Beyond the Gates Recap Dec 23: Anita tells Vernon she has cancer, Nicole and Dani grapple with news of an affair

In the Beyond the Gates recap for Tuesday, December 23, 2025, Vernon reacts to Anita’s cancer diagnosis, Nicole tells of Ted, then shares Vernon’s affair with Dani, and Donnell surprises his mom and Joey.

Beyond the Gates Recap

At her place, Nicole laughed in Ted’s face when he told her that Vernon was having an affair with Sharon. Ted explained the details he knew, and that the person who told him had confronted Vernon. Nicole called Ted sketchy for not revealing the messenger and demanded to know who it was, so he told her.

Nicole was infuriated when she realized it was Leslie, and accused her of making up the story to hurt her. She called Dana unhinged and a textbook sociopath, and still playing a long game. Nicole went off on Ted for being part of it and said that her father was a better man than he could be. Ted said he just thought she should know and left.

Nicole went to Dani’s and asked her if she thought Vernon would ever cheat on Anita. Andre made himself scarce so they could talk. Nicole recounted her conversation with Ted, causing Dani to burst out laughing when she said their daddy was sleeping with Sharon Winger.

Nicole said that she saw Anita a few days prior, and something was off, and Dani added that she found the same with Vernon. They decided they could call and find out, but Vernon didn’t answer. Dani wanted to rush over and confront Vernon but Nicole pointed out that if they were wrong, he’d be so disappointed in them.

Anita had Vernon sit with her on the couch in their living room and told him she had a doctor’s appointment today, but not for a hearing test. “Vernon, my love, I’ve been diagnosed with breast cancer,” she said.

Anita explained what was happening, and Vernon realized she had been dealing with all of it alone. Vernon was upset and wondered if she thought he was too weak to handle the biggest battle of her life. Anita explained she kept praying it was a false alarm.

“I vowed to protect you in sickness and in health, not just when you decide,” Vernon snapped. Anita apologized for not knowing how to do cancer. Vernon said he was sorry she had to be there alone when she was told, without her partner. “I am terrified at the thought of losing you,” Vernon cried. He told her that it wasn’t her battle to fight alone, it was theirs.

When Dani called, Anita asked him to let it go to voicemail as she wasn’t ready to tell the girls. Later, Anita saw Vernon sobbing over her photo. She stood in the foyer and cried.

At home, Hayley spiked Bill’s whiskey before handing it to him. She suggested they start a new tradition and not open their gifts until they get to St. Barts. Bill made a face, which immediately darkened Hayley’s mood.

Bill told Hayley that the deal had fallen through, but they would hunt for a vacation home after the holidays. Hayley reminded him that the Duprees were no longer his family and she didn’t want to feel shunned over the holidays.

Bill enraged his wife by telling her that she should’ve known there’d be fallout when she pursued her best friend’s father. After feeling blamed for being the pursuer in their affair, Hayley told him she was giving him a taste of what it’s like to miss her, grabbed her coat, and stormed out.

At the country club, Vanessa and Joey were talking when Donnell came in and surprised them. He said he was just picking up his ski gear and thought he’d say hello. He joined them at the table and gave them an update about how he was doing in school. Vanessa asked about his sister.

Joey left so they could have a FaceTime call with Deanna. After the call, Vanessa noted her daughter looked good, but Donnell said she was more upset than she let on, but he checked in on her every day. Vanessa was proud of how much Donnell had stepped up for his sister.

Donnell had questions about Vanessa and Doug’s marriage. He told her that he realized Joey was more than a friend and just wanted her to be happy. He said no one expected her to be alone and not move on with her life, and he wanted someone put a smile on her face.

In the lobby of the country club, Hayley was furious when she couldn’t get a room. Joey sat next to her and asked about Bill. Hayley wasn’t in the mood to talk to him until Joey asked about Bill being a politician and how it could benefit her.

Joey pictured it for Hayley, how, as the wife of a politician, she’d be calling the shots socially. All the women who’d cut her down at the club would see her with powerful people in Vanity Fair. Hayley got a text from Bill asking her to come home as he didn’t feel well.

Ted went to Orphey Gene’s and ran into Shanice. They chatted, and he revealed he would be alone for Christmas. Andre came in, as Shanice offered for Ted to join her family if he wanted for the holiday. After Shanice left, Andre asked what that was. “Nothing to look into,” Ted insisted. Andre gave Ted tickets to a game, and he was happy to carry on their tradition with him.

Hayley got home and found Bill doing fine, he said he just said it to make her come home. He gave her something no one else had seen, a drawing he’d made with his mom to be a good person. He said that it was to create a share, care, and wish. This year, he wanted his wish to be that Hayley knew she aws the only woman in his life. 

Hayley said it was beautiful, but couldn’t shake the feeling she was getting his leftovers. Bill said he’d never shared the list with her, and there were a lot of things about his parents that he never discussed.