Mort Chandler seemed to have to push his way into the mansion, and close the door behind him. At this point, all eyes in the rather large home were placed directly on him, and his cocky smile, and the magazine that he had folded in his jacket pocket.

Julian cleared his throat nervously as he stepped up to the tabloid reporter. “I already told you that no one in here is interested in any more of your heart breaking truth’s so if you please....be gone.” He ordered.

“But Mr. Crane, I promise you the paper will shock you.” Mort stated. “In fact, it’s main players are those closest to you right now.” He stated. His eyes tingled evilly as they went around the room before he spoke again. “Rebecca Hotchkiss, her daughter, your first wife, current wife and ex son as well as you. None of you will be the same after this.”

Ivy frowned some. ‘What could Rebecca, Gwen, and Theresa have to do with her and Julian’s son.’ She sighed some. ‘It must be some thing else. But in that case, what?’

Ethan narrowed his eyes some. “Spare me.” He stated. “Every time one of your trashy papers is printed it destroys me.”

“But like I said.” Mort stated. “This one promises to bring a little vindication to you.”

“Vindication?” Gwen questioned. “Of what?”

Mort smiled widely at Gwen. “Are you sure, you want to know?” He asked. “Your life, or your mothers won’t be the same either.”

Gwen looked at him suspiciously, and her body tensed some. She let her eyes drift towards Rebecca who was also eyeing him very cautiously. “What is this paper about?” Rebecca asked some what nervously. “I mean, how does it bring vindication to Ethan? What’s Ethan have to feel vindictive of?”

Mort smirked. “Well it was only a year ago or so that this head line was printed.” From inside his jacket he pulled out a tabloid that read. CRANE SECRET REVEALED: ETHAN CRANE IS SAM BENNETT’S SON.

Ivy narrowed her eyes at the paper. “What is the purpose of bringing that trash into this home?” She asked.

Mort smiled. “Oh believe me, this one is going to be a kicker for you to Ivy.” He stated. “It may make your night.”

“Look, we all know about that tabloid.” Rebecca spoke up. “It’s the one Theresa gave you the information for.”

Theresa turned angrily to Rebecca. “Damn it Rebecca I never sent that e-mail!” She said angrily. “So help me God.”

“Of course she didn’t.” Ethan agreed. “Theresa would never hurt me like that.”

“But that’s just what she did do Ethan.” Ivy stated. “Theresa sent the e mail and not only destroyed your life, but mine as well.” She glared hatefully at Theresa. “Which is the main foundation of my hate for you this day. You played me for a fool. I took you into my home. Gave you a job, went out of my way to support your relationship with Ethan when the whole world, including your family was against it, and how did you repay me? Huh Theresa? Well you took every thing away from me and Ethan, as well as Julian and you destroyed the life of the Bennett’s. No life was left unturned.”

“But it wasn’t me!” Theresa’s plea had turned to desperation. “I swear it wasn’t.”

“Theresa I told you I believe you.” Ethan stated.

“But Ethan your mother refuses to believe me.” Theresa stated. Mort watched all of this with happiness lit in his eyes. “Ethan I know for a fact that if that tabloid had never been printed so much would be different.” Theresa continued. “Your mother and I would not always be in this constant war, and you and I would be together.”

“But we are together Theresa.” Ethan stated. His voice then suddenly dropped. “At least I thought we were. Then you said you wanted to become Mrs. Crane? Why?”

Theresa sighed heavily as she looked back at him. “You made that choice for me Ethan.” She stated. “After what you did with Gwen.”

Ethan looked at her confused. “Gwen?” He questioned.

Gwen quickly tensed and looked at Fox, who was laying back behind Elizabeth, Luis, Sheridan and Kay.

Theresa nodded her head. “Ethan I know about you and Gwen and what happen last night.” She stated. “I went there first thing in the morning, and saw you on the couch.”

Ethan sighed heavily. “Oh God Theresa I am so sorry.” He apologized. “I should have been honest with you.”

