In the opening scene of Episode 2 of "All Her Fault," we are transported back five years to a time when Marissa and Peter returned home with their newborn son, Milo. Marissa struggled to juggle her new role as a working mother, exhausted from sleepless nights and Peter's incomprehension. Despite her repeated requests, he failed to offer any assistance with the night feedings.
As Milo finally started sleeping through the night, a semblance of normalcy returned to Marissa's life. Now, she watches old videos of Milo, eagerly awaiting any news about their son. She even arranges for Milo's pictures to be displayed on billboards along the highways, hoping for a glimpse of hope. The relationship between Marissa and Peter remains strained.
Colin pays a visit, eager to lend a helping hand. Marissa informs him of the upcoming press conference in the afternoon, hoping it will coax the kidnapper into making a ransom call.
At Jenny's house, she diligently attempts to restore order to Carrie's room after the police investigation left it in shambles. As she reflects on Carrie's sweet demeanor towards Jacob, Jenny is faced with the question of when Carrie will return and who will care for Jacob. She vows to take over Carrie's responsibilities.
When she requests Richie to clear his schedule for the afternoon, he insists he can't, leaving Jenny frustrated as she has a meeting with Lee and they need to arrange childcare. The police arrive with news that shatters their hopes - Carrie had been using a fake identity, with all her references being fabricated. Richie blames Jenny for not recognizing the signs. The police delve deeper into Carrie's schedule, with Jenny mentioning her random request for a day off on the 25th.
At Marissa's house, Lia and Brian discuss the detective's questions from the previous night, agreeing that Peter was wrong to blame Marissa for not verifying the text number. Afterward, they drive in silence to the TV station to prepare for the press conference, their hearts heavy with unspoken fears and longings.
As the clock ticked on, Greco and Alcaras fretted over the silence that seemed to have descended upon the situation, as if an unspoken pact had been made to keep the ransom call at bay. Alcaras's eyes widened in realization as he noticed that Peter had taken a leave of absence on the 25th, mirroring Carrie's own absence. A lingering question danced in their minds—were they conspiring together?
Meanwhile, Jenny deposited Jacob at school with a wave to the waiting crowd, who warned her to steer clear of Marissa. Sarah and a few concerned parents urged her to protect herself, whispering that Marissa might lodge a lawsuit once the initial shock wore off. The radio droned on with criticism of Jenny for not conducting a thorough background check on Carrie before hiring her.
At the TV station, a pack of reporters stalked the family like vultures, snapping a shot of Marissa receiving a prank call. Marissa realized that the internet had uncovered their wedding photos, casting them as haughty snobs. Lia lashed out at the reporters, while Marissa tried to reason with them about the importance of a positive public image. Peter stepped in to quell the storm when Marissa's anxiety threatened to consume her.
Jenny soothed her and offered to design Milo's website while Marissa collapsed onto a couch for respite. They found a serene corner, and Jenny dove into work on the website with renewed purpose. Marissa's questions lingered about Carrie's capabilities, wondering if she could harm children.
Jenny assured her that Carrie had been kind to Jacob, going out of her way to make him happy. She reassured Marissa that it was highly unlikely that Carrie would physically harm Milo, her words falling like a gentle breeze on the stormy waters of doubt and fear.
She extends an offer to reach out to Marissa's friends or family, but Marissa's loneliness weighs heavy; she has no one but Peter's family and his circle of acquaintances. Jenny playfully jests about becoming best friends, and Marissa feels a twinge of guilt for her mirthful response.
Marissa dials Peter's assistant, inquiring about the conference he had that day. The assistant delves into the records and discovers that Peter had no scheduled conference and was nowhere to be found at the office either.
Meanwhile, Ana engages in a deceptive conversation with the police, feigning ignorance about Carrie's whereabouts. She mentions that most nannies take the children to a playground a few miles away from the school.
As they prepare to depart, Alcaras receives a call from his wife, engaging in cheerful banter while Greco wonders if Peter could have been capable of abducting his own son.
At the TV station, Lia, Brian, and Peter sift through their social media feeds, deleting any content that might be construed as controversial. Peter confesses that he is struggling and desires to divert attention by helping his siblings. He receives a message and excuses himself to make a call, offering to pay off the situation if only the other party would name their price. Did he abduct his own son?
On the other side of the conversation, Marissa speaks with Colin, wanting to know if Peter was having an affair. Colin dismisses the possibility but offers to organize a door-to-door canvassing to see if anyone witnessed anything.
As the press conference commences, Alcaras divulges some details of the case, inviting Peter and Marissa to discuss Milo's disappearance. The press turns its focus on Marissa, interrogating why she didn't realize her son was missing until hours later. They also question whether she faked everything to secure a book deal. Marissa attempts to explain that she contacted a publishing company to obtain the contact information of an author who wrote a book on child kidnapping. The press then delves into the audit of her company following some debts, wondering if a book deal could serve as a means to offset the debts. Overwhelmed by the onslaught of questions, Marissa begins to walk away.
The press continues to pepper her with more queries, prompting her to turn around and shout, "He is my son!" Privately, Peter reveals that a reporter had called earlier inquiring about the staged kidnapping. Marissa is incensed that Peter tried to bribe the reporter instead of discussing it with her. She demands to know if he is having an affair with Carrie and where he was on the 25th.
Peter confesses to Marissa about his doctor's appointment, where he'll discuss the possibility of an experimental surgery for Brian. He reassures her that he has never strayed from their commitment. Meanwhile, Lia and Brian are disgusted by the media's sensationalized reports, and Alcaras interrogates Peter to get more information on his alibi for the 25th. Peter reveals that he shoulders all his siblings' bills, and Brian, who lives in the guest house, tells Alcaras that Brian's accident was Lia's fault. This is why Peter constantly does his best to keep Lia in check.
Greco calls Alcaras to report that the police found Carrie's nanny car abandoned in Vernon Hills. Alcaras points out that Carrie must have gotten someone to pick her up after dumping the car, realizing that she is not working alone.
Meanwhile, Jenny drives Marissa home. As Marissa receives a call from a bakery confirming the cake she wanted for Milo's upcoming birthday, she expresses confusion about Milo's request for a "mall cake." Jenny explains that Jacob calls the malted milkshakes he likes "mall."
Jenny checks the card she gave Carrie and notices that every Tuesday, Carrie took Jacob to the milkshake stand. Marissa then goes through the card she gave Ana and realizes that Carrie and Ana were always at the snack shop at the same time on the same day. It dawns on her that Ana lied about not knowing Carrie.
The scene cuts to Carrie preparing to change her hairstyle. Meanwhile, Ana grabs her bags and quickly leaves the motel. Back to Carrie, she shaves her hair and gets a wig. The news of Milo's kidnapping continues to play in the background, and Milo interrupts her, remarking on how nice she looks with her new hairstyle. She suggests they change his hair too, but the little boy worries his mom will get mad. Carrie lies that Marissa trusts her.
There is a knock on the door, and Carrie asks Milo to hide as if it were a game. She opens the door to find the landlady, who is there to see how Carrie is settling in and give her an extra key. She sees the news and starts gossiping with Carrie about how the kidnapping of Milo was allegedly staged by the mom. Carrie acts nonchalantly and thanks her for the keys, then goes on to say she is expecting company.
