Daniel Zubiate

It'’s the night of the twins'’ 17th birthday, and Emma and Ethan have just had a huge blow-up with Sutton. It'’s been a tough night for Emma and Ethan, and things are about to get tougher when they find Sutton has disappeared after their argument and the Mercer family car is missing from the garage. When the police find the car at the bottom of the lake, Emma and Ethan look to each other for support, but Thayer threatens to tear them apart with his accusations against Ethan. Meanwhile, Char’'s aunt, Rebecca (recurring guest star CHARISMA CARPENTER - Buffy the Vampire Slayer), has returned to town and Char is the only one happy about it.

It's the twins' 17th birthday and instead of celebrating their first birthday together, Emma is planning her escape as an angry Sutton returns to Phoenix to get her life back. Knowing her new life had to come to an end sometime, Emma tries to say goodbye to the family and friends she always dreamed of before Sutton arrives home and reveals the truth. But hell hath no fury like a scorned Sutton, and she doesn't just plan on revealing the truth, she plans on also ruining Emma in the process. With Ethan begging Emma to stay and fight for the life she wants, will Emma, for once, stand up for herself? Meanwhile, Thayer (recurring guest star CHRISTIAN ALEXANDER) and Char become more suspicious of Alec (recurring guest star ADRIAN PASDAR).

On the night of the country club's Black and White Ball for junior members, Emma finds herself on the outside looking in, and Ethan must put up a façade in order to protect her. Although their loyalty to each other is strong, the jealousy and lies start to take their toll. Can Emma and Ethan look past their doubts and mend the wedge forming between them? Meanwhile, Laurel and Ted are both left reeling after they discover the motive behind Justin's (recurring guest star RANDY WAYNE) actions. And Rebecca (recurring guest star CHARISMA CARPENTER) and Mads counsel each other on matters of the heart.

In the explosive season finale, an unexpected engagement leads to a quickly planned wedding, causing suspicions that something is awry. Sutton encourages Emma to show Kristin what they found in Rebecca's (recurring guest star CHARISMA CARPENTER) house, and Ethan makes a discovery that changes the game. Meanwhile, a shocking revelation leads to major repercussions in the Mercer household.

Still a wanted man, Ethan continues to live in hiding with Sutton, leaving Emma to worry if justice and love will prevail. Discouraged by Dan'’s (recurring guest star TYLER CHRISTOPHER) inability to crack the case, Emma takes it upon herself to find a way to vindicate Ethan. With the help of Mads and Thayer (recurring guest star CHRISTIAN ALEXANDER), they search for any lead that may help prove Ethan'’s innocence. Meanwhile, Ethan and Sutton'’s time alone in hiding together has lowered Ethan'’s guard. Sutton uses the opportunity to encourage Ethan to bond with his estranged father, Ben Whitehorse (recurring guest star GIL BIRMINGHAM), looking to heal her relationship with him at the same time. And Alec (recurring guest star ADRIAN PASDAR) questions Rebecca'’s (recurring guest star CHARISMA CARPENTER) motives after she agitates Ted and Kristin by offering Laurel the opportunity to produce a music demo.