Against All Odds Chapter 114 “ Taylor’s Truce”
Taylor put a dab of moisturizer under her eyes before she rubbed it on her skin. She finished her nightly ritual before her fingers found stands of her now shorted highlighted hair. She ran her fingers through her hair. She loved her cut. She wasn’t the only one. Ridge too had told her how sexy she had looked. Looking at herself she smiled softly. Her husband was waiting downstairs to take her out to a romantic dinner at the private dinning room. She turned from the vanity where she had been sitting and unzipped the garment bag. As usual; her husband had outdone himself with this design. Ridge had stated that she had been so giving and wonderful especially after the day that she had had, that she had deserved a night on the town. Katherine was watching the children and Bridget was going out with her girlfriends at the movies. Tonight would have been perfect, if it weren’t for Brooke and what she had done. Taylor frowned her memory going back to the conversation earlier that day. {Flashback}

The children had been tested and now it was a matter of time to figure out if they were going to be a match. Dr. Levine had told them that the test results would be in the next day. Brooke stood. “Thank you for all that you’ve done. We will be back the day after tomorrow to see if the girls and Thomas match.”
“ It takes so long?”
“ It’s three of them. We want to make sure we aren’t hasty. With children we run a few more tests then adults.” Dr. Levine put her hand on Brooke’s back. “Don’t worry. I’ll try to put a rush on it for you.”
“Thank you doctor.”
Thomas looked up at his father tugging at Ridge’s pants.. “ Dad. Can we have some ice cream?”
Ridge looked down at his son.“Sure kiddo.” He said ruffeling his son’s hair. “You did a great job buddy.” He looked at his wife. “How about we take the kids to the ice cream shop across the street. You too budge.” He winked at Bridget.” He asked his wife.
Taylor nodded. “ I’ve got a few calls to make. Honey I’ll catch up with you.” She looked at Brooke. “ Brooke, do you mind if you and I talk.”
Ridge looked at Taylor then back at Brooke. “ Doc, are you sure that it’s a good idea?”
“ It’s okay. Ridge.” Brooke said. “I think that Taylor and I should clear the air.”
“ Mom.” Bridget looked at her mother. She didn’t want another disagreement between her mother and Taylor.
Brooke lovingly touch one of her daughter’s longer locks on her hair.“ Sweetheart everything will be fine.” Brooke looked at Taylor. “ Won’t it Taylor.”
“ Yes it will.” Taylor kissed her husband children and watched them as they left.
Brooke crossed her arms in front of her. “ So, we are all alone.”
“ Yes, we are. .”
“Is there somewhere we can talk?”
Taylor thought for a moment.“ My old office it belongs to a friend of mine who is out of town at the moment. She won’t mind if we talk there.” Taylor suggested Brooke followed Taylor. Brooke walked into the office followed by Taylor. Taylor wasn’t sure where to begin. The woman was standing there sizing her up. A part of her couldn’t stand the arrogant look on Brooke’s face but told herself to ignore it, after all Brooke was going through hell. She pointed to the burgundy sofa where Brooke sat. She took the chair next to it. “ Watching you today with Bridget it was difficult. Especially after listening to Dr. Levine and how painful this entire process is for your daughter and my children.”
“ You are a doctor Taylor surely you didn’t think that this was going to be a walk in the park, did you?” Brooke shot back.
“ No. But I didn’t realize just how difficult this was on everyone, especially you. Today when I saw my children hurting I thought about how much I wanted to take their pain away.” Taylor pushed a strand of her hair behind her ear. “ I felt helpless.” Brooke’s eyes narrowed but Taylor continued. “ There I was. Their mother and I couldn’t do anything to take my own children’s pain away. I know it’s silly because I know that they are fine but when you see your child in pain it hurts deeply.”
“I know all about that. I do have children as well as you do. And though you probably don’t believe me, I am sorry that your children have to go through this process but it’s nothing compared to what Bridget is going through. Or what I have to go through.”
“ I know that.” Taylor replied.
“ Do you?” Brooke asked disbelieving.
“ Yes. Today….uh…I guess for the first time Bridget’s condition became real to me. As a mother. I share you pain. I really want to apologize to you for the way that I’ve acted toward you. I let my personal feelings get in the way of what was important. Bridget. Because she’s the reason we are here.” Taylor walked over toward the bay window to look down at the shops across the street where her husband and children were. She paused as if what she was going to say was difficult. “You were right.”
