SHOCKING NEWS!! The Young And the Restless Mariah overhears Tessa calling Ian Ward dad – what’s their relationship?
Mariah’s intuition told her something was off. Tessa, usually warm and transparent,
had become guarded, her demeanor shifting to an unnerving coldness. The sudden insistence
on sharing custody of their daughter Arya sent Mariah into a spiral of unease.
This wasn’t the Tessa she knew. The fear of losing Arya, even partially, consumed her.
Determined to uncover the truth, Mariah began observing Tessa more closely, guilt mingling with her resolve. Then came the breaking point: one morning, Tessa left in a rush, Arya in tow, muttering something vague about a playdate. Mariah’s instincts screamed that something wasn’t right, and she followed her partner to a rundown motel on Genoa City’s outskirts.
From a hidden vantage point, Mariah watched Tessa meet a man whose presence froze her blood: Ian Ward. The man who had tormented Mariah in her past was now warmly embracing Tessa—and even holding Arya. Mariah’s world tilted as she overheard Tessa address Ian as “Dad.” The revelation was shattering. Could Tessa really be Ian’s daughter?
Mariah’s mind raced to connect the dots. Ian Ward was a manipulative predator, infamous for his ability to twist lives to suit his needs. Could Tessa’s mysterious connection to Ian explain her recent behavior? Was Arya in danger?
Confiding in Sharon, her mother, Mariah sought guidance. Sharon, who had also been a victim of Ian’s manipulation, reacted with a mix of shock and resolve. Together, they devised a plan: Mariah would dig into Tessa’s past, while Sharon investigated Ian’s recent activities.
What Mariah uncovered left her shaken. Deep within public records, she found adoption papers listing Ian Ward as Tessa’s biological father. The truth was undeniable. Tessa’s connection to Ian was real—and it changed everything.
Confronting Tessa, Mariah laid out the evidence: the motel, Ian, and the adoption papers. Tessa broke down, admitting she had discovered Ian’s identity recently but hadn’t known how to tell Mariah. She had hoped reconnecting with her father would bring closure, not chaos.
For Mariah, the betrayal cut deep. Ian Ward had already destroyed parts of her life; the thought of him now entwined with Tessa and Arya was unbearable. Yet, Mariah couldn’t deny her lingering love for Tessa. She vowed to protect Arya at all costs, even if it meant taking legal action against the woman she loved.
A DNA test was the only way to confirm Ian’s claim definitively. Mariah reluctantly agreed to help Tessa seek the truth, under strict supervision to prevent Ian from tampering with the results. Ian, ever the manipulator, played the part of a doting father, his confidence unsettling Mariah further.
While waiting for the results, Mariah presented Tessa with evidence of Ian’s crimes, hoping to dissuade her from pursuing a relationship with him. Tessa’s heart ached for the family she’d never had, but Mariah reminded her of the life and love they’d built together.
When the test results arrived, Mariah and Tessa faced them together. The envelope, a symbol of uncertainty, lay between them. Would Ian’s claim prove true? And if it did, what would it mean for their family?
The road ahead is fraught with heartbreak and uncertainty as Mariah fights to shield Arya and reconcile her love for Tessa with the dark shadow of Ian Ward.
