Daphne Makes Her Move on Carter — and Ridge’s Decision Leaves Brooke in Tears

At Forrester Creations, Taylor informs Brooke that Ridge has moved on… it would be healthy for her to do the same. Brooke turns to Ridge and tells him, “I’m your Logan. The love of your life, just like you’re the love of mine.” She wants to move past this and get back to building their future. “I need you to come home. Just come back to me where you belong.” Taylor shakes her head in disbelief.

Taylor thought Brooke might have found a bit of class over the years, but she was wrong. She’s always throwing herself at Ridge. The only reason she’s there is because she took the CEO position at Forrester, once again showing her true colors. Brooke protests that she did it to convince Carter he was wrong… and now Ridge is back. This horrible chapter is behind them. She tells Ridge they need to heal. “We need to be together and move forward.” She wants that and believes he does too. Brooke reiterates that it’s time to move on. Taylor couldn’t agree more. Brooke asks Ridge to come home. “Tell me that’s what you want too.”

In the design office, Steffy tells Daphne she wasn’t supposed to fall for Carter. Her friend says he’s an amazing man. Steffy hopes he still is after all of Hope’s manipulations. Finn comes in and kisses his wife. She tells him it’s an amazing day for the company. Finn learns it’s official… the LLC papers were torn up and they have Forrester back. Daphne nods, “Thanks to Carter.” Steffy says Hope didn’t show an ounce of remorse. She always plays the victim. Daphne couldn’t agree more. She excuses herself to check on something. Steffy teases, “Something or someone?”

Hope Rejects Carter

At the cabin, Hope never thought Carter of all people would betray her. He knows she’s hurting… but he’s been by her side this entire time. He risked everything because he loves her! Hope argues he threw it all away. Carter says it was time to make things right. She guesses that means him getting to keep his position while she loses hers. Carter will fix that, but what they have is bigger than Forrester. They can’t give up on it! Hope tells him if he ever cared for her, or about them, he would have walked out of there with her today. He’s sure Ridge and Eric can convince Steffy to hire her back. Hope asks if he’s serious… they’re not going to listen to him after what he did. They only kept him because their egos are too big to believe their good little soldier betrayed them… it’s easier to blame her. Carter’s sorry. She retorts, “No, you’re not. You had a chance to stand with me today and you chose that family instead.”

Carter fumes. He can’t believe Hope is questioning his loyalty to her after everything he’s done for her. Hope scoffs, “Loyalty? You kissed Daphne, Carter.” He abandoned her when she needed him the most. Carter says he chose his conscience. He felt terrible but she wouldn’t listen. Hope rebuts that they knew the fallout would be difficult, but they agreed to do it together. Carter says, “Then, let’s do it together… unless…” She asks, “Unless what?” He says unless he’s no longer desirable because he’s not in a position to help her. Hope laughs, “There it is. So, Ridge and Steffy finally got into your head. You think I’m using you.” Carter doesn’t, but he does think she fell for him because of everything he was willing to sacrifice for her. Every man in her life has let her down. “And here comes Carter, your knight in shining armor. And the second I do something you don’t like, I’m gone!” Hope asks if he remembers the last time she was fired. He said if he’d been there, he wouldn’t let it happen. “You had your chance today and you let it happen.” Carter loves her and doesn’t want this to be over. Hope accuses him of making a deal with Ridge and Eric behind her back and setting her up. She no longer sees the man she fell in love with. “Goodbye Carter.” Carter walks out.

Daphne Supports Her Man

Later, Carter sits behind the desk in the design office and looks forlornly at a photo of Hope. He flashes to Daphne telling him she was using him. Suddenly, Daphne enters and asks if he’s OK. He says not really… Hope believes he betrayed her and wants nothing to do with him. Daphne shrugs, “Her loss. It takes courage to face your wrongs and do what’s right.” She was going to go back to Paris, but she can’t leave now. “Because I’ve never met a man like you, Carter Walton.” Carter can’t tell her how much he appreciates her. “But I’m really messed up right now.” He complains that Ridge and Eric broke their promise. Daphne hedges, “After you broke their trust. But you did the right thing.” Carter tells her he’s not this “good guy”. Daphne says the Forresters gave him a second chance because they see what she sees… a remarkable man full of integrity. He says his heart is broken. Daphne replies that it’s broken because he gave it to the wrong person. Daphne tells Carter that Hope left him; he needs to leave her too. He says it’s not that easy. Daphne says he’s carried his guilt long enough. “You did the right thing. Don’t for a second regret it.” Carter asks, “Even if it means I lost Hope.” Daphne thinks he should feel free, like a weight has lifted. He doesn’t. She says he will. “I’m here for you.” They embrace.

In the cabin, Hope flashes to better times with Carter and cries. She then remembers the scene in the office at Forrester and him deciding to stay. Eh, rather than look back, maybe she should look forward — to the new love that may already be in store.

Steffy and Finn Discuss Brooke

At the cliff house, Steffy and Finn discuss her feeling like a weight has been lifted now that the company is back. It’s more than a business… it’s a home. She reflects on all the memories she has there since childhood. Steffy always wanted to runt he company and make her family proud. She muses that they’ve dealt with one Logan, now they just have to deal with another, who is even more cunning. Finn nods, “Brooke.” Steffy confirms it. She wanted to talk to her father, probably to advocate for her daughter, but she never misses an opportunity to throw herself at Ridge. She’s probably trying to worm her way back into his life. She wishes she could have fired Brooke as well, but another argument was the last thing they needed. She hopes she doesn’t get into her father’s head and guilt-trip him away from her mom.

Ridge Makes His Choice

In the main office, Ridge tells Brooke it’s been a big day for his family; for his dad. She’s happy for them, but notes not everything has been restored. Taylor says, “It’s nothing that Ridge and Steffy can’t fix.” Ridge loves and respects both of them, but it’s time to look to the future. “You’ve got to move on.” He hates the idea of hurting either one of them. Ridge recaps that Taylor has known that Brooke will always be his Logan. He was reminded of their destiny in Rome, “But it didn’t work, did it?” He’s made a commitment and he’s going to keep that commitment. Brooke warns, “Don’t do this.” Ridge says he’ll always love Brooke, but his future is with Taylor. Brooke walks out and cries in the hallway. (She might dry those tears, though, if she knew the line of men who could be forming a line outside her door. Look at all the great guys who could give Brooke a fresh start.)