The Next Mrs. Parrish

Daphne carefully plans her escape to coincide with a play that the family is attending at Charterhouse Academy. She has enlisted Meredith’s help, as her friend is on the school board. Meredith has arranged for a key to be hidden under a plant by the locked door of the faculty bathroom. Daphne feels a mix of excitement and fear and knows that she only has a short window to convince her daughters to leave with her. Meredith has also loaned her a car and enough cash to stay at small motels as they escape Bishops Harbor.

When they arrive at the venue, Daphne diverts Jackson’s attention to the concession stand to ensure that she and the girls can slip away during intermission. As they reach the school’s restroom, Daphne unlocks the faculty bathroom with Meredith’s key and tries to convince her daughters to escape through the bathroom window. Both girls eventually follow her lead. As they make their way to Meredith’s car, Daphne is overwhelmed by a sense of relief, but as she starts the car, Jackson blocks her with his black Mercedes SUV and reveals that their escape was caught on camera. He uses this as leverage to accuse Daphne of having delusions. By claiming that Daphne is unwell and needs help, he undermines her credibility in front of the girls.

Jackson convinces Bella and Tallulah to go with Chloe while he takes Daphne away in his SUV. Daphne is forced to comply, and as Jackson drives her away, he warns her that if she exposes him or continues to resist, he will separate her from her daughters and have Daphne committed to a mental health facility. Jackson’s deeply troubles daphne threats but decides that the fight is far from over.

Amber prepares to reveal her takeover of White Orchid Designs at a public event. She is eager to confront Daisy Ann, who will be surprised to learn that Amber is now the majority owner of the company. Amber is disappointed that Hugo, her accomplice, is on parole and cannot accompany her. She believes that his presence would have added to the dramatic effect of the reveal, but she is still determined to make the most of her solo appearance. She wears an eye-catching silver necklace from White Orchid’s new Ottoman Empire Collection, which she views as a symbol of her triumph over Daisy Ann.

As the event progresses, Daisy Ann begins her welcome speech, and Amber uses this opportunity to make a dramatic entrance. Shocked and confused, Daisy Ann immediately notices Amber’s necklace and recognizes the significance of the piece. Amber seizes the moment to declare herself the new majority owner of White Orchid Designs. She also reveals that Daisy Ann’s former partner, Wade Ashford, is corrupt. Amber flaunts her stock certificates, which prove her claim of ownership, and revels in Daisy Ann’s public humiliation. Amber emphasizes her newfound control over the company and forces Daisy Ann to introduce her to the clients.

Daphne grapples with the aftermath of a contentious session with Hannah, the counselor. During the session, Jackson managed to present himself as a supportive husband even as he framed Daphne’s escape attempts as proof of her delusional behavior. Daphne is angry and disheartened when the easily deceived Hannah reassures her that medication will help her manage her supposed delusions. Despite the documentation from Daphne’s regular therapist, Dr. Marshall, and a letter in Daphne’s defense, Hannah insists that Daphne undergo weekly drug tests to prove that she is taking the prescribed medication.

On the drive home, Daphne accuses Jackson of attempting to drug her to maintain control. He downplays Daphne’s fears, attributing them to her supposed mental health condition and labeling her escape attempt as irrational. At Jackson’s mansion, Daphne contemplates ways to counter his manipulative tactics. That evening, Daphne and Jackson have an outwardly pleasant dinner on the deck, but Daphne remains guarded. Jackson describes his recent business ventures and attempts to convince Daphne that he has changed. He acknowledges his past mistakes and insists that their relationship will soon improve.

Daphne carefully navigates the conversation, expressing a need for time and implying that she is willing to work on their relationship, but on her terms. Jackson interprets her comments as signs of progress, but Daphne is merely buying time. As the evening progresses, Daphne remains cautious but hopeful. She and Meredith have devised another escape attempt, and Daphne understands that she must maintain her façade of compliance in the meantime.

Daisy Ann enters the offices of White Orchid Designs. She is growing increasingly anxious about Amber’s recent interference in the company. After her meetings, she barges into Wade's office, catching him off guard, and accuses him of selling his shares without consulting her. Wade defensively justifies his actions by referencing an earlier offer from Valene Mart, which Daisy Ann had declined. He implies that Daisy Ann’s decision was shortsighted and that he is protecting his interests. Indignant, Daisy Ann accuses him of being opportunistic and deceitful. Wade responds with contempt, dismissing Daisy Ann’s values and suggesting that she is out of touch with practical business realities. Daisy Ann storms out of the office.

Jackson confronts Daphne about the texts she exchanged with a man named Sebastian. Daphne tries to placate Jackson, but he furiously accuses her of infidelity and orders her to end her relationship with Sebastian immediately. Jackson leaves for the day and returns later with a bouquet of white roses, which he presents to Daphne with a hint of scorn. The significance of the white roses is unclear to Daphne, but she senses their meaning is far from affectionate.

Jackson announces that he has planned a romantic evening for the two of them, including a moonlight boat ride. Daphne fears for her safety. On the boat, Jackson creates an elaborately uncomfortable setting with champagne and caviar. He becomes increasingly aggressive and tries to force Daphne into physical intimacy, ignoring her protests. Suddenly, he strategically shifts the conversation to a discussion of the topic of drowning in the Long Island Sound, filling Daphne with fear.

Daisy Ann enjoys a moment of respite in the pool at Birdie and Chandler’s home, where the extended Briscoe family has gathered. Birdie approaches her and expresses concern over Daisy Ann’s recent absence from church and work. Birdie insists that Daisy Ann focus on her family rather than letting her work and her personal vendettas consume her.

