True Face

Charlie finds Aria weeping over her mother. He’s touched by the genuine display of affection he witnesses.

Oliver wakes after his car accident in the hospital, with Riley holding his hand. It’s not what he’s expecting. They look at each other. Riley’s expression almost seems to be begging him to understand her genuine feelings of love toward him.

Aria rides in the ambulance with Mom, still crying. She caresses Mom’s face and begs her to be alive, eat lots of good food, travel more often, and move to a bigger house. Charlie watches her from the passenger seat of the ambulance.

And then Archie runs out in front of the ambulance, so it hits him. How does he run out in front of an ambulance? How does he not see it? It’s not like it was hidden and appeared at the last second.

Back at the hospital, Oliver wants to know the time and starts to try to pull out his IV so he can get out of bed. Riley stops him.

The ambulance driver rushes out to check on the man he just hit. He wants to take Archie to the hospital with them, but says that he really didn't get hit. He just fell because he was startled, so they can go. And he's limping, so it’s obvious that he’s lying. Driver tries to insist but Archie refuses: He’s busy. Is Driver busy, too?

From inside the ambulance, Aria is shocked to see that her brother just got hit by their ambulance. He looks toward the ambulance and she dives out of sight, but not before he gets curious. He looks inside the ambulance at the woman, but the EMT leans over Mom so he misses that she’s in the ambulance. As Archie is about to open the door to investigate this woman who seems to be hiding her face from him, the Driver asks if he’s decided to come. Dad runs over because he’s gotten a call that they’ve found Mom. The hospital just contacted him. Dad and Archie hurry away and Aria stifles more tears.

As the ambulance gets underway again, Charlie yells at her, asking if she’s okay. She sadly shakes her head ‘no.’ He’s bothered.

At the hospital, Riley is blocking Oliver from getting his clothes so that he can leave the hospital. He asks how long she’s planning on doing it. She says that she’s not going to budge until he explains why Emma slapped him and stormed out. So, it’s not even, ‘I want you to be safe and well,’ it’s ‘explain why Emma made a scene and how this doesn’t prove that she’s your mistress.’ Impatient, Oliver says that he already explained. There was a misunderstanding, and after chasing after her in a rush there was an accident. The best lies are always laced with truth. The more honest something is, the less you have to remember.

Riley wants him to tell her everything piece by piece so she can understand. Oliver protests that it is almost time for the luncheon and the mayor is waiting. She rolls her eyes, steps aside and glares at him. Oliver sighs and rubs his face. He walks away from her and says that he’ll tell her. He sits on the bed. The truth is, he lied to Emma. She said the nanny who used to take care of her is missing. He had said that he had found her and that she'd see Nanny after the luncheon. That was a lie. And we all know how the rich use nannies to raise their children, and how the nannies can be more affectionate than the parents. I wonder if Riley had one of those, which is why Oliver thinks this lie will work.

Riley asks why he did it – almost like it’s still all about proving that Emma is Oliver’s lover. He says that he didn't want it to interfere with the investment agreements. Riley points out that the investment agreements passing would benefit *Charlie* and Oliver acts shocked/hurt: How could she say that? They are all a family. Riley laughs because she doesn’t believe him either. Riley asks if he’s telling the truth or just a lie? Oliver sighs like he’s hurt that she doesn’t trust him. She walks over to the door and opens it. She says that he can go now.

In the ER, Aria holds unconscious Mom’s hand. Charlie looks at Mom and Aria. It’s obvious he’s wondering what her relationship to this woman is. He mentions that the luncheon will start soon. Subdued, Aria says that she’ll go and it’s obvious that she has to force herself to let go of Mom’s hand. He asks who the woman is. Aria doesn’t answer. A nurse comes and asks about Aria signing as Mom’s guardian and paying the bill. Without a word, Aria signs using Emma’s name.