EPISODE 383
Written by: Bre L Drew
March 15, 2026
Last Time on Town and Country
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Samuel and Mala disagreed over his attraction to Jes, while Jai encouraged Mala to reveal the real reason behind her resistance; however, Mala remained hopeful that a relationship between them would never come to fruition.
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At the Covington Group board meeting, Jacques was voted out of his position at the company, while Emma stood firmly by her husband’s side against Daniel and Deirdre.
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Jolene continues waiting for word on whether the commonwealth attorney’s office will indict her for killing her abusive husband, Wade, in self-defense.
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Jacques has continued his affair with Aaliyah even though his marriage to Emma is in a better place than it was last year.
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Tommy decided not only that he wants to be with Tanner, but that he plans to leave Jordan and move to Minnesota when Tanner goes off to veterinary school.
VICTORY COTTAGE
It seems the weather is still uncertain about whether winter still remains or if the early remnants of spring are approaching; however, on this particular morning, a chill lingers in the air despite the sun being out. Inside Victory Cottage, Mala Gupta sits at the table in the kitchen, consuming a slice of toast with avocado and a cup of coffee for breakfast while reflecting on the latest goings-on within her family. Chief among them is her son, Samuel, not taking her word for it and pursuing a romantic relationship with Jes, even though she knows it is not a good thing—especially since her best friend’s daughter is already in a relationship with Antoine Hall. She just hopes nothing comes of it, knowing it will only end in tears.
Not long thereafter, Jes Choudhury enters. The attorney is wearing a black crop blazer with dark slacks, and her hair is styled in her trademark waves past her shoulders as she looks toward the other woman, sensing that more is on her mind.
“Are you in a rush?” Mala asks in her native British accent. “I thought we could have a chat.”
“Why do I have a feeling that this chat is much more than us simply catching up?”
Jes is aware that Mala knows about her growing attraction to her son, despite her seeing someone else.
“You tell me, Jes. Has anything happened that has crossed the line between you and Samuel?” Mala queries more out of necessity than curiosity.
Quickly, Jes thinks back to the kiss they shared months earlier; however, she isn’t going to mention it, knowing it would only cause unnecessary strife.
“No, it hasn’t, Mala, but I don’t see why it would concern you if it did.”
Mala finds herself sipping her coffee, feeling the need to do something before saying something she might not be able to take back.
“But if given the chance, who would you choose to be with—Antoine or my son?”
Jes refuses to play along. “Well, look at the time.” With that, the beautiful attorney excuses herself and makes her way out of the room, exiting through the front door.
Unbeknownst to her, Aaliyah Gupta stands outside the kitchen, having heard the end of the conversation and forming her own thoughts. She then steps inside the kitchen, noticing her mother taking one last bite of food.
“Morning,” the young woman greets while motioning to the cabinet to grab a glass.
“Morning to you, too, Aaliyah. So, how is the job search going?” Mala shoots back.
Since Jacques had been let go from the company, Aaliyah also lost her job as his assistant, meaning she now has to start all over again—something that had been difficult before her mother intervened.
“It’s going,” Aaliyah remarks as she goes to the refrigerator to obtain the plastic container of orange juice, pouring it into the glass. “Even though I liked working at Covington, being an executive assistant at a property development company wasn’t my dream job,” she notes, even if it did allow her to get to know Jacques intimately.
“Well, dream job or not, you don’t want to waste the earned experience you have,” her mother says in a way that sounds more like an insult than a critique.
Aaliyah finds herself losing her taste for the beverage as her mother’s words begin to affect her.
HOME FARM
Sitting at the lavish vanity set in the bedroom suite she shares with her husband, Emma Covington Laurent places various items into the designer purse she will use today. She is already dressed for the day, wearing a blue denim jacket with puffed sleeves and matching jeans with subtle crystal-embellished roses. Her hair is in a ponytail as sunlight peeks through the window of the mansion on her family’s estate.
At the same time, Jacques Laurent exits the en-suite bathroom. He is wearing a button-down shirt and slacks—a more casual look for the usual suit-and-tie wearer. However, he hasn’t felt like dressing that way since the last time he did, when he was voted out of the Covington Group due to his so-called “procuring the wetland instead of putting his hands into his pockets.”