Theresa nodded her head as tears brimmed her eyes. “Yes you should have.” She stated. “But at least now I know how you felt every time I lied to you.”

“Theresa I just didn’t want to upset you.” Ethan stated. “I told you I slept at a friends because I knew you would be uncomfortable sleeping at Gwen’s.”

Theresa looked at him in shock. “Ethan it wasn’t that you were sleeping at Gwen’s it’s what you were doing with her.”

A mount of gasps went around the room. “Oh my God, Gwen you never told me you and Ethan got it on.” Rebecca said looking t o her daughter in shock, but approval.

“WHAT?!” Ethan asked shock. “Wait Theresa is that what you think?” He asked. “That Gwen ands I had been together.”

“I didn’t have to think it Ethan I saw you half naked on the couch.” Theresa stated. “And Gwen was more than happy to tell me what happen between the two of you last night.”

Ethan looked back at Gwen shocked. “Wait Gwen you told Theresa we slept with each other?” He asked angrily. “Why the hell would you do that?”

Gwen felt like a dear caught in the head lines. “Well I.....I just.....”

“Gwen, answer me.” Ethan ordered. “Did you tell Theresa we had slept together?” He asked.

“No.” Gwen answered. “I never told Theresa that I had slept with you.”

Ethan looked back at Theresa. “Well, Theresa what are you talking about.”

“Ethan, she played me.” Theresa said reality dawning on her. “She knew that I was thinking, but she never tried to correct me.”

“Knew what you were thinking, please?” Gwen acted innocent. “I am not a mind reader Theresa.”

“No you are a natural born liar.” Theresa snapped.

Rebecca gasped. “How dare you insult my daughter.”

“That’s right every one knows you are the lair around here Theresa.” Ivy stated.

Mort laughed. “My, my, my they are certainly all against you aren’t they little Ms. Theresa?” He asked.

Theresa turned and looked at him in disgust. “Yes, and it’s all because of you.” She stated.

Mort nodded his head. “Yes I did, but Like I said this is a day of vindication.” He stated. “Not just for Ethan, but for you as well.”

“For me?” Theresa asked. “What are you talking about?” She questioned confused.

“”I have a surprise for you Ms. Lopez Fitzgerald.” Mort said as his hands fell to the tabloid that was wrapped up in his pocket and pulled it out. “It’s tomorrow’s edition. I think it will shock.”

Theresa wanted to say she was not interested, but for some reason she had a feeling, it was pushing her. She wanted to know. And she was not the one keeping secrets this time either, so what had she to fear.

“What?” Theresa asked coldly. “What could be in your trash rag about me?” She asked.

“Only your salvation.” Mort answered as he took the tabloid from his pocket, and let it un roll. “Here it is.” And then he showed the cover.

It seemed that the gasps and faces of shock all happened at once because a swoon of them encircled the room. There was no second guessing what the words said as big as they were written on that paper. Everyone’s face was covered on it, and the pictures were of terrible incidents that ruined many lives.

“My God,” Ivy was the first one to speak in a breath of shock. “It....it can’t be.”

The words sang out at the crowd. At the top a picture of Ethan, Gwen and Theresa. Ethan and Theresa at their wedding, and Ethan and Gwen at some party in which they were both very nicely dressed. On the side was a picture of Rebecca standing alone, and at the bottom, but the biggest picture, being of Ivy, and Julian at Ethan’s engagement party for Theresa. It’s one of them arguing.

Rebecca’s eyes were as big as saucers as she read the words. The next sound came from her direction, in which her wine glass spilt from her hand and went shattering to the floor.

Gwen’s hand, trembling found it’s way to her stomach, and immediately she felt dizzy. Trying to steady herself she placed a hand on the wall for support.

Theresa stood there. Half in shock. Half in quiet celebration. Stepping forward she retrieved the tabloid from Mart's hand and then turned back to face the others. “Well,” She said, a small smile playing on her lips as her eyes landed with Rebecca’s. “What do you think of this.”

