EPISODE 335
Written by Bre L Drew
March 21, 2025
Last Time on Town and Country
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Max, despite his outrage over Shauna hiding her one-night-stand with Antoine and the fact she was carrying his child, stayed by her side when she gave birth to a daughter on the yacht.
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The Saunders and Deirdre were shocked when Emma revealed she knew Jimmy Saunders was her biological father due to Deirdre's affair over 30 years ago, which led to the revelation that Steven and Esther knew the truth, causing Emma to break down emotionally.
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Shauna confided in Martha that she plans to move to South Carolina, divorce Max, and despite still loving him, end their relationship after the baby is born.
LAKE HUDSON
Maybe, perhaps, in another alternate universe, Max Covington is that new expected father, and along with his wife, he’s basking in the joy of having their first-born child.
But in this reality, that dream is shattered when his estranged wife, Shauna, informs him during childbirth that the baby isn’t his—it's Antoine's. She'd had an affair; one he hadn’t known about until just two hours ago. Max had foolishly believed that once he found her after months apart, it wouldn’t take much to fix their broken marriage.
Yet, it turns out, he was the one who got the shock of his life—aboard his own yacht, no less. And that’s why he’s still sitting in his car, parked on Lake Hudson, unsure of what to do next.
As his thoughts stir in a fog of disbelief and hurt, a moment with his father from two years ago replays in his mind. It was a conversation from when Max’s anger was at its peak over his father’s gaslighting of Jordan.
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"Maxmillian, this might not sound like much to you right now. But one day, when you become the head of this family and a father, you will learn there is nothing you will not do to protect them."
"God forbid I'll ever become anything like you."
​
He exhales, roughly unsure of his next move.
RADCLIFFE RECIEVING HOSPITAL
Between her daughter's rejection and the judging eyes of the Saunders family prying upon her, Deirdre Covington retreated into the small hospital chapel, grateful that it was empty as she took a seat in the first pew.
Despite coming here, Deirdre wouldn't consider herself a very religious person anymore. Her faith had been stripped away when she tragically lost her parents in a house fire when she was 17, and ever since then, she had despised hospitals—the doctors and nurses weren't able to save her parents all those years ago.
However, she didn't feel well enough to drive, not to mention she needed to find some semblance of solace about why she came here. She sighs dramatically, staring at the stained-glass window that had been redone in the last five years.
Soon, she heard footsteps approaching. As she hastily turned her head, not wanting anyone to be here, her stance softened when she saw who it was.
"You refused to say what is bothering you over the phone," Daniel Covington remarks softly. The former businessman is dressed in a black blazer, a white button-down dress shirt, and dark slacks. "What is wrong, Mom?"
Deirdre had called her eldest child, needing someone to confide in, though she had mentally questioned whether it was a mistake or not.
Deirdre gave her son a look that Daniel could see was more despondent than her usual, put-together facade. "My past coming back to haunt me."
THE CLIFFE
Relieved that it wasn't near opening hours for The Cliffe, Emma Covington Laurent stands behind the bar of the nightclub she owns, pouring herself a tequila shot as she needs time away to dwell on how, in a matter of weeks, her life had altered due to the fact of her mother's long-ago affair with Jimmy Saunders and her being the result of it.
As Emma takes a hearty sip of the liquor, Will Jackson enters the establishment, wearing a black jacket, a cream sweater, and dark pants.
When he spots Emma, he's surprised to see his former lover here, especially this early behind the bar. He watches as she slaps the shot glass down with a slight irritation.
"What's happenin'?" he asks her, his voice filled with curiosity and concern.
Emma gives a light, amused scoff while glancing at him. "Well, you don't have to worry about keeping that secret anymore. Everyone knows now, not only did I donate bone marrow to Lynn, but also why it was possible."
Will's mind flashes back to when she discovered the truth about her paternity. He recalls how she confided in him, and he advised her to get tested—not for her own sake, but to save Lenny's life, as she’s battling cancer.
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Emma remarks, her voice laced with sarcasm. "And, well, you can see how that went."
Will rubs his chin and exhales deeply, his eyes narrowing slightly in concern. "You alright?"