“ Right about what?”
“ When we found out that Bridget was Ridge’s all the insecurities that I had about you came back. Because there I was again, a woman married to a man who shared a child with a woman who he shared a deep connection with. It ate at me. A huge part of me wanted desperately for those test to be wrong because that meant sharing Ridge with Bridget and you. We had just found each other again. It just wasn’t fair to me or my children.” Taylor turned toward Brooke. “Listen Brooke. You and I aren’t friends.”
“ You’ve got that right.” Brooke said crossing her arms in front of her with her face set in stone. She couldn’t stand Taylor or her self righteous attitude.
“I don’t trust you when it comes to my husband.” Brooke sighed .Taylor’s eyes snapped with anger. How dare Brooke make light of her feelings. “You’ve tried to break up my marriage more than once. Can’t you understand how I feel?”
“ You broke up my marriage too or does that not count. In fact there were two of them. Somehow you’ve never seen yourself a home wreaker.”
“ It was different. Ridge was my husband. He never belonged to you.”
Brooke unfolded her arms taking a step toward Taylor. “He’s always belonged to me.” Her eyes narrowed into a squint.” Before you came into Ridge’s life. I was there. You know and I know it. That’s why you were always afraid of me. Why else would you advice me to stay away from Ridge when he was grieving for Caroline while all the while you took advantage of him as a doctor? A doctor.” Brooke shook her head with disgust. “Why else would you stand steadfast to his obsessive mother who didn’t want you anywhere near her son when you first met?” Taylor flinched. She didn’t like being told that Stephanie hadn’t liked her from the start. “Because it benefited you.” Brooke continued. “But I think you know that. You’ve always been afraid Taylor. All the times you’ve taken him back you’ve known that deep down if the playing field were leveled that you might not win.”
“ This isn’t a game.” Taylor stated irritated that Brooke would even equate it to that.
“ No. It isn’t.” Brooke said miserably. “The truth is none this doesn’t even matter because I don’t want your husband. You can’t get that through your head. I’m with Caspian and I love him.”
“ You’ve always loved my husband. Don’t you understand what that is like for me? You work with him. You are around him constantly, this beautiful blonde who is this sexy siren. I once heard my own husband claim that I shouldn’t worry because the entire planet wants you. You know how to dress it up and put it out there like no other.”
“ I’m not putting anything out to him Taylor. If I was, do you really think he’s be with you?” Brooke answered sarcastically. She was pissed off that it constantly went back to her sins.“ If only I did half the things you think.” Brooke looked down. Angry that they were back in the same place all over again. “ And for your information it’s not just me loving him, he’s always loved me too.” Taylor reacted as if Brooke had slapped her. Brooke shook her head in disbelief. “My daughter is fighting for her life and you are making it about you and your insecurities. My god, Taylor. I don’t want Ridge. Get that through your head.I don’t want your husband! And even if I did, this is not about him. It’s not about you. It’s not even about me. It’s about Bridget.”
Taylor nodded.“ I know. That’s what I’m trying to say Brooke. I know that now. I saw that today. I realized today how scared you really are of losing her.” Brooke didn’t answer her lips tightened into thin line. “I don’t want to fight anymore. It isn’t productive to you, me, Ridge or Bridget.” Taylor stepped forward. “ I’m asking for you to try to respect my family, my marriage and my relationship with Bridget. In turn I will do the same.” Taylor held out her hand. “What do you say Brooke. How about a truce?”
Brooke looked at Taylor disbelieving her eyes.

Taylor’s mind returned to the present. She started the brush her hair, the ends of the her hair curling up against her face. Touching her face she looked for lines are any sign of aging on her nearly perfect face. Brooke, she noted had a few small lines around her eyes when she smiled, regretfully it didn’t diminish her beauty Taylor thought. Her mind went back to her hospital.
“A truce?” Brooke asked suspiciously.
“ Yes.” She answered.
“ Just like that? For no reason you want to suddenly get along with me.”
Taylor realized that Brooke wasn’t going to make it easy for her.“ I know that I was wrong.”
“ Yes, you were. You were very wrong.” Brooke paused for a moment. “ But it’s a little too late for this contrived acts of yours now.”
Taylor couldn’t believe what she was hearing. “ An act? You think that this was an act.” She was insulted.
