The Young and the Restless: Daniel Comforts Abby as Devon’s Anger Threatens Their Marriage

A new emotional triangle may be forming on The Young and the Restless as Daniel Romalotti steps into the middle of Abby Newman Winters and Devon Winters’ increasingly troubled marriage.

This week, Daniel finds Abby alone and visibly upset at Society shortly after another tense confrontation with Devon. He offers her friendship, sympathy and eventually an invitation to spend the evening with him. Although his intentions may appear innocent, Daniel’s history suggests that his involvement could create even more problems for Abby and Devon.

Devon Admits Something Is Wrong

Devon has been struggling with intense anger ever since Mariah kidnapped Dominic.

Before that traumatic incident, Devon was generally calm and in control. However, Mariah’s actions left him feeling betrayed, frightened and deeply guilty. He is angry that someone he trusted took his son, but he is even angrier with himself because he believes he failed to protect Dominic.

That guilt has begun affecting nearly every part of Devon’s life.

He recently tried to have Mariah’s plea agreement rejected because he wanted her sent to prison instead of receiving treatment at a mental-health facility. Abby strongly disagreed with him. She understood that Mariah had been experiencing a serious psychological crisis and needed professional help rather than punishment.

Abby was especially hurt when she discovered that Devon had gone behind her back and approached the district attorney.

Since then, Devon has continued lashing out at the people closest to him. This week, he finally admits to Lily Winters that he believes something may be seriously wrong with him.

Lily, Cane and Holden Become Targets

Much of Devon’s frustration has also been directed at Lily and the men in her life.

Devon is furious that Lily has welcomed Cane Ashby back and allowed him to become involved with Chancellor. He has also reacted aggressively to her growing relationship with Holden Novak.

From Devon’s perspective, he is protecting his sister from men who might hurt her. However, his behavior may also be connected to his failure to protect Dominic. Devon appears determined to control every possible threat around Lily because he could not prevent what happened to his son.

His motives may come from love, but his methods are damaging his relationships.

He has berated Lily, confronted Cane and threatened Holden more than once. Instead of helping his sister, Devon is pushing her away.

Abby Feels Shut Out

Devon’s emotional withdrawal is also hurting Abby and Dominic.

Abby has repeatedly asked her husband to talk about what he is feeling, but Devon insists that he cannot explain it. She even asked Ashley Abbott to speak with him, hoping her mother might be able to reach him.

Unfortunately, Ashley made little progress.

Abby has told Devon that his refusal to communicate makes her feel lonely and rejected. Although he insists that he is not angry with her or Dominic, his behavior tells a different story.

After another tense conversation, Devon walks away, leaving Abby in tears at Society.

That is when Daniel arrives.

Daniel Offers Abby a Shoulder to Cry On

Daniel immediately notices that Abby is distressed and tells her that she looks as though she could use a friend.

Abby opens up about Devon’s anger and his refusal to communicate. Daniel initially gives supportive and reasonable advice. He encourages Abby to continue loving Devon and to be there when her husband is finally ready to talk.

However, Daniel does not stop there.

He offers Abby a distraction and asks her to join him at Noah Newman’s Shadow Room club. Abby initially declines, but Daniel asks again, and she appears to reconsider.

That second invitation may be a major warning sign.

Is History Repeating Itself?

Daniel’s growing closeness to Abby strongly resembles what happened between him and Tessa Porter.

When Mariah was struggling with her mental health, she pushed Tessa away and refused to explain what was happening. Tessa felt abandoned and turned to Daniel for friendship and emotional support.

Their connection eventually became romantic, and they slept together.

Daniel may not have approached Tessa with the intention of destroying her marriage, but emotional boundaries were crossed. Now the same pattern may be developing with Abby.

Devon is emotionally unavailable. Abby feels isolated. Daniel appears at exactly the right moment and offers the attention she is not receiving from her husband.

He may genuinely believe he is helping, but his invitation to the club suggests that their relationship could move beyond simple friendship.

Would Abby Cheat on Devon?

Devon’s behavior has been cruel and frustrating, but viewers may still question whether he deserves to be betrayed.

There would be a certain amount of irony if Abby cheated on him. Devon and Abby began their relationship while they were both involved with other people. Abby was married to Chance Chancellor, while Devon was with Amanda Sinclair.

Their affair destroyed those relationships.

Because of that history, Abby becoming involved with Daniel could be seen as karma for Devon. However, many fans may not want to see another marriage destroyed by a recycled cheating storyline.

Daniel has also been largely absent from major storylines recently. He usually appears only to criticize Phyllis Summers and remind her that he has not forgiven her. Bringing him back as a potential threat to Abby’s marriage could suggest that the writers are repeating an old formula rather than developing something new.

Mariah May Be the Key to Saving the Marriage

Mariah’s return could give Devon the opportunity he desperately needs to heal.

Although she caused much of his trauma, she may also be the only person who can fully understand why he is struggling. Devon and Mariah spoke briefly while she was receiving treatment, but they still have many unresolved emotions to confront.

Now that Mariah is in a healthier state of mind, Devon may finally be able to tell her how frightened, betrayed and powerless he felt.

If he can express those feelings to Mariah, he may eventually be able to open up to Abby.

That conversation could save Devon’s marriage before Daniel becomes more deeply involved.

For now, Daniel may only be offering friendship. But that was also how his relationship with Tessa began.

Devon should stop focusing all his energy on Cane and Holden. The real threat to his future may be much closer to home—and sitting beside his wife at Society.