Mariah’s Dark Confession

Mariah has been unraveling for weeks, and the September 18 episode of The Young and the Restless brought her internal struggle to the forefront. She admitted to Tessa that she tried to kill someone—but gave few details. Later, she approached Daniel, not with a full confession, but pleading for him to be a good friend to Tessa.

On the surface, it appeared Mariah was concerned about Daniel spending time with her wife, Tessa. Yet, there are hints that her motives run deeper, darker, and far more complicated.

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Growing Closeness Between Tessa and Daniel

Recently, Tessa (Cait Fairbanks) and Daniel have developed a strong bond. Daniel is mourning the loss of his partner Heather (Vail Bloom), while Tessa is on edge, fearing she might lose Mariah at any moment. This emotional overlap has drawn them closer.

During this episode, Mariah tells Tessa she is leaving town to visit a clinic, attempting to process the fact that she almost killed someone. Flashbacks suggest that her attempt involved a pillow in a dark room—a scenario eerily reminiscent of the board game Clue.

Fans have speculated that the intended victim might be the mysterious “old man” Michael Swan character. But as the story unfolds, it seems likely that Mariah’s troubled past is influencing current events in far more sinister ways.

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Mariah’s Traumatic Past

Mariah’s dark history continues to cast a long shadow over her present. Raised in a cult by the manipulative Ian (Ray Wise), she was subjected to abuse and control, including attempts to drug and marry her for financial gain. Ian’s eventual death provided Mariah with relief, but unresolved trauma lingers.

The episode raises the chilling question: what if Mariah’s actions in the past are catching up with her? Ian had previously hypnotized her, manipulating her mind and actions. This could explain her current guilt and confusion.

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Could Mariah Have Killed Heather?

Heather’s death has long haunted Daniel, and the show hints that Mariah’s memory of past events may be clouded by trauma or manipulation. One possibility is that Ian hypnotized Mariah into killing Heather, an act she repressed until recent triggers caused her to remember fragments of the event.

Alternatively, Mariah may have tried to kill Ian, and the act reminded her of Heather’s death. Her inability to fully disclose the truth adds layers to her guilt and anxiety. These events suggest that Mariah’s motivations are tied to both past trauma and present loyalty to Daniel, creating an intricate moral dilemma.

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Emotional Stakes Rise

Mariah’s guilt and secrecy place her in a delicate position with both Tessa and Daniel. Her connection to Daniel is complicated by the unresolved loss of Heather, while her commitment to Tessa remains strong. The tension between protecting her own secrets and maintaining her relationship with Tessa fuels the episode’s emotional intensity.

Meanwhile, Daniel is caught between supporting Tessa and navigating his own grief. He remains unaware of the full extent of Mariah’s turmoil, leaving room for potential heartbreak, confrontation, or shocking revelations in upcoming episodes.

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What’s Next for Mariah?

As the series progresses, viewers are left questioning Mariah’s intentions and the identity of her possible victim. Will she reveal the truth about Heather? Can she reconcile her past actions with her present relationships?

This episode underscores the intricate web of guilt, manipulation, and emotional conflict that defines Mariah’s character. As secrets unravel, the stakes continue to rise, promising gripping drama and unexpected twists in future episodes of The Young and the Restless.