“ Yes, and not a very good one.” Brooke stood.“ You really need to work on your acting skills because you might fool Ridge with this apologetic act but not me. You’ve got them all snowed. The beautiful caring doctor who is selfishness wife, a doting mother and good friend.” Brooke rolled her eyes. “All I see is a very selfish woman whose afraid that I’m going to open my mouth to her husband and ruin her farce of a marriage..” Brooke titled her head to the side as if sizing Taylor up. “It’s funny because I might have bought this act if it weren’t for your behavior yesterday. You played your hand too soon. Do you really think that I’ve forgotten that? ”
Taylor found it difficult to swallow. The truth had a way of hurting. “ True. I wanted to hurt you but I know realize.”
“ You got caught in that lie.” Brooke angierly reminded her. And now you are so frightened that you are forced playing it nice with me until you feel that the threat has passed. Then what? Use a suttle nuances to Ridge that you’d be a better mother to my daughter than me. How about the little speech you gave me yesterday, it was so impassioned. Am I to believe you no longer feel that way.”
“ Bridget needs consistency.”
“What Bridget needs is none of your business.” Brooke replied tired of Taylor’s so called concern for her daughter. “ You aren’t her mother. I AM. All you are is someone trying to impress her husband with newfound feelings for my daughter. Feeling that aren’t even real. I can only imagine what else you planned. Where you going to enlist Stephanie’s help? Oh yes, she’s got her own problems dealing with the fact that Eric has plans to divorce her. So what were you going to use to convince Ridge, sex?” Brooke watched the emotions pass on Taylor’s face, shock, chagrin and guilt. Brooke laughed amused. ‘Sweetheart, I doubt that would have worked. You would have to be a hella lot better in bed than you’ve been in the past.” Taylor’s face flushed with anger. “Surprised. Your husband talks, a lot.” Brooke moved in for the kill. “ I’m smarter than you on your best day. I see through this act of yours.” Brooke opened her briefcase and pulled out the letter. “ Here. This is what really want isn’t it?”
Taylor looked at the letter. She couldn’t believe that she had actually tried to talk to Brooke as a human being. She had felt for her as a mother. “Brooke you need to listen to me….”
“ There is nothing to listen to Taylor. I don’t believe you. I don’t trust you. And frankly, I don’t like you. You are playing a very dangerous game with my daughter pretending to care about her when know that you don’t give a damn about her. So you might as well drop the act. We are all alone. Ridge isn’t here or your adoring friends. You and I both know the real reason that you allowed Thomas and the twins to be tested.” Brooke waved the letter in front of Taylor. “ So take it. You’ve held up your end of the bargain. Because I know who and what you are. An adulterer. A liar. A manipulator.”
Taylor was irritated by Brooke’s smug look and superior attitude. She snatched the letter out of her hand before giving Brooke a look of pure hate. “ I don’t why I even bother.”
Taylor’s mind came back to the present. She began to rub Lancome Re-Densifying and Strengthing Cream on her face while trying to understand how her husband could have ever loved such a woman.

 

 

Beth followed Olivia into her suite foyer and down the slight step into it’s huge living area. You know that I don’t like being summoned. Especially at the last minute.”
“ I didn’t think that it was a summons. I thought that we might talk. Olivia headed over toward the silver tray sitting on the expensive coffee table. “Would you like something to eat? I have dinner plans but I have some canapés and other treats for a light snack.”
“ No. Thanks you.” Beth sat down not wanting to spend time on idle things such as food. “ Olivia. I don’t mean to be impatient with you. It just becomes hard lying to my husband where I’m going. He had wanted to take me out to dinner with some very old friends tonight.”
“ I understand Beth.” Olivia poured herself some tea. Her eyes glanced across the artfully decorated suite with it’s dark orange and yellow hues, the decorative window dressing that swept down to the floor toward the huge bouquet flower arrangement sitting on the center table that graced the foyer. The flowers had been waiting for her when she had gotten back from her son’s earlier that day from Eric. He was a very sweet man. He had also left a message wanting to have dinner. After the day she had, she could think of nothing she’s like more than dinner with Eric.
“ So, what’s going on?” Beth asked.
Olivia sipped her tea. Her eyes peered up at Beth, who was wearing a fine pumpkin colored wrap around top with cream wide leg pants along with a gold tired necklace. Olivia could see where her daughter got her looks from.“ I’m not quite sure how to tell you this but just to come out and say it. I met your daughter today.”
“ You did.”
“She was at Caspian’s penthouse when I went to talk with him about a family matter.”