“Well, I thought that we could have breakfast at The Chateau.”
Emma automatically guesses that this invitation has to do with wanting to steer clear of the rest of the family, since they usually have breakfast downstairs.
“How about a rain check?” she says.
Jacques’s presence carries something imposing as he stands behind her.
“If I did not know any better, Emma, it seems you are trying to avoid me.”
He pauses before continuing in French.
“Est-ce que tu me défendais à voix haute devant le conseil, ta mère et ton frère juste comme ça?”
(English: “Were you just defending me aloud to the board and to your mother and brother just because?”)
Presently, Emma stands up, placing the strap of her purse over one shoulder, and goes over to her husband.
“I wouldn’t have defended you in front of my family like that, let alone voted for you to stay. And whenever you decide to make your next career move, I will be standing right beside you.”
Jacques finds himself allowing Emma to embrace him as she opens her arms and wraps them around him.
“But I do have to go now,” she remarks. “I will see you later, okay?”
She then blows him a kiss while heading out, the door shutting behind her.
Jacques cannot help but feel alone, and within seconds, he takes his phone out of his pocket, trying to relieve that feeling.
HOME FARM: GUEST HOUSE
Tommy Covington paces back and forth in the living room of the guest house on his family’s estate, wearing a brown pullover sweater with chinos. A lot is currently going on in his mind. Knowing what lies ahead, he understands that many people will be affected by his choice; however, he also knows that if he doesn’t do it, he will continue to be trapped in a life he doesn’t want, let alone be unable to be with the person he truly wants.
Footsteps soon descend as Jordan Covington comes downstairs wearing a khaki green halter-neck jumpsuit with heel pumps, her blonde hair freshly done courtesy of her hairstylist from the other day.
“Did you hear me?” Jordan calls out to her husband.
“What?” Tommy asks as he mentally returns to reality.
“I said that while you were in the shower, Lillith picked up Jeremy to take him to school. Hey, are you alright?” she asks when she stands across from him with her arms folded across her chest.
“Oh,” he nods.
Tommy knows he can’t do it anymore, realizing this is his opportunity now that their son is out of the house, even though he knows there will be backlash.
“Jordan, remember when I told you we needed to talk?”
The young woman braces herself, knowing it likely has to do with Tanner. She is aware that he and Tanner kissed last year, thanks to the running mouth of her mother, yet she is determined not to let it affect her marriage.
Tommy manages to look at Jordan with quiet resolution.
“It’s time that we end this marriage, Jordan.”
Those words hit her like tranquilizers, leaving Jordan standing there, completely blindsided.
JOJO'S CAFE
The haunting yet enchanting rendition of The Sundays' "Wild Horses" plays over the café’s sound system this morning, while outside the telltale signs of spring become even more evident. A steady number of people occupy the establishment, including Ernest McKnight and Jolene Wood, who sit at a table conversing over coffee.
“Look, I know you’d probably rather be at home, but aren’t you glad I convinced you to get out?” the police chief says to his good friend, who at the moment is going through her own hell of possibly being accused of murder, despite it being self-defense when it came to taking the life of her abusive husband, who held her and her daughter hostage.
“I guess so,” Jolene remarks lowly while taking a sip of her caffeinated beverage.
Part of her can feel the occasional glance from various individuals in her direction. Since Radcliffe is a small town, they’re bound to know who she is. She wishes she were anywhere out of public view, but she realizes Ernest means well.
“I try to do everything I can to keep myself occupied, but every time the phone rings, I can’t help but think it’s Jes with…” She stops herself from saying the inevitable.
Ernest resists the urge to grab her hands to reassure her that everything will be fine, knowing their relationship isn’t quite there.
“Well, whatever happens, you’re not alone,” he tells her.
Meanwhile, over in the lounge area of the café, Tricia Lockhart and Courtney Covington Sullivan are catching up since it’s been a while for the longtime friends to see one another, let alone hear about the latest goings-on in each other’s lives.
“I must say things between Steven and me are in a much better place.”
“Well, at least there is someone I know who can say that.” Courtney remarks, since it has been some time since she has been in a romantic entanglement, let alone a relationship, on top of everything else.
