 Unfortunately, Mercedes' happiness is short-lived, when Joe's mother Sandy insists that Joe's children, JJ and Lexi, move to South Africa so she can look after them, breaking Mercedes' heart, but, Sandy allowed her to visit them anytime she wants.In December 2016, she sleeps with Ryan Knight (Duncan James), who was engaged to Amy Barnes (Ashley Slanina-Davies).Amy is later murdered in March 2017.