Tate Black always tries to act strong, but the truth is he’s broken. After discovering that Sophia tricked him into believing Trey was his son, Tate’s mind becomes a battlefield: between fatherhood, between pride, between feelings of betrayal.

So when Tate unexpectedly seeks out Arianna Horton to confide — viewers know right away: this is not a normal conversation.

This is a moment of a broken man.

Opening scene: Tate sits on a park bench, hands shaking, eyes red as if he’s been crying, but trying to act normal.

Arianna walks over, immediately realizing something is wrong. She asks, Tate dodges. She’s patient, Tate dodges even more. Then, suddenly, he blurts out a painful sentence:
“Ari… I don’t know who I am anymore.”

Arianna was stunned. Tate took a deep breath and spoke—slowly, softly, but cutting to the heart. He spoke of Trey. Of believing he was a father. Of loving a child who had never known what love was. And then—of having it all taken away with a single “I’m sorry, it’s not what you think.”

Tate’s voice cracked:
“You loved him like you loved yourself… Ari, this is killing you.”

Arianna stepped forward, placing her hand on Tate’s—a simple gesture that was warmer than any words. She spoke softly but truly:
“If you lose your way, I’ll be your way. If you lose your faith, I’ll let you lean on me.”

Tate let out a relieved breath, but he still trembled. He continued to confess what made Arianna cry:
“I’m scared. Scared that if I’m not Trey’s father… I’m nothing.”

Arianna hugged Tate. A long, tight, genuine hug. Not a romantic hug — but a heartbreak.

But the drama isn’t over yet. When Tate opens up to Ari, Ari must face the truth — and a choice:

tell her family?

protect Tate?

or fight to get Trey back?

And what’s more dangerous: Sophia — the liar — won’t let Tate go free. She’ll definitely come back, dragging Tate into a new spiral.

Tate and Arianna are opening up a story full of emotions: humanity, pain, maturity. And in a Salem full of darkness, the conversation between the two young people is the brightest highlight of the week.