Shock Victoria finds Cole’s last letter – Claire and Matt’s identities are exposed CBS Y&R Spoilers

This week on The Young and the Restless, the walls of deception come crashing down as long-hidden secrets are dragged into the light. In an episode packed with heartbreak, revelation, and redemption, Victoria Newman’s discovery of Cole’s final letter changes everything — not only for her, but for Claire, Matt, and every Newman who has lived in the shadow of their family’s tangled past.

The episode begins quietly at Newman Enterprises. Victoria, determined to keep her focus on business after the chaos of recent weeks, buries herself in work. Yet even as she tries to move forward, the past refuses to let go. The pain of losing Cole still lingers — their complicated love story, their missed chances, and the questions that have never truly been answered. Her attempt at calm is shattered when Nikki brings her an old box recovered from the Newman ranch archives. Inside are mementos from Victoria’s past — photos, letters, and a sealed envelope bearing Cole’s handwriting.

At first, Victoria can’t bring herself to open it. The emotions are too raw. But as the night wears on, she gives in. What she finds inside changes everything. Cole’s letter, written just days before his disappearance, reveals that he had uncovered a secret about their daughter — a truth so explosive that he feared it could destroy the entire Newman family. He mentions names, cryptic warnings, and a plea: “If something happens to me, protect Claire. Don’t trust anyone — not even the ones closest to you.”

The revelation sends Victoria into a tailspin. She rushes to confront Nikki and Victor, demanding answers. Victor’s silence speaks volumes, while Nikki’s tearful eyes confirm her worst fear — they’ve known something for years. The letter also makes reference to “Matt,” a name that triggers a memory in Victor. As the puzzle pieces begin to align, the shocking truth starts to emerge: Claire and Matt are not who everyone thought they were.

Meanwhile, at a secluded motel on the edge of Genoa City, Claire struggles with guilt. Her relationship with Matt has grown tense, filled with whispered arguments and fear. Matt’s behavior has become erratic; he’s hiding phone calls, burning documents, and speaking cryptically about “the Newmans paying for what they did.” Claire, torn between loyalty and love, begins to suspect that Matt has been lying to her — and that his connection to her past is far more sinister than she ever imagined.

Back at Newman Enterprises, Victoria enlists the help of Nick and Adam to track down Matt’s real identity. A search through old corporate records and law enforcement files leads to a bombshell — Matt isn’t just some outsider with a grudge. He’s Matt Clark’s son, born from an affair that was erased from history after Matt’s death years ago. Raised under a false name, he has returned to Genoa City seeking revenge against the Newmans, whom he blames for everything his father lost.

The plot thickens when Claire’s connection to Cole’s letter becomes clear. Cole’s message wasn’t only a warning — it was a confession. He had discovered that Claire was not biologically Victoria’s daughter but rather a child switched at birth as part of a cruel revenge plot orchestrated decades earlier. The truth was hidden to protect the family’s reputation, but now, with the letter in hand, Victoria realizes the magnitude of the betrayal.

In a powerful emotional scene, Victoria confronts Claire, her voice trembling. “You deserve to know who you really are,” she says softly, handing her the letter. Claire, stunned, reads Cole’s words and collapses in tears. Everything she believed about her family, her past, and even her own identity has been a lie.

Meanwhile, Matt, desperate to keep his secret buried, crashes the Newman family gathering where Victoria plans to reveal the truth. In a tense standoff, he admits his real name — Matthew Clark Jr. — and declares his intent to “finish what his father started.” Victor steps forward, refusing to let another generation of revenge destroy his family. But before Matt can act, police sirens wail in the distance, and he flees into the night, leaving chaos in his wake.

The episode closes with Victoria sitting alone in her office, the letter still in her hand. She whispers, “You tried to warn me, Cole… and now it’s all come true.” The camera lingers on her tear-streaked face as the screen fades to black, leaving fans breathless and desperate for what comes next.

Next week promises even greater fallout — as Claire grapples with the truth about her origins, Matt goes on the run, and the Newmans brace for a reckoning decades in the making.

In Genoa City, the past never stays buried — and this time, the truth may destroy them all.