Beth frowned.“ I thought you weren’t on good terms with your son.”
“ We aren’t.” Olivia whispered regretfully. “ I concerned about my daughter. I must admit when I saw with him, he was happier than I’ve seen in many years. Olivia put her cup down. “There was a light in his eyes that I haven’t seen ever. It was because of your daughter. She has caused this change in him.”
“ That doesn’t surprise me. My daughter is a wonderful woman. Any man would be lucky to have her. But what does any of this got to do with me?” Beth questioned.
“ I can’t go through with our original plan Beth.”
Beth’s eyes sparked with trepedation. Her heart began to pace.“ What? We both agreed that our children weren’t suited for her other. We had to break them up.”
“ I know but after seeing them today. I finally see the truth. He loves her. He really loves her.” There was a look of pure joy on Olivia’s face. “He’s got a second chance at love.” She uttered excitedly clasping her hands together. “I can’t take that away from him.”
“ Oh and that makes it alright. He killed Lark but lets forget about that so now he can move on with Brooke. Just because he’s happy.”
Olivia felt for Beth. She understood her anger. “ I know you are upset.”
“ He killed my daughter!” Beth jumped up and turned stalking toward the French doors that lead to the balcony.
Olivia came up behind her slowly. Beth was disturbed, she didn’t want to rattle the woman. She really liked her. During the time they spent together they had begun to talk about other things besides their children and found they had a few things in common. She felt sympathy for the woman who had given up one of her children to save the rest. “ No. He didn’t. He loved her. Her death was an accident and he’s paid for it.”
Beth turned her head sideways. “ He’s a monster. A killer.”
Olivia’s eyes turned slightly cool.“ He’s a man who grew up in a very violent family with a mother who should put her foot down and protected her children. I’m to blame for that, no Caspian. When he met Lark she touched the softer side of him. But he couldn’t change for her he didn’t have the power or maybe the will to do it.” Olivia turned Beth around to face her. “ I thought that he was fooling himself that he only wanted Brooke because she looks like Lark. But he loves your daughter but not because she reminds him of Lark. I could see that today. They are so different your two girls. I know that you are hurting because you think that you didn’t protect your daughter but don’t feel that way. I knew Lark and her kind heart. She would have loved you Beth. She also would have forgiven you.”
Beth felt a mixture of emotions. Guilt, anger and now a great deal of distrust toward Olivia. After all she had had the relationship with her daughter that she never had. “ Why should I trust you?”
“ Because I loved Lark as if she were my own daughter. She wouldn’t begrudge Caspian happiness.”
“ With her own sister.” Beth scoffed.
Olivia nodded. “ It’s complicated. I will be the first to admit that.”
“ I wont’ allow him to hurt my baby. If you won’t help me. I’ll find someone else who would.”
“ It’s futile now.”
“ What do you mean?.”
“ Caspian knows the truth about Lark. About you and Sam. About you giving up Lark.” Olivia explained.
Beth’s whole world stopped. “ What. No. What did you do!”
“ I didn’t do anything. Caspian investigated the matter. He found out.”
“ How?”
“ My son has ways you know that. He is a very powerful man.”
“ I know all about his ways. His murdering ways. He killed my daughter.”
“ I know you are angry” Olivia said calmly “ But calling Caspian names isn’t going to help when we know it isn’t true.
“ It will when tell my Brooke what kind of life your son has lead. He’s killed people and you know it. He had too. Carlos told me all about that family of yours.”
Olivia grabbed Beth by the arm. “ I wouldn’t do that if I were you. You are only going to make matters worse.”
“Get your hands off of me. Are you threatening me?”
“ No. Beth I’m not. You see finding out about Caspian’s family isn’t the least of your worries. He plans to tell Brooke the truth. Tonight.”
The color drained out of Beth’s face. “ No.” Her hands began to shake. “ He can’t do that. I won’t let him.”
“ He doesn’t want to lie to her anymore.” Olivia was startled when Beth ran to get her purse and headed for the door. “ Beth, please wait.”
Beth shot Olivia a murderous glare.“ I can’t believe I trusted you. He’s going to ruin her life. How did he think that taking away the only father that she ever had is going to help her?” Beth ran out of the suite leaving Olivia stunned. She hurried down the hallway and pushed button on the elevator. She called Brooke’s cell phone. “ Come on honey pick up the phone.” All she got was the answering machine. “Damn it Brooke answer your phone.” Beth killed the elevator door as the panic set in.

