Genoa City is bracing for a storm—one that promises explosive confrontations, emotional fallout, and the possible exit of one of the show’s most beloved leading ladies. As The Young and the Restless gears up for a series of seismic story twists, the stakes have never been higher. Fan-favorite returns are brewing, loyalties will be tested, and a shocking danger may thrust the Hamilton-Winters family into crisis. And at the center of all this turbulence? Lily Winters—and the looming possibility that her time in Genoa City may be drawing to a dramatic close.

Recently, Y&R stars Bryton James (Devon Hamilton) and Jason Thompson (Billy Abbott) sat down for an interview with TV Water Cooler, offering a rare peek behind the curtain. While the conversation included the usual laughs, nostalgia, and set shenanigans, Bryton slipped in a series of cryptic hints—hints that set the fandom ablaze. His words suggest that not only is major drama headed for Devon and Abby, but someone in Devon’s immediate family will soon face grave danger.

And that, dear viewers, changes everything.

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The Rise—and Sudden Stall—of Devon and Abby

To understand the magnitude of what may be coming, it’s worth revisiting Devon and Abby’s journey. For a while, “Dabby” was the couple to watch. Their relationship was a slow-burn evolution of friendship and mutual admiration that exploded into passion, heartbreak, and controversial choices.

Their love story had all the elements of a soapy classic:

• betrayal (both cheated on their partners, Amanda and Chance),

• redemption (finding solace in each other after separate emotional collapses),

• and, of course, the unforgettable twist involving baby Dominic—conceived with Devon’s help and forever binding him to Abby.

After surviving scandal, the pair finally exchanged vows in a lavish ceremony at the newly restored Newman Ranch—an episode that doubled as the show’s massive 13,000th installment. It felt like the beginning of a new power-couple era.

But almost immediately after their wedding aired, something shifted. Screen time for the couple quietly receded. The reason? Melissa Ordway (Abby) was moved to recurring status. Abby began appearing only for key events—holiday gatherings, emotional milestones, or the occasional dramatic reveal. Her surprise trip to Cane’s chateau in France raised eyebrows, but she quickly returned to the background, surfacing again more recently at Christine and Danny’s wedding.

For a while, the calm around Devon and Abby seemed almost suspicious. And according to Bryton James, it was.

“The quiet is officially over,” he teased—suggesting that the simmering tension in the Hamilton-Abbott union is about to boil over.

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A Dangerous Twist—and the Family Member in Harm’s Way

The biggest shocker Bryton dropped was this: someone in Devon’s immediate family will soon find themselves in danger. And that crisis is going to shake Devon and Abby’s marriage to its core.

Immediately, fans began speculating. Devon’s “immediate family” is a small circle these days. With Neil gone, and Tucker largely orbiting Ashley, there aren’t many candidates. Nate, perhaps—but current storylines don’t indicate an imminent threat there. He’s rebuilding trust with the Newmans, slowly recovering from the fallout with Victoria after Cole’s death, and even Victor has extended an olive branch.

That leaves one glaring possibility:

Lily Winters.

And the puzzle pieces fit with almost suspicious perfection.

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Why Lily Is the Most Likely Target

Lily’s storyline has already been shaken by the reappearance of Cane—a return that sent her emotional world into a tailspin. The unresolved tension, the old wounds, the history… Cane’s return is a storyline earthquake with aftershocks still spreading. Lily has been struggling to keep her emotional and professional life intact.

But behind the scenes, the picture is even clearer.

Christel Khalil, who has played Lily Winters since 2002, is expecting her third child in real life.

Soap operas have long relied on dramatic exits—kidnappings, comas, long business trips—to temporarily write out actors going on parental leave. And what Bryton hinted at aligns perfectly with a classic Y&R setup: a shocking danger pushes Lily out of Genoa City, creating a storyline that simultaneously ties into Cane’s return, tests Devon’s marriage, and provides the emotional weight needed for a maternity-leave exit.

Imagine the scenario:

Lily is suddenly endangered—perhaps through a business conflict, a family feud, or fallout from Cane’s reappearance. Devon, always fiercely protective of his sister, spirals emotionally. Abby, equally concerned but increasingly sidelined by her husband’s single-minded focus, begins to feel the cracks forming in their once-solid union. As Devon’s loyalty to Lily intensifies, Abby fears she is losing her husband—not to another woman, but to his family obligations.

Soap opera marriages have broken over far less.

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How Lily’s Exit Could Play Out

If the writers do follow this trajectory, there are several dramatic possibilities:

1. A Medical Crisis

A sudden collapse, an accident, or a mysterious illness leaves Lily fighting for her life. Devon refuses to leave her side. Abby feels abandoned.

2. A Targeted Attack

Lily becomes the victim of someone else’s vendetta—perhaps linked to Chancellor-Winters drama or an enemy from Cane’s past. Devon becomes consumed with guilt.

3. A Voluntary Departure Under Duress

Lily leaves town for her own protection or to escape the turmoil Cane has reintroduced. Devon blames himself. Abby grapples with being second place in Devon’s priorities.

4. A Rescue Mission Gone Wrong

Devon tries to save Lily from danger—physically or emotionally—and the consequences ripple through every character connected to them.

All paths lead to the same outcome: Lily’s absence, Devon’s emotional unraveling, and an increasingly fragile marriage.

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The Fallout: A Strained Marriage and a Fractured Family

Bryton hinted that the emotional turmoil Devon experiences will place unprecedented pressure on his marriage to Abby. What began as a solid family foundation could quickly crumble under stress, guilt, fear, and unresolved sibling trauma.

Abby, who once shared a deep and fiery bond with Devon, may find herself on the outside looking in. While she has always accepted that Dominic ties them together, she may not be prepared to lose her husband emotionally to Lily’s crisis.

Fans are already speculating:
Could Lily’s crisis push Devon and Abby toward a separation?
Could Cane re-enter Lily’s orbit in a more permanent way?
Could the Hamilton-Winters family fracture once again?

If the hints are any indication, we’re heading into a storyline with long-lasting repercussions.

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The Bottom Line: Prepare for Must-Watch Television

If Christel Khalil’s maternity leave is indeed the reason for this upcoming plot twist, the writers are preparing to launch her exit with maximum emotional impact. Lily Winters may soon be leaving Genoa City—but not quietly.

Her departure could ignite months of high-stakes drama, pull multiple families into conflict, and reshape relationships across the canvas.

One thing is certain: The Young and the Restless is about to deliver some of its most gripping, heartbreaking, and unforgettable episodes in years.

And fans?
You won’t want to miss a single moment.