The Next Mrs. Parrish

For the last three years, Daisy Ann has been consumed by an intense hatred for Amber, the woman she believes to have murdered her father. Daisy Ann's love for her father was a driving force in her life. Jake struggled with loneliness after his wife’s death, at least until he met Amber, whom he married quickly. Daisy Ann was horrified by his death shortly afterward and has always been certain that Amber killed him. Jake had been an experienced hunter, and the circumstances of his death were suspicious. After Jake's death, Daisy Ann became obsessed with proving Amber's guilt. She hired a private detective and began her own investigation, and although her husband, Mason, initially supported her, he later threatened to leave if she refused to end her obsessive pursuit. Daisy Ann reluctantly stepped back from her investigation and tried to move on.

Now, however, her chance encounter with Amber has reignited her anger. She learns that Amber has married another wealthy man, Jackson Parrish, who was recently imprisoned and released after committing tax fraud. Against Mason’s pleas, she decides to revisit her father’s ranch in Gunnison, Colorado: the place where he spent his summers and met Amber. At the ranch, Brian, the ranch hand, and Brenda, the housekeeper, both greet her warmly. Daisy Ann shares her plan to continue investigating Amber. Brenda admits to being suspicious of Amber and reveals that Amber even went so far as to copy Daisy Ann’s mother’s peach cobbler recipe to win Jake’s favor. Brenda also mentions a mysterious man connected to Amber whose number she once copied, offering a potential lead.

Daphne takes Tallulah and Bella to a therapy session involving Jackson. Tallulah vehemently opposes the idea of therapy and becomes increasingly defiant. Daphne explains that Tallulah’s defiance and hostility are why therapy is necessary. Tallulah sullenly relents. Upon arrival at the therapist’s office, they are introduced to Hannah, a substitute therapist. Daphne is unsettled by the sudden change but goes along with it. Hannah briefly speaks with Tallulah and Bella before asking them to wait outside so she can speak with their parents alone. Inside the office, Hannah commends Daphne and Jackson for setting aside their differences for the sake of their daughters. However, Daphne quickly makes it clear that she still distrusts Jackson. She recounts the traumatic experiences she endured during their relationship, which included psychological abuse, gaslighting, and Jackson’s mockery of Bella’s learning disability. Hannah, trying to mediate, emphasizes that people are capable of change, which only frustrates Daphne further. Daphne delivers a biting reminder of Jackson’s past cruelty, leaving Hannah shocked and Jackson visibly agitated. Daphne suggests that they bring the children into the session.

Daisy Ann’s investigation intensifies. It is clear that Amber had kept a low profile, and the lack of new information frustrates Daisy Ann. She goes to meet with Tanya, a woman who traveled with Amber from Nebraska. Tanya reveals that she lost touch with Amber after a disagreement with a former mutual friend named Greta. Greta believed that Amber had stolen some of her clothes, but Tanya does not know whether this is true. Tanya is surprised that Amber left a good job at D’Jangos to work at a lesser-paying job at the W, and she also notes that Amber was secretive about her reasons.

Tanya learned of Amber’s marriage only after the shooting incident that claimed Jake’s life. Tanya’s husband, who works for Country Outfitters, remarks that Amber took shooting lessons and was an excellent shot; this fact made him skeptical that the shooting was an accident. Daisy Ann asks for the name of Amber’s shooting instructor. After the conversation with Tanya, Daisy Ann feels exhausted by the necessity of reliving the memories of her father’s death. She resolves never to return to Gunnison, as her childhood home now feels hollow and alien.

Returning to Texas, Daisy Ann meets Derek, her driver. On the way home, she receives a text from Brenda, who provides the phone number of a man who knew Amber. Daisy Ann quickly uses a reverse number lookup to identify the man as Martin from Eustis, Nebraska. To meet him, she poses as a sales representative offering a sweepstakes prize. Despite Martin's initial skepticism, he agrees to meet her at the Pool Hall in Eustis on Friday.

Amber takes solace in the fact that the scandal about her marriage to Jake Crawford has not yet reached Bishops Harbor. She is now preoccupied with exacting revenge on Daisy Ann, so she researches White Orchid Designs and also learns that Daisy Ann worked for her late father’s oil company for years before his death. After he died, Daisy Ann was able to pursue White Orchid full-time. This revelation fills Amber with bitter resentment; she believes that by killing Daisy Ann’s father, she unintentionally freed Daisy Ann to follow her true passion. Instead of being grateful, Daisy Ann has treated Amber with contempt, which only fuels Amber’s desire for revenge.