Ridge had gotten dressed in one of the guest bedrooms to give Taylor the privacy that she needed. Tonight was going to be just for the two of them something they hadn’t had in such a long time. Today, after the test, they had a family therapy session and things were going nicely. He and Taylor were closer than ever. They were rebuilding the trust that he had broken. Ridge knew that he had made so many mistakes in his life. With his mother, allowing her to have such an influence over his decisions. With Brooke, not standing up for the woman he loved treating her badly by going back and forth between her and Taylor. It had been pure ego. He hadn’t wanted to make a true choice for fear of disappointing his mother. Brooke would always be the biggest regret in his life. He knew through therapy that he had to take a look at his actions and his feelings. Ridge was willing to do that, privately. He also had admitted to himself that he was still in love with Brooke. Deep down he knew that he’d always love her. She owned a part of his heart that nobody could ever touch. But was all it could be. Those feelings were behind him now. He had a family and a wife whom he loved and was committed to. Brooke had moved on regardless of his dislike of Caspian. Though there was something about the man that he didn’t trust. But based on the background check that he had his private investigator do on him, there was nothing he could use against the man. He would have admit, that no man not even his brother, was good enough for Brooke in his eyes. But it was time to let those feelings go. Brooke had a life and so did he. He had a very good life, one he wasn’t going to allow anyone to take away. Starring into the mirror he couldn’t help to think of what happened early today.

Brooke had been in the office working on some paperwork when he knocked on her door.
“ Logan.” He stuck his head in the office.
Brooke looked up and smiled when she saw him. “Ridge come on in.” She stood to put the files away. He couldn’t help but to rake in her beauty. The woman was sexy and she knew it. But today, there was a glow about her. When she moved, he got a glimpse of her naked back and it’s tight muscles. Brooke was a woman who knew how to take care of herself. She also was a wonderful mother to Rick and Bridget. His daughter had turned out to be a sweet sensitive girl with a giving heart. He knew that it was because of Brooke’s influence.
“I just wanted to talk to you about today.”
“ Today? Oh, you mean the hospital.” Brooke gave him a quick glance before she looked down to finish cleaning her desk.
“ Logan. About Bridget’s haircut.” He ran his fingers through his partially graying hair. “I didn’t know that it was going to bother you.” Ridge took the seat across from Brooke. “ I wouldn’t have allowed it if I knew that Taylor was crossing some boundary. I know that you think that she’s trying to take your place but she isn’t.”
If only Ridge knew the truth, Brooke thought. But she wouldn’t tell him. Brooke looked at the man that she had loved most her lifetime. Ridge was getting older. Oh, he was still handsome and fit as ever. There were gray strains intertwined in his hair that hadn’t been there a year ago. In her opinion they only made him look more distinguished. Today he wore all black, a black silk shirt with woven lines and black pants. But there were suttle changes, the small shadows under his eyes. Brooke had recognized them. They were worry lines. He was worried about Bridget and Dylan. As much as Brooke hated Taylor at the moment, she wouldn’t take away the wife that Ridge loved.
“ Ridge don’t worry. Your wife and I worked things out.”
“ What happened between you too?”
“ Nothing. She only wanted to talk more about the haircut. She didn’t want me to misunderstand that it was Bridget’s idea.”
“ She does look beautiful Logan.”
Brooke’s mouth turned up slightly. “Yes she does. Did you see her face? I never noticed how exquisite it was. Her eyes, her nose the entire face. She looks like a model. If I weren’t her mother I’d photograph her for one of our ads.”
“ I know.’ Ridge thought about the men who had been looking at his daughter in the ice cream shop earlier that day. Bridget was naïve about her beauty, which made her an easy target. He’s have to keep an eye out. Ridge looked at Brooke. “ She had your beauty Logan.” He whispered.
