Victoria and Cole sure were in for a shock on The Young and the Restless when Claire Grace, the woman holding the Newman family hostage, was revealed to be Eve Nicole, they baby they’d been told died soon after birth. The fallout has been Genoa City’s best story in ages. But what if Claire isn’t the only miraculous infant resurrection? What if there is another secret, not dead child, waiting in the wings?
Beyond Claire Grace: 30 Years Ago
During one of Victor (Eric Braeden) and Nikki’s (Melody Thomas Scott) extremely regular breakups, Nikki wed her back up guy, Jack (Peter Bergman). It was during this marriage, following a horseback riding accident which left her in constant pain, that Nikki developed an addiction to painkillers and alcohol. (Honestly, we’re stunned Victor isn’t blaming this latest fall of off the wagon on Jack, just for old times’ sake.)
Nikki was pregnant with Jack’s child, but she couldn’t keep away from Victor. After the two argued, Nikki collapsed and gave birth to a stillborn son, John Abbott III. Both parents were devastated, and Victor, never one to bypass a golden opportunity, offered Jack control of Jabot back, if he left Nikki. Jack accepted.
The Road Not Taken
But would Jack have done so if their baby had lived? Less likely, isn’t it? Which is what makes it more likely that Victor had little John spirited away, a dead infant left in his place — heck, maybe that’s where Jordan (Colleen Zenk) got her idea! That baby was an obstacle in Victor getting what he wanted — i.e. Nikki. Victor doesn’t like not getting what he wants.
Claire’s return might trigger Victor’s memory. And his guilt. Now that he’s had 30 years to think about it — and seen Victoria’s (Amelia Heinle) agony regarding Claire up close — maybe he’s mellowed enough to confess his crime. And reunite Nikki and Jack with their adult son.