Daisy Ann defensively asserts that she has every right to pursue justice for her father and manage her career without being judged. Birdie's insistence on traditional gender roles and family responsibilities frustrates her. Later, as the family enjoys a barbecue, Daisy Ann receives a call from Sheriff Frank Campbell of Gunnison County, Colorado. The sheriff informs Daisy Ann that new evidence regarding her father's death has been uncovered. He requests her presence in Gunnison to discuss it further. Shaken, Daisy Ann prepares to go to Gunnison.

Daphne has just proposed having a baby with Jackson to reconcile with him. Her motivation is multifaceted; she wants to regain Jackson's trust, deflect his suspicion about her lack of attraction to him, and manipulate the situation to her advantage. Daphne's new escape plan involves a series of deceptions. She insists that they should wait until she is off her medication before trying to conceive, and she also proposes a romantic weekend to rekindle their relationship. Jackson, intrigued by her willingness to start fresh, agrees. Daphne uses this opportunity to arrange for a night of intimacy, but her true intention is to drug Jackson by mixing crushed pills into his wine.

As the planned romantic evening progresses, Daphne carefully drugs Jackson’s wine, and although he notices an odd taste, he continues to drink it. Daphne tries to maintain her composure as she waits for the drugs to take effect. After dinner, she manipulates him into revealing incriminating details and records their conversation. He confesses to drugging her and orchestrating false accusations against her for custody purposes. Daphne leads Jackson to the bedroom and engages in a role-play scenario. As Jackson becomes increasingly compliant and aroused, Daphne secures him with handcuffs and informs Jackson of her plan to leave him for good. She takes photos of Jackson while he is restrained, intending to use them as evidence. Jackson unsuccessfully tries to break free, but Daphne dismisses his threats and focuses on escaping.

With Jackson restrained, Daphne grabs a packed bag and drives away in his Mercedes. She contacts Meredith, who is waiting for her at the train station with Bella and Tallulah. She then sends Meredith the incriminating recording of Jackson’s confession as a precaution. At the train station, Daphne reassures her daughters and explains the gravity of their situation, emphasizing that Jackson’s behavior was abusive. She addresses Tallulah’s feelings of guilt and Bella’s fears about the future. She also comforts Bella’s anxieties, promising to protect them and explaining that they need to keep moving to escape Jackson. Daphne struggles to maintain a sense of hope amidst the looming danger.

Amber reflects on her recent business dealings and her success at securing 55% of White Orchid’s shares; she has purchased Daisy Ann’s 25% for $4.5 million and Wade’s shares for $6 million. She eagerly anticipates selling the shares to Valene Mart for $18 million, which will net her a substantial profit of $7.5 million. Amber fantasizes about the life of luxury and independence that awaits her. She envisions visiting the Maldives and traveling the world, mingling with the elite. She believes that she will turn her newfound wealth into even greater riches and is determined to cast off the constraints of her past, including any obligations to Jackson.

However, Amber’s euphoria is short-lived. Returning to her hotel suite, she checks the status of her business transactions and is alarmed to see that only Wade’s transfer has been recorded, leaving her with 30% ownership of White Orchid. She angrily calls Jackson for answers, and he reveals that he and Daisy Ann have conspired against Amber from the beginning. The stock certificates that Amber received from Daisy Ann are fake; the $4.5 million that she spent is now gone, stolen by Jackson. He mocks her for being so easily deceived and warns her that her betrayal will not go unpunished. Realizing that she has been outplayed, Amber is overwhelmed by humiliation and rage, but she resolves to find a way to use her 30% ownership to exact revenge on Daisy Ann. She vows to rely only on herself from now on, having learned that trust in others can lead to betrayal.

Daphne, Tallulah, and Bella drive all night to put distance between themselves and Jackson. Daphne still cannot believe that Jackson allowed himself to be handcuffed to the bed as part of a bondage scenario. She feels that that rare moment of submission highlights the complexity of Jackson’s character—a man who seamlessly blends cruelty and kindness when doing so ensures his gratification.

Daphne takes the girls to a nearby pancake house for breakfast. As they wait for their food, Daphne recalls a time when she defied Jackson’s strict diet regime by eating pancakes instead of the fruit he insisted upon: a small act of rebellion that had severe consequences. When they finish their meal, Daphne’s sense of urgency returns as she realizes how vulnerable they are. Suddenly, Daphne receives an Amber Alert on her phone. The alert is for Tallulah and Bella and describes Daphne as mentally unstable and dangerous. Daphne quickly instructs the girls to remain calm as they leave the restaurant. Just as they are about to drive away, the server comes running after them, and Daphne freezes, realizing that their escape plan could be in jeopardy.

Daisy Ann and Mason return to Gunnison to uncover the truth behind her father’s murder. At the sheriff’s office, they meet Sheriff Campbell, who reveals new evidence about her father’s death. He describes the discovery of footage of Jake’s death. The footage shows Daisy Ann’s father walking in the wilderness, accompanied by Amber. Amber suddenly raises a muzzleloader, takes aim, and shoots Jake, who falls lifeless to the ground. The video captures Amber’s cold detachment as she watches Jake die and calmly walks away. This footage, along with the fact that Amber waited nearly an hour to report the incident, is the proof that Daisy Ann needs to confirm that Amber murdered her father. Sheriff Campbell states that an arrest warrant has been issued for Amber, who is currently in Dallas, staying at the Rosewood Mansion.