The Young And The Restless Explainer: Diane's Complicated Love Life

When Diane Jenkins returned to Genoa City, Jack Abbott pursued her, finally intending to commit to a relationship. However, "Y & R" fans watched his sworn enemy, Victor Newman (Eric Braeden), intervene and exploit Diane's doubts about Jack's intentions. Victor pushed the right buttons and married Diane, but the union didn't last long as Victor divorced her when Nikki Newman (Melody Scott) was available and on her deathbed. He promised to marry her after Nikki's supposed passing, but when Nikki survived, Victor remarried her, leaving Diane scorned once again.

She attempted artificial insemination using Victor's frozen sperm, but Nikki sabotaged the plan by swapping the vials. A subsequent DNA test revealed that the child was not Victor's, so a frustrated and heartbroken Diane left Genoa City again. Diane eventually returned and discovered that Jack was the father of her baby. However, by then, Jack had moved on with Phyllis Summers, Diane's longtime enemy.

Determined to break them apart, Diane used their son Kyle as leverage, but her tactics took a darker turn when she attempted to frame Phyllis for attempted murder. When she was caught, Phyllis and Jack used this opportunity to blackmail her for custody of Kyle. Struggling financially and emotionally, Diane found herself seeking comfort in the arms of Victor Newman once again. However, things got complicated when Victor's son, Nicholas Newman (Joshua Morrow), also developed feelings for her.