A seismic shift is heading for The Young and the Restless, and all signs point toward one of Genoa City’s most beloved characters being thrust into the center of a life-altering storyline. Christel Khalil, who has portrayed Lily Winters for over two decades, is reportedly preparing for a temporary exit as she welcomes her third child—and the show appears ready to send Lily off in truly explosive fashion.

Between cryptic cast interviews, storyline breadcrumbs, and shocking teases about a “family member in danger,” fans are bracing for a dramatic arc that could temporarily remove Lily from the canvas while completely destabilizing the Hamilton-Winters and Newman families heading into the new year.

Devon and Abby Hit a Breaking Point

The first major clue came from Brighton James (Devon Hamilton) in a recent TV Water Cooler interview. For months, viewers have watched Devon and Abby Newman (Melissa Ordway) settle into a quieter rhythm, largely due to Abby’s shift to recurring status. But according to James, that lull is officially over.

“We’ve got quite a bit of drama coming,” he teased—immediately signaling that something major was coming for “Dabby,” the couple fans have long considered one of the show’s most stable pairings.

But then came the line that stopped the fandom cold:
“Devon’s going to find someone in his immediate family in danger, and it’s going to put Devon and Abby’s marriage to the test.”

The phrase “immediate family” sent the online Y&R community into detective mode. Devon’s circle is small—his father is gone, his son Dominic is under the protection of the Newmans, and Nate Hastings, once estranged, is now busy rebuilding trust with Victor. That leaves one overwhelmingly likely candidate:

Lily Winters.

For a character already tied to multiple high-tension arcs, Lily’s placement in a danger storyline makes narrative and logistical sense—and prepares the groundwork for Christel Khalil’s temporary leave in a way that feels both emotional and impactful.

Lily Winters: The Perfect Storm of Storyline Vulnerability

To understand why fans immediately turned their attention to Lily, look no further than her recent trajectory. Lily’s world has been rife with instability:

• Cane Ashby’s sudden return pulled her into unresolved emotional territory.

• Her clashes with Phyllis Summers reignited old wounds and longstanding rivalries.

• Her role at Chancellor-Winters has become increasingly compromised by corporate upheaval.

Add backstage reality—Khalil’s pregnancy—and the puzzle pieces snap together.

Y&R has a longstanding tradition of crafting crisis-based exits for major characters, allowing actors to depart without diminishing their narrative significance. And Lily’s current position makes her the ideal target for a dramatic twist that both honors her character and maximizes stakes.

Kidnapping? Injury? A Corporate Setup? Theories Explode

The show has already teased that the danger will be high-stakes and emotionally devastating. So what form will Lily’s crisis take?

1. A Kidnapping Tied to Cane or Corporate Enemies

With Cane back in town—and currently entangled in a dangerous AI war involving Victor and Jabot—the possibility that Lily becomes collateral damage is chillingly plausible. Lily has repeatedly tried to distance herself from Cane’s chaotic orbit, but history has a way of dragging her back in. A kidnapping connected to Cane’s recent miscalculations would not only create a heart-pounding storyline, but also force Devon to confront the man who has caused Lily so much pain.

2. A Violent Confrontation Inside Chancellor-Winters

Given ongoing tensions and external threats to the company, Lily could be caught in a scheme meant for Billy, Jill, or even Devon himself. A mistaken-identity attack or sabotage gone wrong would provide the perfect catalyst for her disappearance or hospitalization.

3. A Sudden Medical Emergency

Less likely but still possible: Lily suffers a severe medical event—perhaps stress-induced or triggered during an emotionally charged confrontation. This would create a quieter but equally emotional justification for her temporary departure.

Whatever the route, one thing is clear: the show is preparing a crisis that will send shockwaves across Genoa City.

Devon Hamilton: A Brother Torn in Two

While Lily’s crisis will serve as the narrative mechanism for her exit, the emotional meat of the storyline will come from its impact on Devon. Y&R is setting him up to face one of the most heartbreaking dilemmas of his life:

How do you split yourself between the woman you love and the sister who has always been your moral anchor?

Devon and Abby’s marriage has weathered multiple storms, but a threat to Lily cuts into Devon’s deepest sense of loyalty. Fans know that Devon’s first instinct is to protect his family—sometimes even at the expense of reason or compromise. If Lily is kidnapped, injured, or otherwise jeopardized, the decisions Devon makes in the aftermath could fracture his marriage in ways neither he nor Abby see coming.

Expect emotional breakdowns, explosive confrontations, and potentially even temporary separations as the couple struggles to navigate grief, fear, and conflicting priorities.

Abby Newman Back in the Spotlight

For Abby, this storyline could reignite her narrative significance. As Devon becomes consumed with Lily’s crisis, Abby will be thrust into a position of emotional leadership—but also vulnerability. Will she resent Devon for prioritizing his sister? Will she feel shut out? Or will she rise to the occasion and fight alongside him?

This arc promises to give Melissa Ordway some of her strongest material in years, potentially redefining Abby’s role in Genoa City heading into 2026.

What This Means for Genoa City’s Future

Lily Winters’ impending disappearance—or brush with death—won’t be a self-contained event. It will ripple outward.

• The Hamilton-Winters family could fracture under the weight of grief and fear.

• Cane Ashby’s return arc may take a darker turn if he’s implicated, directly or indirectly.

• Phyllis Summers could find herself pulled into the drama, given her long history of conflict with Lily.

• Chancellor-Winters may face a leadership crisis as its co-CEO abruptly leaves the helm.

• Devon and Abby’s marriage is poised to endure its most profound test to date.

And when Lily ultimately returns—likely healed, wiser, and emotionally transformed—her reentry promises to reshape alliances, reopen wounds, and redefine her place in the evolving landscape of Genoa City.

A Storm Is Coming

Christel Khalil’s maternity leave may be temporary, but the storyline designed to usher her out will have long-term consequences for fans and characters alike. As Genoa City braces for a shocking twist that threatens one of its most cherished residents, one truth becomes undeniable:

Lily Winters’ departure will not be quiet, simple, or forgettable. It will be a turning point. And everyone—Devon, Abby, Cane, Phyllis, and the entire city—will feel the fallout.