Amber's investigation leads her to an article in Entrepreneur Magazine featuring Daisy Ann, where she learns that Daisy Ann has resisted offers to sell her company to mass-market chains like Valene Mart. Amber’s thoughts are interrupted by her husband and son. When Jackson mentions that he is taking Jax to meet his half-sisters at Daphne’s, Amber immediately feels threatened. She sees this as part of a larger scheme by Jackson and Daphne to undermine her. As Jackson leaves, Amber’s anger escalates. She views the situation as a battle and resolves to take no prisoners in the coming war; she is determined to protect her position and exact revenge on those who have wronged her.

Daphne attempts to enjoy a day at the beach with Meredith, Bella, and Tallulah, but the afternoon turns tense when Tallulah asks if they can visit the city with Jackson. Daphne insists on maintaining her rule that Jackson’s visits must be supervised. Tallulah angrily argues and accuses Daphne of prioritizing her grievances over Tallulah’s desire to see her father. Tallulah storms off, leaving Daphne troubled. When Jackson arrives with Jax, Daphne is surprised to find herself enjoying the sight of her daughters bonding with the baby. Jackson thanks Daphne for allowing the visit and apologizes for his past behavior, acknowledging his mistakes and his time in prison as a period of reflection. Daphne is taken aback by his apology but remains guarded. When Jackson departs with Jax, Daphne contemplates the sincerity of his apology and remains wary of Jackson’s true motives.

Daisy Ann waits anxiously in a bar and grill to meet Martin, who is half an hour late. When he finally arrives, he is initially suspicious of Daisy Ann's identity and intentions, but she shows him a substantial amount of cash and explains that Amber murdered her father and that she is seeking information on Amber's real identity.

Martin is initially wary, but Daisy Ann convinces him that she is not law enforcement, providing evidence of her father's death and her own identity. Martin admits that Amber’s real name is Lana Crump; he helped her to obtain a new identity. He explains that Lana Crump used a stolen birth certificate to create the false identity of Amber Patterson. Martin also helped her to secure a job. Martin recounts Lana's troubled past, including her false rape accusation against a man named Matthew Lockwood, which led to Lockwood's imprisonment and subsequent injury.

Martin also reveals that Lana had a child with Lockwood, whom she abandoned when she fled due to an outstanding warrant. Martin provides the Lockwoods’ address and mentions the location of the Crump family’s business. Grateful for the information, Daisy Ann leaves with the assurance that she can contact Martin if needed.

The following day, Daisy Ann travels to Blue Springs, Missouri, to confront the Lockwoods. Arriving unannounced at their well-to-do home, Daisy Ann speaks with Mrs. Eugenia Lockwood, who is initially shocked by the revelation of Lana's crimes. Daisy Ann seeks Mrs. Lockwood’s assistance in gathering evidence to prosecute Lana, but Mrs. Lockwood refuses to help because she is protective of her family—especially her son—and fears that any contact with Lana could disrupt their current happiness. Despite Mrs. Lockwood's refusal, Daisy Ann realizes that Mrs. Lockwood's lack of interest in this matter means that Daisy Ann has a better chance of pursuing Amber on her own.

Daphne reflects on her past relationship with Jackson and recognizes that his charm masked deeper issues that led to their separation. As Daphne prepares for another beach day, Jackson arrives with paddle-boarding equipment and drinks. While Jackson takes the girls paddle-boarding, Daphne minds Jax and watches from a distance. She is momentarily lulled into a sense of relaxation and allows herself to briefly close her eyes, but she soon wakes up to chaos. Police officers have arrived, and Amber is suddenly present and holding Jax. Bella and Tallulah are visibly upset. Amber accuses Daphne of being under the influence of alcohol and substances and claims that Daphne’s negligence led to a dangerous situation that required the girls to be rescued by a lifeguard.

Daphne struggles to comprehend what is happening and is confused by the accusations of alcohol and substance misuse. Her memory is foggy, and she cannot understand how she ended up in this state. Jackson takes advantage of the situation and arranges for the girls to be taken into custody by child services. He instructs the police to have Daphne sent to the hospital for a suspected overdose of substances and alcohol. Daphne’s condition worsens, and she feels herself slipping into unconsciousness.

Amber reflects on the success of Jackson’s plan to frame Daphne for negligence; Jackson drugged Daphne to incapacitate her, then orchestrated a dangerous situation with the paddleboard, allowing the girls to drift into deeper waters, necessitating their rescue by a lifeguard. Amber, positioned nearby, played the role of a concerned bystander and reported Daphne’s alleged neglect to the authorities. As a result, Daphne was hospitalized, and the children were taken into custody by child services.

Amber's focus shifts to her ongoing vendetta against Daisy Ann Briscoe. She investigates Daisy Ann’s business connections and finds a link to Wade Ashford, a man whom Amber manipulated Jake Crawford into despising. Amber plans to use this connection to undermine Daisy Ann by exposing Ashford’s alleged character flaws.