Emma lets out a sardonic chuckle, her fingers lightly gripping the bottle as she pours herself another splash of liquor. "Why wouldn't I be?" she says, her tone heavy with irony.
Will watches her take another swig of the tequila, his expression softening, a genuine consideration in his eyes.
RADCLIFFE RECIEIVNG HOSPITAL
In a private room on the labor and delivery floor of the hospital, Shauna Covington lies in a light green gown in bed. She had been transported from the yacht after giving birth to her daughter, a moment she still can't fully grasp. She’s a new mother, something she’s wanted for so long. She also still can’t believe Max found her, though their reunion was cut short when she told him that Antoine—not Max—is the father. She had slept with Antoine months before when her marriage with Max was on the rocks.
Her thoughts are interrupted when a plus-size Black nurse in her mid-40s, wearing braids and scrubs, enters the room pushing a pediatric crib with the baby inside.
“All right, Mrs. Covington. This little girl has passed all of her tests.”
“That’s good to hear,” Shauna nods.
“Well, it’s always good when a baby is born healthy,” the nurse says, her tone cheerful. “I’ll let you two get some rest. Trust me, you’re gonna need it.”
Shauna thanks her as the nurse exits. Alone, Shauna’s gaze drifts to her perfectly swaddled daughter and a small smile spread across her face. No matter what happened, she did it all for this little one.
A moment later, Samuel Gupta knocks lightly on the wall. Shauna lifts her head, seeing him.
“Can I come in?” he asks kindly.
Shauna gestures for him to enter. “Yeah, of course.”
He closes the door behind him and walks to Shauna, giving her a gentle kiss on the forehead before turning his attention to the crib. He watches the baby, the same one he helped deliver, having been called by Martha to assist during the birth.
“Samuel, you’re probably wondering why,” Shauna says, her voice hesitant.
He raises his hand in a calming gesture. “Shauna, look—”
But she continues. “I know you’re probably going to take Max’s side, especially after what I did with Antoine,” she says, her eyes searching his for judgment.
Samuel slips his hands into his pockets, taking a deep breath. “I won’t lie, learning about the affair took me by surprise, but as a doctor, I’ve heard hundreds of stories like this. It’s not my place to judge. What matters now is that Max will need time to process all of this.”
Shauna stands from the bed, carefully lifting her baby girl into her arms, needing the comfort of holding someone, anyone.
“I’d better go,” Samuel says softly, his tone filled with concern. “But promise me you won’t make any rash decisions. Not until tomorrow.”
Shauna nods, her voice firm. “I don’t want anyone else to know I’m here, especially Antoine.”
She had originally planned to leave town right after the birth so no one would find out what had happened.
Samuel gives a subtle nod, acknowledging her wishes, before he quietly exits the room.
Shauna looks down at her daughter, lost in thought about what her next move should be.
Deirdre finishes explaining everything to Daniel, who is now sitting beside her in the pew in the quiet hospital chapel. "So that tryst between Jimmy and I is the reason why your sister exists," she concludes, her voice shaky.
Daniel stands up abruptly, his shock evident. His sudden movement makes Deirdre anxious about his reaction.
"Daniel, I know you think what I did to your father all those years ago was a betrayal, and trust me, I deeply regret it, but you have to understand something," she pleads, her eyes searching his face for any sign of compassion.
He remains silent, shaking his head, and she presses on, unable to hold back.
"I'm not excusing what happened, but remember, your father was so focused on taking Covington national, that he barely had any time for me. I was lonely, and Jimmy was there. Despite his flaws, he was there for me. I know it sounds terrible, Daniel. Please, say something. Anything."
Daniel runs a hand through his salt-and-pepper hair, visibly torn. He exhales deeply, the weight of her words sinking in, especially the realization that his first love is the niece of his younger sister. Mom, be honest with me here, okay?" Daniel asks, his voice quieter, though still laced with disbelief. "You didn’t know Jimmy Saunders was Emma's biological father until Esther came to you with the DNA results, right?"
