Beyond the Gates Recap for Wednesday, February 26, 2025: Martin has nightmares, Dani slaps Bill, Laura crashes

Martin was sleeping on the couch, dreaming a nightmare, when Smitty woke him. Smitty told him that he hadn’t been dreaming like that, but lately, they started again. He suggested that Martin had suppressed memories that were coming out in his dreams. Martin offered to move into the guest room if they bothered him so much. Smitty said he was being extreme. They were interrupted by Martin being summoned to the Dupree home.

At his office, Bill’s assistant ran in after hearing Dani take a golf club to his desk. He asked them to help the clients out and shut the door behind them. Once alone, Bill asked Dani if she felt better. She told him she was getting there and slapped him across the face.

Bill asked Dani what she wanted. “Beating you with your own golf club and watching you die a slow death would be fun,” Dani replied. She decided to settle for answers instead. “How dare you move your whore into our community,” Dani said. Bill told her that Hayley was not a whore, and Fairmont Crest was his home for many years.

Dani told Bill that if it wasn’t for her, her money, and her father, he would be nothing but a public servant trying to make his way. Bill told her to get over herself and assured her that without the Duprees, he may have taken longer to get where he was, but he would have made it there regardless. “You didn’t make me. Your father didn’t make me, either. I made myself … and brought you along for the ride,” Bill said calmly.

“I don’t even know who you are anymore. When did you get so much pleasure out of hurting me?” Dani asked Bill. He assured her that it wasn’t the intention, but it was how it turned out. He said he had loved her very much. Bill said it wasn’t about her, it was about what he needed in his life now, and that was Hayley. “It really is that simple: I fell in love with someone else,” Bill told her.

Bill reminded Dani that their marriage was in trouble long before Hayley. Dani said she knew that he was a cheater all along but looked the other way because she loved him and thought he was someone who couldn’t be faithful. She thought putting up with his infidelity was what she needed to do to make him happy and keep the family together. Dani wanted to know why he left her. Bill told her it was his place of business, and he couldn’t have that conversation there. He wished that Dani would accept that sometimes situations and people change and move on. “At least that’s what Hayley and I hope you do,” Bill said. “Never,” Dani seethed.

Dani told Bill that she wished them a lifetime of misery. “If I could put a curse on you, I would. You selfish, heartless bastard,” she added. “One more thing,” Bill said as Dani started to leave, “Slapping me? Whatever, I can take whatever you dish out. But if you ever raise another hand to Hayley?” Dani interrupted him to say he couldn’t hurt her any more than he already had. “Don’t try me,” Bill warned. “I’m not afraid of you,” Dani smirked as she walked out.

In the reception area, Dani stopped when she saw Hayley. She told her she hoped she got an earful of what she was getting. “You know what they say: Past is prologue,” Dani told her. She staunchly walked onto the elevator and glared at Hayley until the doors shut. Once alone, Dani sobbed.

Hayley went into Bill’s office and picked up their picture from the floor. She noted that Bill lost his relationship with Naomi, too, by being with her. Bill said that he would never be sorry for leaving as he was happier with Hayley than he had ever been, and that was no way to live.

At Orphey Gene’s Soul Kitchen, Leslie, Jan, and Mona gossiped about Dani punching Hayley at the country club. They added that Vanessa told them that Dani was throwing mugs prior to that, too. The women discussed how Leslie was grieving someone she loved but recently lost. Mona had to get back to work as she promised Laura that, for once, they would get out of there before seven. She told Leslie she would see her later at choir practice.

At Ted and Nicole’s home office, Ted, Nicole, Kat, and Andre visited. They discussed how to present Nicole’s bio and how to present her when she received an award for her work as a psychiatrist. Andre noted how the family didn’t let him fall when his dad died and thanked them.

Andre recounted how his dad died in a plane crash. He didn’t know who he would have become if the Richardsons hadn’t insisted that he lived with them for the first few months.

Later alone, Andre recounted how he’d been in Bali and was able to do freelance photography with the money he inherited from his parents. Kat revealed that she and Chelsea had big plans, but they were a secret for now. Andre was willing to help them and not tell anyone. When they were back with Ted and Nicole, they all received messages to be at a family meeting at 7pm at the Dupree mansion.

Before leaving, Nicole saw Laura give Mona a bracelet. They talked about work, and Laura mentioned she was planning to go to Maui. Nicole said that was where she met Ted. Nicole had to leave to get to the family meeting and hoped it wasn’t about Bill.

While outside walking, Chelsea confided in Naomi that she wanted to quit working with their mom but wondered where that would leave Dani. Chelsea said that modeling was great, but she wanted something of her own, something that wasn’t under Dani’s control. Naomi totally understood and pointed out that their mom did the same when she was younger than Chelsea.

