The storm is far from over in The Young and the Restless as a shadow from the past resurfaces,

shaking Phyllis Abbott to her core. Haunted by visions of Alan Martin—now revealed to be the deranged

Martin Grayson—Phyllis finds herself slipping into a state of paranoia. Every creaking door, every flicker of light becomes a reminder of the man she fears most. She’s kept her fear hidden from Sharon, unwilling to drag her into a psychological nightmare. But the one person she does trust is Nick Newman.

Nick, always the protector, digs deep into security tapes and witness statements until everything clicks into place. The mysterious Alan Martin is indeed the kidnapper, and worse, he’s been lurking in Genoa City longer than anyone imagined. As he shares the disturbing evidence with Phyllis, she breaks down, overwhelmed by questions—Why her? Why Sharon? What does Martin want?

Nick doesn’t have all the answers, but he’s clear about one thing: Martin is dangerous and needs to be stopped. Phyllis is ushered to safety, and Nick starts putting together a plan—but he’s not the only one on Martin’s trail.

Enter Chance Chancellor, a former FBI agent turned private investigator. Chance has his own history with Martin and has been quietly conducting his own investigation. As he follows the threads, he uncovers that Alan Martin is actually Martin Grayson, a mentally unstable man with a violent past. Martin had been confined to a psychiatric hospital, but he escaped months ago. His file, now in Chance’s hands, reveals a grim reality—diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia, Martin is trapped in delusions that paint Phyllis and Sharon as conspirators out to ruin his life.

Meanwhile, Sharon hears fragments of the truth and is overcome with fear. She pleads with Nick and Chance to stay out of it, but her emotions only reinforce their determination. Phyllis, barely holding herself together, agrees to keep her distance. The women are relocated to a safe house while the hunt continues.

But Martin doesn’t stop. Still in disguise as Alan, he manipulates his way into Tracy Abbott’s home. There, with trembling hands and a crazed glare, he accuses Phyllis and Sharon of stealing his inheritance and destroying his name. Tracy, trained in conflict de-escalation, gently challenges his narrative, pointing out the forged documents he brandishes. But Martin’s response is explosive—he storms out, vowing revenge.

That night, Martin returns to the abandoned psychiatric hospital where his torment began. The place, a haunting relic of his past, offers the only comfort he knows. Moonlight streaks through broken windows, casting ghostly shapes on the cracked walls as Martin moves through the shadows with a briefcase full of false evidence and a head full of rage.

But what Martin doesn’t know is that Nick and Chance have tracked his location. Hidden behind broken walls and armed with radios, they wait. Hours drag by until finally, Martin emerges. His eyes are wild. He clutches the briefcase like it holds the key to his vengeance. Then, the moment comes.

Nick whispers: “Now.”

Chance rises. Gun drawn. “Martin Grayson! Freeze!”

Martin spins, manic energy radiating from him. “You’ll never stop me!” he screams, lunging toward them.

But this time, there’s no escape.

The nightmare ends where it began—in the ruins of Martin’s fractured mind.