Rebecca managed to come from her trance as Theresa called her out. “Well....I....I have no idea what.....”

“Oh if you need more proof.” Mort suddenly spoke up and pulled a tape recorder out his pocket.

Rebecca shook her head, her body shaking. “No!” She screamed at him.

Yet without hesitation, Mort hit the play button and two voices quickly filled their ears. “Mother I feel uneasy about this.” Gwen’s voice was first. “I mean, how can we be sure that this plan for me to get Ethan back will work.” “Well it will.” Rebecca’s voice came next. “Have I ever been wrong?” She asked. “Yes, you have.” Gwen again. “Like when you said us sending the email to the tabloid proving that Ethan was Sam’s son would destroy Ivy and make you Mrs. Crane, that didn’t work. Nor did it work when you said us sending the email from Theresa’s computer would make Ethan think it was her, and he would come back to me, and hate her forever. Lets face it, every thing we have planned has failed.” “Well not this one.” Rebecca went on. “This one is full proof.” Mort hit stop.

Silence. All around the entire room, stunned silence. Ethan, his face a mixture of disbelief and rising disgust, turned his head to Gwen. “You?” He asked. “You all this time.”

Gwen, still gripping her stomach, looked up at Ethan with tear shimmering in her eyes. “Ethan I.....” She sighed heavily. She knew her fate. There was no lie to save her from this no. No running, and escaping this time. “Yes.” She said with a heavy sigh. “It was me.”

Before anyone else could respond, they were quickly cut off by a raging scream. “YOU BITCH!” Every one’s eyes turned to Ivy who had put her wheel chair in wrap speed and went flying directly at one person.

“AHHHHHH!” Rebecca’s fright full scream filled the room as Ivy’s wheel chair connected with her legs and brought her down to the floor.

“You loathsome bitch!” Ivy cursed her looking down at Rebecca who was trapped under her wheel chair. “I can’t believe you! I stood side by side with you trying to get rid of Theresa while you fed me those lies about her ruining Ethan’s life as well as mine and trying to steal Ethan away when all the while you and your daughter were the ones plotting and scheming and stealing things that weren’t yours LIKE MY HOUSE!” She screamed angrily as she rolled over Rebecca’s leg.

“Ahhhhhhhhhhhh!” Rebecca screamed again. “Will some one call this mad woman off.”

Sam quickly came rushing up. “Ivy, please that’s enough you’ll over exert yourself!” He stated pulling the wheel chair back.

“I don’t care about that!” Ivy raged. She looked back at Rebecca. “He won’t be able to hold me forever.” She said watching as Rebecca climbed her way up. “And when I do get out I am going to KILL YOU!”

Rebecca looked at Ivy ion shock but said nothing, instead her eyes fell on the true object of her rage Mort. “You bastard!” She screamed at his smiling face angrily she attacked him delivering punches and scratching and slapping him. It took Sam, and then Julian to pull her off, and they barely managed without her slipping out to get him again. “I’ll get you for this!” Rebecca screamed at Mort. “I swear to God I will destroy that weak little magazine stand of yours!”

“What’s the matter Becky?” Theresa spoke suddenly. “Not as much fun when your on the receiving end is it?” She asked her eyes narrowed hatefully. “I always knew that you and your bitch daughter had some thing to do with my down fall, and now I have been proven right! It was you who destroyed Ethan, and cost him the Crane name. It was you who purposely set out to ruin Ivy and get her evicted from the mansion, and you just loved feeding her those lies about me knowing it would only make her hate me more for a crime I didn’t even commit!”

Ethan looked back to Gwen in utter shock. He tried to find words, but he just stood their gawking at her with a look of disbelief and disdain. Gwen averted her eyes for a second as Ethan’s fell on hers. This could not be happening is all she could think. Not when she was so close to victory. Not when she was so close to having it all.

“Aren’t you going to say some thing Gwen?” Theresa suddenly called her out. “Our has the cat gotten quite a grip on your lying tongue.”

