adding that Damian’s funeral had been beautiful and moving – if Cane cared to know. Cane said he was sorry he hadn’t been able to make it.

Holden expressed condolences to Lily for her loss. Lily grumbled that properties still had to be managed, and she found it interesting that Cane had hired Holden back after firing him. Cane reported that Damian had said nothing but good things about Holden. Holden swore he would have done anything for his best friend, but Damian hadn’t had his back, and Cane hadn’t taken Damian’s life. Lily warned Holden to stay away from Cane – and to watch his back if he didn’t.

Holden reasoned that Damian had been a big part of his life, but he also had to work, and Cane had always been a fair boss. Lily spat that Cane had inspired a lot of loyalty for a man who hadn’t stated his name or shown his face. She confirmed that she and Cane were at a stalemate, and she wished him luck with the kids because they deserved a father they could believe in. She also warned that she’d tell them the truth if she talked to them first. Lily left.

Holden apologized for his bad timing, and he commented that Cane’s angry ex definitely had opinions. Cane cautioned Holden against ever speaking about Lily with disrespect. Holden reported that everything was going well with the properties, and no one knew he was working for Cane. Cane instructed Holden to add Nick to his list of connections to make in Genoa City.

Once alone, Cane left a voicemail for Charlie, hoping to arrange a call with him and Mattie to explain the things that had been going on and tell them how much he loved them.

Phyllis rambled in Italian to Nick at Society’s bar, and he guessed she’d just been on the phone with Summer. Phyllis suspected she’d interrupted their daughter’s date, and Nick hoped Summer didn’t move Marchetti’s offices back to Milan. Phyllis was sure Summer didn’t want to return to Genoa City because she’d do anything to avoid Kyle and Claire.

Nick assured Phyllis that Summer was tough, like her mother. Phyllis thought Nick wanted to believe that because it made him worry less, but she disagreed. Phyllis contended that she was tough because she’d had no other choice with no one to lean on. Nick conceded that Summer should stay in Milan if she was happy there, and he inquired about where things stood between Phyllis and Cane.

Phyllis acknowledged that Nick hated Cane, but Nick swore that cooler heads were prevailing since they’d returned from Nice. Phyllis incredulously asked if Nick wanted to be Cane’s pal. Nick clarified that they could be allies. Phyllis assumed Nick wanted her to be Cane’s ally and report back to Nick.

Phyllis scoffed at the idea of Nick being willing to forgive and forget what had happened in France. Nick insisted things didn’t have to be like that in Genoa City, but he understood why Cane might not be able to trust anyone in return. Phyllis admitted that Cane tested her all the time and took nothing at face value. She asked what Nick wanted to get out of it. Nick swore he wanted peace.

Phyllis wondered how Nick intended to convince Cane he was sincere. Nick suspected Cane had no one to count on, but Cane was starting to let Phyllis in, so she might be the closest thing Cane had to an inner circle. Nick hinted that it could be an opportunity for her to open the door a bit for an old friend.

Phyllis doubted she had much influence over Cane, but she saw someone who did. Nick called Lily over, and she relayed that she and Cane had discussed the twins, since Newman Media had made sure the world knew who Dumas was. Phyllis was taken aback that Cane had never told his children about it. Lily griped that her kids were devastated that their father hadn’t been honest with them, and she wondered if they could ever forgive him.

Phyllis reasoned that the twins loved their dad and would forgive Cane. Lily cried that even if they forgave him, they’d have trouble trusting him again. Lily pledged that if Cane hurt her children any more than he already had, he would have to deal with her.

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