Here’s Exactly How Hayley Destroyed Dani’s Life — Plus, [Spoiler] Was Her Original Target!
In a fascinating episode, we get past and present scenes — including a slew of recreated flashbacks — explaining exactly how Hayley managed to worm her way between Dani and Bill. Hayley tells Randy that the plans is working and they’ll soon be rid of her hubby, while Naomi and Chelsea reflect on their parents’ marriage over dinner. Bill, too, is thinking about Dani and how he didn’t notice what a jerk, to put it kindly, Mike was. And Andre, newly back from a trip, offers Dani comfort as she’s beating herself up while reflecting on the past.
In newly-created flashbacks, we find out that when Hayley came to town, her original target was Joey Armstrong! Randy, however, knew he couldn’t be fooled and instead pointed her in the direction of Bill. “He is the perfect mark!” said Randy, suggesting she use Naomi as an in. Another flashback lets us see Naomi and Hayley’s first meeting.
Dani Got Hayley Her Job!
Dani opens up to Andre, admitting that on the day of Bill and Hayley’s marriage, she asked her ex to forget the wedding and come back to her. “It was like I’d decided that he hadn’t hurt me enough and I needed more,” she says sadly. We also learn, via flashbacks, that it was Dani who put Bill and Hayley on a collision course by suggesting — actually, insisting — that he hire their daughter’s gal pal!
We then see Hayley asking Bill if her office clothing was inappropriate, making sure he gets a good look. From there, we see Hayley getting closer to Bill, slowly dumping her good girl act and reeling him into her web, leading to their first in-office kiss. In the present, Hayley tells Randy the hardest part was pretending to be guilty.
It all builds to us seeing the moment that first Chelsea and then Dani walk in to find Hayley and Bill in a very, very compromising position. Dani goes off on Hayley, only to be stunned when Bill declares he loves her! Reflecting on that night, Chelsea says she felt as if she saw her mother’s soul leave her body.
In the Final Moments
Naomi admits to Chelsea she’s glad Jacob is home safe again, but she’ll never take him for granted. Bill can’t stop reflecting on Dani begging him to ditch Hayley and come home, but his thoughts are interrupted by Hayley bringing him food. As they’re leaving the office, Bill, clearly still caught up in memories of Dani, isn’t particularly affectionate with Hayley. The look on her face becomes cold, as if she’s newly determined to kill him off. And in Dani’s bedroom, she and Andre snuggle as she forgives herself for that long-ago moment of weakness, saying the reason Hayley’s betrayal hurt so much was that she’d become like family.
