As the episode unfolds, Sandrine/Stephanie Lacroix (portrayed by Ludmilla Maowski) lies restrained and gagged upon the floor, her frantic struggles forcing her into a sitting position as she rocks her body back and forth in desperation. Meanwhile, Zoe Dalton (Sally Bretton) finds herself reminiscing about her youthful admiration for George (David Suchet). He had chosen the noble path of a doctor, driven by a desire to help others. She confronts him, asking if he truly believed that informing her that her baby had died was an act of assistance, before casting an object to the ground in frustration. He reminds her of her youthful indiscretion, conceiving a child at the tender age of fifteen after a night of excessive drinking. He had wanted to provide her and her unborn child with the best possible chance at life. Zoe demands to know if he noticed the scars adorning Sandrine's back, to which he responds by stating that a colleague at Aurielville Centre Hospitalier had promised to secure a loving home for the baby. She insists on locating Sandrine and inquiries about how to reach this colleague, to which George assurances of taking care of the matter.
Shortly thereafter, Zoe places a call to Nathan Carnel, the journalist who penned an article accusing Sandrine of arson. Chris (Kenny Doughty) enters the room at this critical juncture. She shares with him the revelation of Sandrine's illegal adoption. Nathan reveals that Aurielville has a notorious history of such illicit adoptions, having penned an expose on the subject previously. Zoe seeks further details, but Nathan, fearing for his safety, abruptly terminates the call. Chris volunteers to attempt extracting more information from George. During a subsequent phone conversation, he informs Fred Gastou (Louis Bernard) that Marie (Virginie Ledoyen) has been communicating with Sandrine, prompting Fred's curiosity about Sandrine's identity. Chris clarifies that she is Stephanie's alias and vows to shield Zoe from discovering his involvement.
Zoe's suspicions about George's complicity in Aurielville's black market adoption ring deepen, with Chris confirming that he appears to play a significant role. She spots George exiting and, in France, George is seen keeping tabs on Marie. Meanwhile, in England, Chris stuffs syringes into his pocket as Zoe approaches, expressing her concern about George and suggesting they call the police. He recounts how George had been instrumental in his medical school journey, cautioning Zoe against going public as it could jeopardize Sandrine's safety. He reassures Zoe of Sandrine's resilience. They embrace, just as Noah (Ripley Barden) and Amber (Margot Pue) approach. Zoe reveals to them that she is Sandrine's mother, prompting Amber to remind her that as a teenager, such a revelation would have ruined her life. Zoe counters that a baby would have merely altered her life's trajectory. Noah, scrutinizing Sandrine's letter, notices the distinctive print at the top of the page, prompting Chris to urge Noah to move along. Zoe takes the letter to the window, while elsewhere, Sandrine's frantic struggles against her restraints intensify, her screams muffled by the gag.
George approaches Marie at a cozy diner, where she inquiries about his presence. Curious, she asks why he's there, prompting him to inquire about her decision to share Zoe's contact information with Sandrine. Marie insists that it was Sandrine's birthright to know Zoe as her biological mother, driven by her illness and a desire to clear her conscience before her demise. He acknowledges her good intentions, explaining why he sent her Chris. Marie alleges that Fred, Sandrine's adoptive father, groomed her, transforming their compassion into a lucrative venture. They had agreed to place Sandrine with a loving family, but Fred refused to relinquish her, instead auctioning her off, with the Lacroixs securing the highest bid. Frustrated, George demands to know why she kept this from him. Marie replies that revealing the truth would have endangered Sandrine's life.
She elaborates on the rippling effects it had on Chris, who initially struggled but eventually seized control, exploiting young pregnant women for profit. They received a modest fee while their infants were auctioned to the highest bidder, with Chris forging birth certificates and Fred granting him a share of the profits. George expresses fear that Zoe's life could be ruined by this revelation. Marie cautions against it, warning that exposing the truth would jeopardize Zoe and Sandrine's safety before exiting hastily.
Leaving Zoe a voicemail, George informs her he's in France but will return home in the afternoon. Meanwhile, Fred confronts Marie as she walks home, weary and resigned. She confronts him, stating her readiness to die and querying if he's prepared for the prison sentence that awaits him. Suddenly, Fred's associate chokeholds Marie.
Elsewhere, Zoe presents Lydia (Lesley Molony) with Sandrine's letter, marked with a distinctive print. Lydia squints, attempting to decipher the text. Zoe suggests the paper originated from a book. Lydia believes the print might be linked to the late Elizabeth and Arthur Jones of Castle Farm. As Zoe prepares to leave, Lydia warns her of the Jones house's dilapidated state.
Inside an abandoned house, Sandrine struggles against her restraints. Chris enters, placing a water bottle on the floor and removing her gag. She begs him for freedom, and he offers her a drink if she reveals what Marie told her. She denies knowing anything beyond Marie informing her that Zoe was her mother. Enraged, he hints that Marie must have shared details about the illegal adoption scheme. Sandrine recalls her father beating her and deeming her unworthy of the money they received.
Chris questions whether she told anyone about her plan to find Zoe. When his phone rings, he gags her, steps outside to take the call, which is from Zoe. She informs him of George's trip to France and her suspicion that Sandrine might be staying at the Jones house. He advises her to ask the villagers for information and ends the call. Preparing a syringe with medication, he returns to assure Sandrine that her demise will be painless. She struggles against her bonds, causing the pipe to loosen. She shoves him, causing his head to strike the floor.