Courtney knows her friend is going through a lot right now, which she hopes will work out, not only for Jolene’s sake, but also for Tricia’s.
Courtney takes a sip of her green tea smoothie before responding further.
“Though I must admit it seems my professional life is far more difficult, though.”
The company had just recently held a board meeting that voted Jacques out, which, in a way, she partly blames herself for, since she is the CEO and had instructed him to procure the deal in Miami in the first place. It was also where the two had subsequently kissed one another—something she decides to keep to herself as she puts her marriage first.
“Well, with that, it makes me glad that I’m not part of the corporate world,” the café manager replies.
Courtney gives her an encouraging look.
“Oh, come on, if given the opportunity, you would excel at it.”
Tricia makes a small shrug with her shoulders that shows she isn’t quite sure about that statement.
“Anyway,” Courtney says, altering the topic of conversation. “How are you holding up?”
Tricia exhales while tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.
“I’m at the point now where I’m trying my best not to scream in public.”
“Well, nobody would blame you if you did,” Courtney empathetically remarks.
“Of all the years of estrangement from my mother, now there’s a chance it can happen permanently,” she relents.
JESMINDER CHOUDHURY AND ASSOCIATES
Elsewhere, on the eighth floor of Covington Tower, situated downtown in her law office, Radcliffe Jes sits behind her desk, catching up on a civil case that’s going to trial next week.
Some time passes when a purposeful knock arrives at her door, though she barely lifts her head from her paperwork.
“Come in,” she says, half paying attention.
It doesn’t take long for Nadine, her assistant, to enter. The founding owner lifts her head, seeing the serious expression on her usually cheery employee’s face.
“What is it?” Jes questions concernedly.
“The commonwealth’s attorney’s office is on line one.”
Knowing how important this is for Jolene, as her fate lies with them, Jes thanks her as Nadine steps back out of the room.
Jes gains her composure before picking up the receiver to take the call, for better or for worse.
THE CLIFFE
Hours before even the service at The Cliffe opens for business, Will Jackson stands behind the bar of the nightclub, taking inventory of newly arrived items that need to be stocked while hip-hop music from his playlist plays from his iPhone on the countertop.
The manager tilts his head and notices the person coming toward him.
“Ma’am, we ain’t open yet,” he tells her.
“Ha, ha, very funny,” she retorts. “It hadn’t been that long since I’ve been here.”
Emma manages to position herself to sit down across from Will on the other side of the bar.
“Well, it has been a minute,” Will replies, not joking this time as the music plays in the background.
As the owner, Emma hasn’t been around the nightclub much recently.
"How are you?” Emma says sarcastically to her ex-lover.
“I’m ai’ight. I heard what happened with yo husband, by the way.”
“So, you heard about him being rewarded with the good citizen award?” she asks sarcastically. “Well, I guess his being voted out by most everyone in your own family from a multi-million-dollar company would be news,” Emma says, less reserved.
Jacques had been accused of having the company acquire an unprofitable wetland in Miami, despite knowing he would never do it, either purposefully or otherwise.
"Look, I ain’t gonna front. I’m not feelin’ sorry for Jacques being outta a job, especially after what went down between y’all when we were together, but I know it’s probably hard on ya.”
“Oh, that’s an understatement,” she remarks. “But uh, I support him, and hopefully he’ll find his next chapter, whatever that will be.”
Will is somewhat impressed at Emma’s stance on this, knowing how impatient she usually is. Then again, it means she does love and care about Jacques, which makes Will unsure whether that makes it better or worse. Although he can tell something deep down is on her mind.
“Will, can I tell you something? And if I do, you cannot tell anyone,” Emma says seriously.
“Cross my heart,” Will replies, making the sign.
“Well, it’s the reason why I haven’t been feeling good lately… I’m pregnant,” she reveals.
The news shocks him, as he never considered Emma wanting children. Nonetheless, it makes him realize he may not have known her as well as he thought when they were together, although he knows that isn’t the big issue right now.
“And how do you feel about that?”
“That’s a good question.”
Then it dawns on him.
“You hadn’t told him yet, have you?”