Deirdre fights to maintain her composure. "I swear on your sister's life, I did not know. I did fabricate to Esther that I had a blood test that showed Patrick was Emma's father. But I couldn’t bring myself to actually do it… Maybe, deep down, I knew the truth but never wanted to acknowledge it. Now your sister won’t speak to me, and those holier-than-thou Saunders, who should be grateful Emma donated bone marrow to one of their own, are all looking down on me."
Daniel’s expression softens for a moment, though his words remain measured. "I’m not defending Esther's actions, but can you really blame them? Especially with everything going on with Lenny being ill, Mom?"
The millionaire widow stands, her frustration rising again. "Last time I checked, what happened between us involved two people. And anyway, it’s just one more thing for Esther to despise me over."
"And Jacques knew about this?" Daniel asks, his voice guarded.
Deirdre rolls her eyes, clearly irritated. "Well, he put two and two together before the bomb dropped. But that hasn’t stopped that… charlatan from holding it over my head."
Daniel looks at his mother for a long moment before speaking his tone more resolute. "At least Jacques doesn’t have anything else to hold over you anymore."
Deirdre turns to him, confused. "What do you mean?"
Daniel clears his throat, his words careful but direct. "I mean, now that the truth is out, Jacques can’t use it against you anymore. He has nothing left in his arsenal to manipulate you or this family."
Despite the relief his words bring, Deirdre can’t shake the heavy feeling settling in her chest. She’s not sure how she’ll move forward, or if her relationships can ever truly be the same again.
As the silence between them stretches, Daniel goes to his mother and puts an arm around her, not recalling ever seeing her this distraught.
THE CLIFFE
A concerned look deepens on the nightclub manager's face as he tries to steady the situation. “Emma, chill,” he says, his voice a little firmer.
Emma shakes her head, her expression sharp while pouring another generous amount of tequila into her glass. “Maybe all those years of me being an entitled bitch are finally catching up with me. Karma, right?”
Will’s jaw tightens. He steps forward, his hand reaching out to grab the bottle from her, but she pulls it away, taking another defiant sip. She wipes her mouth with the back of her hand and stares at him. “I’m drinking like my real old man probably did—straight from the bottle. Can’t really blame me, can you?”
Will's careful with his words. "Look you might not be a Covington or don't feel like a Saunders but you’re still you."
She cackles in his face, a bitter laugh that echoes through the room.
“That’s bullshit! she spits, her voice thick with emotion. “I should’ve known. I thought maybe doing the right thing—giving Lynn bone marrow—might have some positive outcome. But no. It all just came back to bite me in the ass, didn’t it?”
Will takes a deep breath, trying to hold his ground. “Lenny’s still got a chance at life because of you. And that means something, even if you don’t see it right now.”
She sneers, waving him off as she knocks back more tequila. “Yeah, sure, whatever,” she mutters, the alcohol starting to settle heavily on her.
Will watches her, frustration bubbling inside him. He knows she's spiraling, and as much as he wants to help, he’s running out of options. Without thinking, he reaches into her purse, grabs her phone, and unlocks it.
He dials a number with determination, turning slightly so he doesn’t lose sight of her.
He waits for the line to pick up, then speaks. “Before you say anything else, it's somethin' you should know."
As the call ends, Will turns to face Emma, her disheveled state reflecting her inner turmoil.
RADCLIFFE RECIEVING HOSPITAL
Though her life had been complicated in recent months, Shauna couldn't help but feel overjoyed holding her sleeping infant, admiring her dark hair and almond-brown complexion. The memory of her miscarriage, caused by her father-in-law’s machinations involving Jordan, made her feel even more grateful for her daughter.
"I will always love you, no matter what," she whispers.
Suddenly, a rapid knock on the door broke the moment.
"Come in," she said softly.
Max enters, surprising her. "I hope I'm not interrupting," he said, awkwardly.
"No," she responds lightly. "Not at all."
"Good," he replies, placing his hands on his hips. "Because we need to discuss things that won't wait."
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END OF EPISODE
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ON THE NEXT EPISODE OF TOWN AND COUNTRY
Issues arise between Steven and Courtney.
Esther is confronted by Louise and Martha.
Max makes his feelings known to Shauna.
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