Gwen looked up hatefully at Theresa. “You miserable loathsome bitch!” She cursed her.

“Don’t you EVER talk that way about her again!” Ethan finally spoke up angrily looking directly at Gwen. “The only people in this room that are loathsome are you and your mother.”

Gwen took in a deep breath as her tears began to fall from her eyes. “Ethan, please understand.” She said gripping the wall. “It was an accident I didn’t mean to.”

“An accident?” Ethan asked angrily finally finding the words. “What, you trip and fell onto Theresa’s computer and accidentally sent the tabloid that destroyed my life!”

Gwen shook her head. “It wasn’t like that!” She stated. “Ethan I would never intentionally hurt you! I was under the impression that it was only temporary that you would get back every thing you lost! Ethan if I had known how things would have really turned out I would have never.....”

“You would have never what?”! Ethan asked. “Deliberately lied to me?! Purposely set out to ruin every thing I believed in?” His face took on a disgusted look. “I would never do any thing like that to you Gwen! I thought we were friends?!”

Gwen suddenly became defensive. “Never do any thing like that to me?” She echoed Ethan’s words. “So what, you think just up and leaving me the night before I was to be married was just peaches and creme?” She asked. “Did you think that was some thing any one could just bounce back from!”

“The situations are completely different Gwen and you know it!” Ethan yelled.

Gwen nodded her head. “Yes, they are very different!” She stated. “I know that sending the tabloid to the reporter was wrong but I had planned to make it up to you by giving you back what you lost. You on the other hand knew that once you dumped me you would just wallow off in happiness with Theresa!”

Ethan shook his head. “I would never do that!”

“But it’s exactly what you did!” Gwen yelled at him. “And then, when Theresa lied to you who was there to pick up the pieces? Who helped you?! Me Ethan. Even though you had did the same thing to me more than once I was there for you trying to support you, trying to be a good friend even though I knew that at any moment you could up and decide to abandon me again!” She wiped angrily at her tears ignoring the shocked looks she was getting. “Yes Ethan, I may have been wrong in my actions, but at least I considered trying to make things better for you but you never bothered to do that with me. All I was to you was sex when you weren't’ with Theresa. When you couldn’t put your pride aside to got and forgive her. I was so desperate to get you to see me, to notice me to take some kind of interest in me that I let myself be nothing more than your whore. A woman you could bed, then dump when you felt it was okay because every one makes you feel the world revolves around you.” She shook her head in disgust. “Now is that what friends do to each other? I don't think so! But you have your head so far up your ass because people like your mother and your precious always innocent Theresa make you think that your God’s gift or some thing. Well news flash Ethan, your not all that.” She took a deep breath trying to calm herself. “You know they say fool me once shame on you. Fool me twice shame on me. Well yes, shame on me for what I did, it was a terrible, awful, horrible thing to do to some one, and you know what else I could blame you for making me feel like you wanted me then dumping me when you felt it was alright, but un like the other women in your life, I don’t want to give you credit for every thing I do! Now I am not Theresa Ethan, I have apologized for what I did, and I have done it more than once. But that’s where it stops. I’m not begging, and I am not pleading, I’m sorry if you can’t except for once, that you won’t be made to feel like the world will end if you are a little miserable. You know I think in fact that some one gave you this hard dose of reality. I know I needed it to.” Letting go of the wall, she walked back into the living room, and reappeared seconds later her purse in hand.

Ethan watched her, not really sure what he was feeling. “Where are you going?” He asked.

“Back to New York!” Gwen stated. “It was stupid of me to come back in the first place.” With t hat she walked past her mother and every one else, and left the Crane Mansion leaving a stunned audience.

Theresa stepped closer to Ethan, and placed her hand on his shoulder. “Are you alright?” She asked.

Ethan looked to Theresa, and took her hand. “I need to go.” He stated. “I need to be by myself.” With that, he released her hand and exited the mansion door just as Gwen did.