The Young and the Restless Recap July 21: Traci Arranges To Meet Martin, Nick Tries To Force Matt and Phyllis Apart

TL;DR: In today’s The Young and the Restless recap for Tuesday, July 21, 2026, Diane reveals what Markham put her through, Traci comes up with a plan to reach Martin, Phyllis kisses Matt, and Nick’s fears are realized when he catches them together.

The Young and the Restless Recap July 21

Diane brought Jack home from the hospital and got him settled in as Kyle came in. He shocked his parents by saying he visited Patty. Jack reminded Kyle that when he thought he could play Patty, he ended up with a knife in his stomach.

Diane made it clear that they wanted him far from Patty. Kyle was adamant that he wanted to get Victor and thought he might get her time served in a psychiatric hospital instead of a prison if she helped.

Diane reminded Kyle that Patty wormed her way out of such a hospital and stabbed his father. She said if he wanted to help them, find Markham. “Because that man is just as dangerous as Patty,” she added.

Jack wanted to know what Markham put Diane through, so she explained how he’d locked her in and given her “therapy.” Diane explained how she played along while plotting her escape.

Jack noted that before Patty came into his life, he had a respected professional life. Diane said that Markham could deny any involvement with Patty, except that Kyle and Diane were eyewitnesses. She feared he would want to do something about that.

Diane’s Plan Becomes Traci’s

Kyle thought that Patty had already turned on Markham, and the police had their statements. Diane said a normal person could think that way, but Markham thinks he’s the smartest man in the room and his opinion is the only one that matters to him.

Kyle said he’d send Harrison to see Summer while Markham was on the loose. Diane insisted he wasn’t a man who would go away quietly.

Diane told them that she found a collection of books by Alan Laurent — some were even signed — but she guessed it was actually Martin that Markham thought was Alan. She explained that Markham was on the board of the facility that Ashley was at; they went to some conventions together, and they even co-wrote a paper on Narcissistic Personality Disorder.

As Diane said she needed to visit Martin in jail, Traci walked in. Diane explained what her idea was and why she needed to talk to Martin. Traci told Diane that Martin would never talk to her. “But he might talk to me,” Diane said.

Although Jack and Diane balked, Traci insisted that she thought it was their best chance to get information from Martin. Additionally, she insisted on it because it would restore to her the power he had taken away.

Traci Comes Up With a New Plan

When Jack went to call Det. Burrow to make visitation arrangements, and Kyle went out, Traci told Diane she thought of an angle to get information out of Martin.

Traci admitted that Martin had been writing to her for quite a while now. She said the letters were full of regret, but the part about killing Alan might only be the genuine part. She thought if they used that to get to him, he might tell her where Markham is, if he knew. Just then, Jack came in and told them that Burrow was setting up a video call.

Phyllis Surprises Matt

AT GCAC, Matt asked Phyllis if she was going to knock him out and tie him up to keep him from leaving town. “If that’s what it takes,” she quipped. Phyllis told Matt that running away wasn’t the answer.

Matt explained that no matter what he did, he would never be accepted in Genoa City. Phyllis suddenly jumped out of her seat, leaned over and kissed him. Behind them, Nick watched in horror from the lobby.

Phyllis pulled back and said, “You are welcome.” “Is this your invitation to stay?” Matt asked. He said it was better than a knock on the head, so she asked if he was holding a grudge. Matt told her they had talked about having a connection, but that was before she hit him, and now she wondered where things stood.

Nick Confronts Phyllis and Matt

Before Phyllis could answer, Nick rushed over and demanded to know why she thought “this psycho” deserved a kiss goodbye. Phyllis told him it was none of his business and to leave, but Nick called her clueless and ripped into both of them.

Phyllis reminded Nick that Matt saved his life. He didn’t know why, since he’d tried to take it so many times. Matt told Nick he’d tried to talk to him about that many times, but he wasn’t interested.

Nick was seething when he told Matt to get out of town immediately, not to say goodbye to Phyllis first, and to never come back. Phyllis told Nick that Matt had changed and to mind his own business.

Matt chimed in, saying that no one was asking him to forget the past, and all he could do was ask for forgiveness. He reminded Nick he already told him he was leaving town — but didn’t appreciate him and a security team showing up to try to force him to leave immediately.

Phyllis told Matt that it wasn’t up to the Newmans who stayed and went in Genoa City. “It’s not the Wild West,” she told them. To prove what she said, she told Matt to come with her for a private conversation.

Victoria Questions Nick

Nick sat down and looked distressed when Victoria came in. They talked about Nikki and how they were worried her bandages might come off and what would happen. Victoria noted that Nikki wouldn’t have Victor with her this time.

“What if it’s bad news and she thinks it’s a good idea to have a drink?” Victoria asked. Nick was sure that she wouldn’t. Victoria wanted to know what else was stressing Nick out.

Nick told Victoria that Phyllis and Matt were making out like a couple of teenagers. Nick didn’t want to take Victoria’s advice and cancel Phyllis out of his life, so Victoria asked him if he still had feelings for her and was jealous.

Nick insisted he was not, but decided to go. As he walked out, Kyle walked in. He agreed to join Victoria if they promised not to talk about their families.

“Well, this is interesting,” Kyle said over drinks. He pointed out that without talking about their families, they had nothing to talk about. When they couldn’t think of a topic, Kyle suggested they share something they’d never told anyone. Victoria shared that she wore Jabot’s signature foundation. “What deep dark secret would you like to share with me?” Victoria teased.

Phyllis and Matt Grow Closer

Upstairs, Phyllis took Matt to her suite. He was still questioning her motives, so Phyllis told him that she had many regrets about her past actions but, like him, she was seeking forgiveness.

Phyllis pointed out that he had no money and nowhere to go. He noted that Victor wasn’t happy about his decision, so Phyllis asked what he said. “Threat. Threat. Threat. Prison. Threat. Threat. Threat. Worse than prison,” Matt said with a shrug.

Phyllis said to forget what she said earlier about ignoring the Newmans. She thought that if Victor threatened prison, he could make it happen. Matt wondered if she was using Victor as an excuse to make him stay, like kissing him.

Phyllis said that the kiss was genuine; she thought they were two peas in a bad pod, and knew what it was like to want to run from your baggage but you can’t. “So you’re asking what I want. I want company,” she said.

After a little more hesitation and banter, Matt grabbed Phyllis and kissed her. Before long, they were undressing one another. But before it went too far, Nick started pounding on the door and telling her to open up.

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