Freed from her restraints, Sandrine grabs an object, crushes the syringe, and flees. Regaining consciousness, Chris chases her in his car, the tension ratcheting up as their pursuit intensifies.
Moments later, Zoe arrives at Castle Farm, where she discovers the book from which Sandrine had savagely torn pages. Urgently, she reaches out to Chris, who speculates that Sandrine might have taken someone captive there. Zoe describes a gag entangled with hair, discarded haphazardly on the floor. After terminating the call, she promptly dials DI Holt (portrayed by Barry John Kinsella).
Elsewhere, Raye (played by Ebimie Anthony) is gripped by the throes of labor. Amber anxiously inquiries if they can make it to her place. As a contraction subsides, Raye nods affirmatively. Meanwhile, Holt informs Zoe that they had raided the Jones residence the previous day and briefed Chris about it. She slips a syringe into her pocket discreetly, while Holt requests reinforcement.
Back at his residence, Chris prepares medication in a syringe. Fred's call interrupts, informing him of George's encounter with Marie yesterday. Fred orders Chris to confront George and seeks compensation. Chris mentions the impending delivery of a pregnant girl. Raye's contractions intensify, and Amber tries to contact Chris, but to no avail.
Upon her return, Zoe compares the syringe in her possession to Chris's, finding an exact match. Shortly thereafter, Raye and Amber arrive. Amber reveals to Zoe that Chris was aware of the situation. Stunned, Zoe summons an ambulance. George enters his home just then, and Zoe fills him in. He urges her to contact Lydia. Raye's panic escalates, but George reassures her. Amber and Zoe offer solace. Lydia arrives as Raye begins to deliver her baby boy. George rushes out to fetch his medical bag, with Zoe hastily following to inquire about his trip to France. He reveals that Marie had worked alongside him and Chris in Aurielville. Raye's cries of pain punctuate their conversation. He vows to unveil everything later and hurries to his house.
Chris arrives and confronts George about the French sojourn. George underscores the urgency of returning to Raye. Chris probes about what George has told Zoe. George reveals nothing yet but underscores the necessity of her knowing about the baby-selling scheme. Chris apologizes, injects George with a sedative, and holds him till he ceases struggling, eventually laying him on the ground. Lydia hands Raye her newborn son, and Raye expresses her desire to keep him. Zoe asserts that it's her decision, and no one can dictate otherwise.
Sandrine enters, noticing George's prone figure. Zoe overhears Chris informing someone over the phone that George has been neutralized, with Sandrine to be blamed. He urges the individual to finalize the paperwork for the baby before terminating the call. He opens the door to find Zoe standing there, her gaze probing. Pretending indifference, she informs him of Raye's delivery. As he strides away, Zoe enters the laundry room, shutting the door behind her and dialing Holt.
Chris re-enters the room, claiming that George, his mentor, had dispatched him to France for clandestine tasks. Holding up the syringe, Zoe accuses him of holding Sandrine captive. As she prepares to exit, he clutches her arm. She commands him to release her and queries his plans for Raye's baby. As she leaves, he mutters that they anticipate something in return.
Sandrine hastily dials for an ambulance as the situation escalates. Chris, wielding a syringe filled with drugs, looms over Zoe, his voice dripping with menace. From out of nowhere, Sandrine strikes, tackling him from behind. In a swift motion, Chris retaliates, seizing her and pressing the syringe against her throat, the steel glinting ominously under the dim light. Amber's voice pierces through the tension, urging him to release Sandrine. Just as the words leave her lips, the sound of sirens echoes, signaling the arrival of Holt and his team of officers. Chris hesitates, then reluctantly lets Sandrine go, his grip loosening as Holt steps forward to apprehend him.
Holt firmly places Chris under arrest, reciting his Miranda rights with a steady, unwavering tone. Meanwhile, Sandrine, breathless but defiant, informs Holt that George lies unconscious within the guest house. In response, Holt dispatches an officer to check on his wellbeing. Zoe, her eyes wide with a mixture of relief and fear, watches the procedure unfold, her heart pounding in her chest. As Holt finishes reading Chris his rights, Zoe wraps her arms around Sandrine, gratitude flowing in her voice as she thanks her for returning to their side.
The joy of Zoe's birthday fills the room as she blows out the candles on her cake, her smile bright and uncontainable. George enters, his presence announced by the gentle chime of the doorbell. He asks, almost hesitantly, for a word with Zoe. Lydia, her belly rounding with the promise of new life, speaks softly, her eyes filled with understanding as she tells Zoe that her baby is due any day now. Reluctantly, Zoe agrees to speak with him, her resolve tested but unbroken.
George confides in Zoe, revealing that Marie meticulously documented the adoptions. He denies any prior knowledge of the adoption scheme, his voice tinged with regret. He professes his willingness to face the consequences, his words sincere and firm. Zoe, moved by his sincerity, thanks him.
Sandrine, her voice filled with warmth, calls out to George, addressing him as 'Granddad' and embracing him tightly. Tears stream down his face as he allows himself to be led into the kitchen by her tender hands. Zoe, gathering her composure, joins them moments later, the three forming a fragile but hopeful bond as they move forward from the shadows of their past.
