The Young and the Restless Recap, April 20, 2026: Malcolm gives Lily devastating news

On the Monday, April 20th episode of The Young and the Restless, Devon and Nate learn Holden is part of the family, Lily receives devastating news, and Billy and Sally face the future together.

What happened on The Young and the Restless

Stephanie and Nate reconnected after over three decades on Y&R | Image: CBS ate (Sean Dominic) on The Young and the Restless | Image: CBSN

Nate recognized Stephanie at the Athletic Club bar, and Stephanie realized he was her good friend Olivia’s son. They hugged, and Nate explained that he’d seen her online lectures. Stephanie expressed sympathy that he’d needed to give up surgery after his injury, and Nate admitted it had been a hard choice. Stephanie stressed that his mother was proud of him, since she and Olivia regularly talked about their remarkable sons.

Nate and Stephanie decided to have dinner together. She revealed that she was in Genoa City to see her son, Holden Novak. Nate stammered that he’d met Holden but didn’t know him well. Stephanie predicted things might change.

Nate recalled that he’d loved being in medicine, but he didn’t think he’d developed the same layer that got doctors through the loss of a patient. Stephanie mused that it was science and magic when her work kept someone in the world, but when she couldn’t pull it off, there was nothing worse. (Please don’t let this be foreshadowing!)

Lily and Holden navigate their new sibling status

Holden is adjusting to life as a Winters on Y&R | Image: CBS

Lily ran into Holden at Society, and he invited her to join him. She reported that the test results were not yet in for Malcolm and the twins. Holden imagined it was difficult for Malcolm to deal with a new son and a life-threatening disease all at once. Lily assured him that if anyone could handle it, Malcolm could. Holden found it strange how well she knew their father when he didn’t know Malcolm at all.

Lily explained that Malcolm was her biological father, but Neil would always be her dad, and Malcolm was her dad’s brother. Holden sensed a story there (that’s an understatement!), but Lily simply replied that Malcolm was a good man. Lily called Malcolm an optimist who believed things were meant to work out the way they were supposed to. Holden countered that some things didn’t work out. (Uh-oh, not more foreshadowing?!)

Lily was sure the men would have their own conversations, but Holden recognized that Malcolm had a lot going on and would be seeking treatment in New York. Lily wished their father would have treatment in Genoa City. Holden hoped Lily could talk Malcolm into it. Yes, please!

Lily shared that Malcolm had always been a free spirit, and his love and affection would be there even if he wasn’t. Lily accepted Malcolm’s choice to get treatment where he felt comfortable, but she understood if Holden wanted to be close to Malcolm. Holden worried that it might be too late to forge a relationship with Malcolm. Holden wasn’t sure he could fight his anger toward his mother for not telling him about his father sooner.

Holden described how it had been growing up being the kid whose dad was dead, while other kids had their fathers show up to school events. Holden confessed that he’d lied by pretending his father was alive and making up stories about things they’d done together because it had been easier than being pitied. Holden lamented that he and Malcolm couldn’t get those years back, and they didn’t know how many they had left. Holden bitterly remarked that he and Malcolm had both been robbed.

Lily thought Devon and Nate needed to know about Holden, and she expected them to see Holden as extended family. Holden pointed out there was no guarantee. Lily thought it was best that Holden was there when she told them. Holden confirmed that he wanted to be in the loop from then on. Lily called Nate and requested a family meeting with him and Devon at Society.

All in the family

Nate Hastings, played by Sean Dominic, on The Young and the Restless | Image: CBS

Devon and Nate arrived and were confused to find Lily with Holden. Lily announced that she and Holden had recently found out that Malcolm was Holden’s biological father, making them half-siblings. Devon found it to be an odd coincidence that both Stephanie and Malcolm were in town. Lily firmly stated that Holden was family to her, so he was family to all of them. Holden departed to give them some privacy.

Devon compared calling Holden "family" to calling Tucker "family." Lily reasoned that she and Holden had time to figure it out, but Nate advised that he knew from his experience with Damian that time wasn’t infinite. Lily agreed, but she thought it had to wait because she had other things to think about. She stepped aside to take a call from Malcolm.

Lily was crushed to learn that neither of her children was a match for Malcolm. She mentioned that she was with Devon and Nate, and she whimpered that she loved Malcolm. Lily returned to the table and crumpled into tears as Devon and Nate rushed to her side.

Holden joined Stephanie at the Athletic Club. He suspected he wouldn’t be on the invite list for family dinners anytime soon – if ever. Stephanie offered to help smooth things out, but he replied that he didn’t need his mother to handle things. He anticipated that whatever happened would be okay, and she commented that he sounded like Malcolm. Holden muttered that Malcolm’s family had a lot to deal with, and he wasn’t one of them. Stephanie suggested that everyone give it time.

Sally and Billy contemplate unplanned parenthood

Sally and Billy are dealing with the news that they're becoming parents together on Y&R | Image: JPI

At home, Sally informed Billy that her second pregnancy test had also been positive. He asked if she had known she was pregnant before that day, and she recounted that she’d been feeling different. He realized that she’d asked Audra to pick up a pregnancy test, but he understood that she’d needed a friend. Billy suspected Sally had been afraid to tell him she was pregnant, and he wondered what that said about them going forward.

Sally praised Billy for being a wonderful father. Billy promised that she would never be alone unless she wanted to be, but he wasn’t going anywhere. Sally divulged that she hadn’t told him right away because he’d been through a lot with Delia, and she contemplated how they could face the chance of losing someone precious to them again.

Billy and Sally compared notes about seeing their lost children in their dreams. Billy envisioned Delia being with Katherine, and he hoped his daughter was proud of him even though he’d made big mistakes. He pledged to try harder as a father, but he asserted that Sally’s feelings mattered the most. He guessed she was thinking about losing Ava, and he wondered if she was willing to take that risk again.

In a performance from Courtney Hope that served as a reminder of why she won an Emmy, Sally bemoaned that she’d lost herself when she’d lost Ava. She cried that she felt guilty and ashamed for surviving, and she hesitated to dream or hope because the worst could happen again. Sally added that she knew Billy would be there, and they embraced. They agreed to figure out their next steps as a team.

Watch full episodes of The Young and the Restless on CBS or stream on Paramount Plus.