Emma gives a delicate movement of her head to confirm his suspicion.
“Well, between him cleaning out his office, there hasn’t been much time to tell him, ‘Oh, by the way, you’re going to be a father.’”
By now, Will is pouring the seltzer water from a bottle into a glass and handing it to her.
“Well, whatever you do, I've got yo back. But if you wanna tell him, don’t keep puttin’ it off,” he advises her as he watches her take a small sip of the carbonated water.
MILLER INN: SUITE 330
As Aaliyah steps off the elevator onto the third floor of the Miller Inn, she carefully follows the directions given as she proceeds down the hall until eventually her eyes land on the specific room number. She then stops herself and does her best to straighten herself before she determinedly knocks on the door, hoping she doesn't come off too eager.
Within seconds, the door opens as Jacques pokes from the doorway.
“Hello,” he says charismatically.
“Hi,”
She had received a call from him earlier saying that he wanted to meet here, which she didn’t hesitate to do.
Words aren’t exchanged when the younger woman saunters into the luxurious suite as Jacques closes the barrier between them.
“Nice room,” she compliments while placing her handbag onto the table, hoping she doesn’t sound like an uncultured dork—even though she has traveled much throughout her life due to her parents being from England and because of her mother’s career.
Jacques smirks at her while coming toward her. “It’s not the Ritz, but it’ll do. I used to stay here, actually.”
While at home this morning, he came up with the idea for the two of them to meet here so no one would know about his liaison. Although he is married—and had even shared a kiss with his wife’s niece—what he has with Aaliyah is far more.
“I could never imagine living in a hotel long-term,” she remarks. “Does it ever get lonely?”
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Jacques makes a small movement, as he hadn’t planned on expressing himself to her, but does it anyway. “It does,”
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The two stare at each other as unspoken dialogue hangs between them. Jacques wraps his toned arms around the petite yet well-shaped young woman as she leans in and kisses him, and he reciprocates. The two of them collapse onto the king-size bed as they begin shedding pieces of clothing—shirts, pants, and her bra—as it marks their third time being intimate with one another. However, both find themselves working out their personal tension with one another.
HOME FARM: GUEST HOUSE
Jordan can see the sense of emotion on Tommy's face after he tells her their marriage is over, a mixture of relief and apprehension.
“No,” she says while lifting her hands in defiance.
“Jordan,” he starts. “I know you don’t want to see what is right in front of you, but we never had a marriage worth saving."
We can’t keep living in this limbo because we might kid ourselves into thinking it’s best for Jeremy, but I think it’s better to give him two parents who are happy on their own rather than us together and miserable.”
“I’m not miserable, Tommy,” she says defensively. “And I know if you give us a chance, we can get to that kind of happiness.”
Tommy runs his hands through his hair before responding further.
“That’s the thing—we shouldn’t have to be happy. I married you because I wanted to make up for what my father did to you… But we both deserve better than this.”
Jordan shakes her head while scoffing.
“And what is that? I move out, and we share 50/50 custody of Jeremy?”
Tommy exhales before delivering the next blow.
“Tanner and I are back together,” he tells her. “We’ve been for months.”
That piece of information makes Jordan slowly furious.
“I knew it… " You can’t help yourself when it comes to that frigid bitch!” she exclaims. “But let me tell you something.
You two think you have this epic love story, but she can never give you what you need,” she whispers into his ear.
“Don’t do this, okay?” he warns her. “And Tanner’s no bitch!” he adds. “I love her, and I never stopped. And you should know this—I’m going to leave town with Tanner when she goes off to school. But I promise I will be more than fair when it comes to supporting you and my son.”
“You can’t be serious!” Jordan shouts as tears flood her eyes, and she rushes up the stairs.
The room and the tension feel overwhelming as Tommy stands there, knowing what he has to do. Still, that doesn’t stop him from realizing that what was said—and what he plans to do—will have several repercussions. Yet if this means he will finally have the future he wants, then it had to be done.
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END OF EPISODE
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ON THE NEXT EPISODE OF TOWN AND COUNTRY
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Aaliyah reassures Jacques.
Jolene's fate is revealed.
Tanner seeks the truth.
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