It's late afternoon, and Doctor MacDonald is in Kane Garrett's hospital room at Alexandria Memorial. With them are Paul Harper and Ingrid Grimes.
Doctor: You've recovered very nicely Mr. Garrett, so I'm going to release you, but you must stay in bed for a few more days.
Paul: Dad, isn't that great?
Kane: Yes, but I'm going to have to call Phil in Cincinatti and tell him to hold the fort down for a little while longer.
Ingrid: Thank you for everything Doctor. I'm going to tell everyone they can begin to get ready to go home. (She squeezes Kane's hand and leaves the room).
Doctor: Well, I have other patients to see. Have a nice recovery. (He leaves)
Kane: Paul, will you help me get dressed? (Notices Paul's frown) Paul, are you okay?
Paul: There's something I have to do before I leave. I have to confront Joanna.
Lieutenant Russell Gault is in the psych ward, along with Chief Mario Hernandez and another officer. They are preparing to take Joanna Harper and Quentin Michaels into custody.
Russell: You're coming back to Breckenridge to face your crimes. A hearing will be held to determine if you're both competent enough to stand trial. After that, Chief Hernandez will take you, Quentin, to Bel Air to face the charge of murdering Lora Del Rio. (He and Mario come forward to remove their restraints, and as they begin doing so, Paul enters).
Paul: Russell, Mario, before you do that, I would like to speak to Joanna in private.
Russell: Can we take Quentin away?
Paul: Fine by me. (Russell, Mario, and the other officer take Quentin out of the room. As they leave, Paul and Quentin exchange glares. Paul then sits down by Joanna).
Paul: I think you know why I'm here.
Meanwhile, Eliza Braxton and Deanna Thorpe are back home. They left the hospital in the morning, and are having an early dinner at Elaine's.
Deanna: Mom, I'm going to to the ladies' room to freshen my makeup. Be right back. (She leaves)
(Just then, the same woman that ran away from Cordelia Burnham at the Grimes mansion walks through the door. She is seated at a table by the window. She looks lost and alone. Eliza notices her troubled look, and walks over to her).
Eliza: Is anything wrong?
Woman: Huh?
Eliza: I'm sorry, it's just that you look so sad, and I couldn't help noticing. (She holds out her hand) I'm Eliza Braxton.
Woman (shaking her hand): I'm Valerie. Valerie Talbot. Wait, I've seen your picture on a bus. You're the TV reporter.
Eliza (laughing): That's right.
(Deanna comes out of the ladies' room and spots her mom talking to Valerie).
Deanna: Mom!
Eliza: Oh Deanna, I'd like you to meet someone. Valerie, this is my daughter Deanna. Deanna, this is Valerie Talbot.
Deanna: How do you do.
Valerie: Hello. You're as pretty as your mother.
Deanna: Thanks. Mom, I'm going to head home. Larry said he'd call me later. (Kisses her mom on the cheek) Don't worry, I'll take the bus. Very nice meeting you Valerie. Bye Mom.
Eliza: Bye dear. (Deanna leaves) (To Valerie) Do you have any children?
Valerie: I have two teenage girls and a----and a son. He's older. From a----from a previous relationship. (Looks away)
Eliza: It's okay. If you don't want to talk about it----
Valerie: No, it's okay. I was forced to give my son up for adoption. I'm back here to see him for the first time. My husband and daughters came with me. We're staying at the Plumtree Inn. (Pause) Eliza, you're a reporter. You've interviewed the prominent citizens of this town?
Eliza: Well, yes. Does this----does this have anything to do with your son?
Valerie: As a matter of fact, yes. I guess I can tell you, being a reporter, you have discretion. My son was adopted by Joanna and Zachary Harper. His father is the brother of Ingrid Grimes.
Eliza (extremely shocked): No, no it can't be! Valerie, I just came from Alexandria---Ingrid's brother is at the hospital there. Paul Harper was there. Oh God. Paul is your son?
Valerie: Yes. He is.
Back at Alexandria Memorial, Paul is finally fully confronting Joanna about her sinister actions.
Paul: So. This is where it finally ends, doesn't it? You're finally going to pay for all the hell you've caused me, and Tess, my father, and our families.
Joanna: Paul, please listen to me----
Paul: No! You listen! My father----my real father----a man who was forced to give me up, who never stopped loving me, who never forgot me, who acutally came to see me---almost died last night. Because of you! You and your sick obsession to control my life. Then you almost killed an innocent police officer. (Sighs) I know about your mental illness. Dad told me about your mother Audra, Zachary's affair, it drove you over the edge. But still, there was no reason to hurt me or Stephen or Tess or anyone else! And no reason to bring that psycho Quentin into our lives too.
Joanna: I did it because I love you. I know it's hard to believe, but it's true! That's the only reason, and nothing else. Stephen wanted to leave. Zachary wanted to leave. Then you wanted to leave. I didn't want to be alone----like Mama. I couldn't bear it! Paul, you have to understand, you have to....(Begins to sob uncontrollably)
Paul: I'm sorry, but I can't understand. And I never will. (Russell and Mario return)
Russell: Paul? You okay?
Paul: I'm fine. I'm done. (To Joanna) Goodbye, Joanna. Our relationship is now over. I hope to God you own up to what you've done. Russell, Mario, I'm going to help my dad get dressed. He's being released. (He leaves)
Russell: Alright Joanna, it's time to go. Quentin and Officer Shipley are waiting.....
Click here for the conclusion of Episode 26