Christel Khalil’s Maternity Leave From Y&R Explains Why Lily Suddenly Left Town

Although The Young and the Restless star Christel Khalil did not make a formal announcement that she was expecting her third child, fans knew Lily Winters’ time in Genoa City would soon be put on pause after the actress posted a photo in October with a visible belly bump. That moment arrived in the January 7 episode, when Lily announced she was leaving town — setting the stage for Khalil’s maternity leave and potentially explosive fallout for Cane.

Key Takeaways

• Christel Khalil’s real-life pregnancy triggers Lily’s exit from Genoa City.
• This isn’t Khalil’s first maternity break on Y&R.
• Lily leaves just as Cane thinks he’s finally getting through to her.
• Cane’s future may darken while Lily is gone.

Dancing The Bump

On October 27, 2025, the obviously pregnant actress appeared in a social media video dancing with her Y&R castmates. The clip confirmed what fans had already begun to suspect.

Khalil and her husband, Sam Restagno, welcomed their first son together, and she revealed his name, “Remy,” in March 2024. She is also mom to 15-year-old son Michael Caden from a previous relationship.

How Y&R Handled Khalil’s Last Pregnancy

This isn’t the first time Y&R has written Lily off-screen for Khalil’s maternity leave. When the actress was pregnant with Remy, she took a three-month break from the show.

At that time, Lily also left Genoa City in December 2023 to be with Mattie and returned to the canvas in March 2024 — a timeline that could offer clues about how long fans might expect Lily to be gone this time around.

How the Show Hid Lily’s Pregnancy

For months, eagle-eyed viewers noticed subtle wardrobe changes as the soap worked to conceal Khalil’s pregnancy. Lily was frequently seen in looser clothing and carrying oversized bags, necessary because her character was not pregnant. Story-wise, Lily has been single since her brief and promising romance with Damian (Jermaine Rivers) ended in July 2025 when he died on screen in France.

Since then, Cane has made repeated attempts to win his ex-wife back, insisting he’s still the man she once loved — even as Lily remains unconvinced.

Cane’s Desperation Reaches a Breaking Point

Cane’s pursuit intensified as he tried to prove he could change, culminating in a stolen kiss on New Year’s Eve. But when he followed up, Lily brushed it off as a moment of weakness and reiterated that she was leaving town.

When Cane offered to step back if she reconsidered — and she refused — his frustration boiled over, accusing Lily of running away rather than facing her feelings.

Yet as Lily packed her bags, it was clear the kiss meant more to her than she was willing to admit.