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.

In the season finale, the charity gala takes a somber turn as everyone honors the memory of a loved one. Dan (recurring guest star TYLER CHRISTOPHER) issues Ethan an ultimatum that has heartbreaking consequences. Emma finally confronts Rebecca about her lost childhood. Ted tries to find the right way to tell Kristin about another secret from his past. Meanwhile, an unexpected twist brings the fundraiser to a crashing halt.