As ONE LIFE TO LIVE’s Nora continues to linger in a coma, rumors persist that Hillary B. Smith’s time on the soap is quickly coming to an end. But don’t expect to see Llanview’s holiday revelers having to don black. According to the soap’s headwriter, Dena Higley, Nora may be down, but she’s not out…yet.

A source reveals that contract talks have fallen through between Smith and the show, and the actress will exit early in the new year. Other insiders add that because the soap waited  until the last minute to approach the actress about renegotiating, she has been exploring other options. Smith has played Llanview’s top attorney since 1992; her present deal is set to expire this month. And while a show rep reminds us that they do not comment on contract negotiations, Higley indicates that Nora will be sticking around…at least for the moment!