Now, Amber prepares a feast to placate Daphne’s daughters and maintain the façade of a caring stepmother. During her private conversation with Jackson, he explains that he has managed to get emergency custody of the girls and will keep them until the investigation is resolved. Amber is surprised at the speed with which Jackson managed this. Jackson assures Amber that Daphne's maternal instincts will drive her to do whatever is necessary to ensure her children’s happiness and safety; he believes that this plan will lead Daphne back to him. A confrontation arises as Amber becomes envious of Daphne despite her lack of genuine affection for Jackson. Jackson dismisses Amber’s anger, and the interaction escalates into a physical altercation.

Daphne awakens in a hospital bed, confused and disoriented. Meredith is by her side and informs her that Jackson must have drugged her. Disoriented, Daphne tries to piece together the events leading to her hospitalization. She remembers the beach and recalls her encounter with the police and the girls being taken away.

Meredith tells Daphne that Jackson has secured emergency custody of the girls. Daphne is frantic and worries how Jackson might use this situation to damage her relationship with her daughters. Meredith reassures Daphne and contacts Dean Manchester, a family law attorney. Hours later, Daphne and Meredith meet Dean Manchester at his office. Daphne relates the details of her troubled marriage with Jackson, the steps she took to remove his parental rights, and the current circumstances leading to her hospitalization. She suspects that Jackson drugged her lemonade, which would explain her sudden incapacitation.

Dean is familiar with Jackson’s legal troubles and reveals that Jackson informed the Department of Children and Families (DCF) about Daphne’s supposed history of postpartum psychosis. Jackson also claimed that Daphne is a danger to her children. This accusation will be investigated, and Dean warns that blaming Jackson for both incidents may not look credible. He outlines the legal process. Once they file an appeal against the temporary custody order, a hearing will be set within 30 days. During this time, they will gather evidence and character witness testimonies. Dean also agrees to contact Daphne’s therapist to support her case.

Meredith suggests transferring custody to Daphne’s mother, who is currently in Peru, but Dean informs them that Jackson has claimed that Daphne’s mother has dementia. Daphne is devastated by the news that Tallulah might have corroborated Jackson’s claim about her mother’s condition. She decides not to involve her mother. Dean acknowledges that Jackson will likely continue his underhanded tactics and urges Daphne to remain composed while he develops a strategy. Daphne is overwhelmed with worry about the potential of losing custody.

Daisy Ann visits Amber’s childhood home, pretending to be a former roommate. At the Crump residence, Daisy Ann is greeted by Florence, a kind and weary woman. Florence expresses her sadness over losing touch with Lana, who left home years ago under troubled circumstances. Florence explains that Lana became pregnant and falsely accused a young man named Matthew of rape when he refused to marry her. This lie led to Matthew’s wrongful imprisonment. Eventually, Lana’s sister, Penny, overheard Lana bragging about her deception. Horrified, Florence reported the truth to the authorities, which resulted in Lana’s arrest for perjury. Lana fled, abandoning her young son, Matty, and has not been heard from since.

Florence shows Daisy Ann a photograph of Matty, who now lives with his father and stepmother, the Lockwoods. Florence laments that she and her other daughters have little contact with Matty due to Eugenia Lockwood’s animosity toward the family. Florence hopes for a future reconciliation with her grandson and even with Lana, though she acknowledges that Lana has no desire to reconnect.

Florence recalls Lana as a bright, fearless, and beautiful child, but also one who always felt out of place and wanted more than her modest upbringing could offer. Florence wonders what she could have done things differently, but Daisy Ann reassures her that some aspects of personality are beyond a parent’s control. Florence also reveals Lana’s claustrophobia, prompting Daisy Ann to consider how this fear might affect Lana/ Amber if she were ever caught and imprisoned. Daisy Ann feels sympathetic toward Florence but is even more resolved in her pursuit of Amber.

It has been three days since Jackson took the girls away, and Daphne has been unable to contact them. Her attorney, Dean, has advised against going to Jackson's house. Meredith does her best to comfort Daphne. Suddenly, Daphne’s phone rings. The caller ID shows Jackson’s name, but when she answers, she hears Bella’s voice. Bella is confused and heartbroken and asks Daphne why she left them. Daphne reassures Bella that she did not leave them and that it is all a misunderstanding. However, Bella reveals that Amber has told her that Daphne no longer loves them. Enraged, Daphne manages to hold herself together to comfort her crying daughter.

Jackson takes the phone, and Daphne accuses him of drugging her and kidnapping their children, but he remains calm and unrepentant. He wants Daphne back in his life, and he believes that he can force her to reconcile with him and rebuild their family. He informs her that Amber is leaving, and he has already cleared the situation with DCF, arranging for Daphne to be permitted to spend time with the children as long as she is supervised. Daphne marvels at Jackson’s audacity and outwardly stalls, telling him that she needs time to think, but Jackson implies that if she hesitates, he might decide the girls are better off without her.