Chelsea just worried that Dani was fragile and that being her manager was all her mom had. Naomi recalled how they both had to tip-toe around until they could get a read on their mom’s mood when they were growing up. She advised her to stop doing it and cut the cord.

Naomi explained to Chelsea that Dani was dramatic and emotional in a big way and always took it out on whoever was closest. “Since I moved out, that burden has fallen on you, especially since she is so involved in your career,” she added. Naomi knew it wouldn’t be easy but thought Chelsea needed a life of her own. They both received messages to go to their grandparents’ house for a family meeting.

Naomi vented about how Bill took Dani for granted, had affairs, twisted laws, and was disrespectful. She said she loved him but couldn’t forgive him for how he had behaved. But after what he did with Hayley, she didn’t think she had a father anymore.

At Uptown, Vanessa was wearing a scarf and sunglasses when a man slid into her booth. He told her he knew who she was and he was a big fan. As he slid his hand under the table and up her leg, Dani walked in. “Oh good, you’re here, now I won’t have to drink alone,” she exclaimed to Vanessa. Dani paused when she saw the man. “Who’s this? Because it certainly isn’t Doug,” she grimaced.

Vanessa admitted she hired the guy to do a little role-playing. She was “incognito Taylor,” and he was her “biggest fan.” “You’re joking,” Dani said. Vanessa chuckled that she was just kidding and said that “Zeke” was from her office. She pretended to thank him for dropping off keys and dismissed him.

Once alone, Dani told Vanessa about confronting Bill. She said she decided to get Chelsea through her photo shoot the next day and then was going to hop on a plane to Paris. Dani received a text summoning her to the family meeting. She swore if her ex-husband had done one more thing, she couldn’t be held responsible for her actions.

Doug’s passenger door opened, and a man got into the car. “Randy Parker,” Doug said. “Doug McBride,” Randy replied as they shook hands. Doug said not to sweat, he brought what Randy came for and handed him a folded paper. “Then we’re all good,” Randy replied before getting out of the car.

At the Dupree mansion, Vernon found Anita deep in thought while looking out the window. She said she could kill Bill Hamilton with her bare hands for asking them to go to his wedding. Anita said that they had to protect Martin no matter what but feared Dani would pay the cost.

Anita and Vernon hated that they would be hurting Dani. Vernon suggested they call Bill’s bluff, but Anita didn’t want to roll the dice on Martin’s future. Vernon wanted to keep it between them. “We never speak about that night,” Anita said. “With good reason,” Vernon said. He told her he’d do it all again, exactly the same, and Anita agreed.

The family began gathering for the meeting. Dani lectured Chelsea about what she was eating. When Naomi told her to lay off and let Chelsea live, Dani snapped at her. Martin asked Nicole if there was anything he could do to help support his aunt. Nicole said everyone wanted Dani to move on from Bill and suggested that Martin be the voice of validating Dani’s feelings when everyone else was being the voice of reason. Martin understood the mission.

Dani made herself a martini as Anita and Vernon came in. Before Anita could tell everyone why they were there, Dani took over. She announced she was going to Paris the next night but her parents said she had to stay through Friday. Dani said the wedding was on Friday and she was trying to avoid it.

“The Duprees will be attending the wedding, including you, Dani,” Anita announced firmly. “Dammit, Mother. No,” Dani growled. “I’ll ignore the fact that you just cursed at me in my own home,” Anita began. She said that Duprees don’t hide and cower, and if Bill could marry Hayley in their community, then he could do it by looking at their pissed-off faces. Vernon added they’d be inviting the community.

Martin and Naomi pointed out that making Bill uncomfortable seemed like a good wedding gift. Dani was out and grabbed her coat. Vernon stopped her and said that they’d never asked much of her. “I realize this doesn’t make sense to you, but I wouldn’t put it on you without a good reason,” Vernon said. He added he couldn’t tell her the reason but to trust him and do it for him. “I hate this with every fiber of my being,” Dani cried but said if it meant that much to him, then she would be there.

After Dani left, Vernon told Anita that Dani agreed to go but felt betrayed again. “This time, by us,” he said. Anita told him that they would make it right with Dani.

At home, Dani was thinking on the couch when Naomi and Chelsea came in. They decided Bill was behind the request and plotted ways to wreck the wedding. Chelsea and Naomi supported Dani, and they hugged their mom.

When Laura left work, it was dark. She drove down the road as a motorcycle chased her and ran her off the road. Later, Leslie returned home, took off her gloves and motorcycle helmet, and smirked to herself.

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