Brooke smile faltered a bit. She stared into Ridge’s eye seeing the truth she didn’t want it see. It would only complicate matters. It wasn’t what Ridge had said. It was the way that he had said it. Ridge hadn’t meant it but there was a desire in his tone. In that moment there was a connection there hadn’t been there in such a long time. They both felt it. Ridge looked away trying to shake whatever had happened in that moment slightly embarrassed by feelings he had pushed away, or at least tried don. Brooke looked down at her desk nervously. Brooke knew that there were old feelings that ran deep but that was in the past. She and Ridge would have to be able to care and love each other as parents to Bridget, nothing else. He had a life with Taylor, a family and she’d never try to take that away from him. Not because of Taylor, she hated her but because Ridge deserved happiness. As for her, Caspian she knew, was made for her. He had been the only man to really make her forget about Ridge altogether. He had stood by her, defended her and supported her. He loved her passionately, and she wouldn’t begin to think about the sex or else she’d get wet right here in front of Ridge. Caspian had made her feel protected, loved, cherished and the most important woman in his life. There were not obsessive mothers, although he had issues with his or crazy ex-wives. More importantly she loved him deeply with all of her heart. She hadn’t been able to have that before. With Eric, he had protected her and loved her but the problem had been her. She just didn’t feel passion with him. She cared about him but it was more of a fatherly love she felt for him. With Thorne, she had loved him and they might have been able to make it work because he had been her friend to grew to her fantastic lover but he had cheated on her. If she were honest she also knew that although she had loved Thorne, she had wanted Caspian in a way that being with Thorne may not have stopped. She shuttered to think what would have happened if she and married Thorne and given into her desire for Caspian. As for Ridge, he had a hold on her. He knew it. She knew it. She also knew she had a hold on him. However she wasn’t the same person she had been all those years ago. Her life wasn’t centered around him anymore. She loved the person she was now even with all the drama. Because she was confident, sexy, happier than she’d ever been. Caspian had given her the confidence she had needed. She didn’t need a man to make her who she was but having Caspian by her side made her feel invincible. He made her feel alive.
“ Well I just wanted to make sure that everything was cool with us. I’ve got to get back to work.” Ridge stood and paused for a moment. “ Have you seen dad today? I went to his office but he wasn’t there.”
“ No. I haven’t” a look crossed Brooke’ face.
“What?”
“ It’s nothing.”
“ No. It wasn’t. Logan I know you. “ What happened”?
“ I’m not sure if you know but last night. He asked your mother for a divorce.”
“ What? That’s crazy.” What was his father thinking?
“ Is it?” Brooke stood and moved toward Ridge. “ I know that you don’t want to believe the worst about your mother. I can understand that but Ridge you have to begin to face the fact that your mother may have changed the paternity test in order to get me out of your life.”
“ You are starting to sound like Taylor.”
“ Taylor thinks that your mother changed the test?” This was news to Brooke. That didn’t sound like the Taylor she knew.
Ridge nodded. “ Look Logan. I know that mother has done a lot of horrible things to you. I’m not going to defend her. What she did to you, hurting you at Big Bear. There is no excuse for it. Mother becomes crazy when it comes to you.” Ridge touched Brooke’s hair gently caressing it.. “ You have a way of driving people crazy, especially men.
Brooke rolled her eyes and stepped out of Ridge’s caress. “ Blame me.”
Ridge smirked. “ You know that I could never do that.” He sighed. ‘Maybe that’s the problem I have for the women I love. When it comes to you and mother. I can’t see straight.”
“ Don’t compare me to your mother. I’m nothing like her.
Ridge held his hand out in front of him. “ Hey I’m not saying that but you two do have a lot in common. Just look at the men you love. You both inspire people.” Ridge reached out to touch the side of Brooke’s face. “ You both protect your family at all cost. That’s the thing about my mother that I know. She loves family. I just find it hard to believe that she’d sacrifice my daughter.’ He sighed heavily. “She loves me Logan. Like her meddling or not, my mother has always loved me. I don’t think that I’d be able to face it if she took away my daughter from me knowingly. Losing Bridget was the most painful experiences in my life, Logan. It was like losing Caroline all over again combined with and losing you.” He whispered. “ You may not have thought it was hard on me not having you as my wife because the way that I acted. But it was. However losing my daughter, I never got over that. Even when I pretended that I did.”
Brooke heard the pain in Ridge’s voice. She saw the tension in his eyes. She knew that it would take proof for him to believe the worst in her mother. “Ridge, I know that it’s hard for you to believe.”
“ She’s my mother. I can’t let go of that.”
“ I can understand that but sooner or later the truth will come out.”
“ I pray that you are wrong this time Logan.”

 

 

Ridge’s mind came back to the future to find himself standing in his living room with Bridget looking at him. “Dad, do you need help with your bowtie?”
“ I thought that you were going to the movies with your friends.”
“ It doesn’t start until 8:30.” Bridget helped to straighten her father’s tie. “I thought that I’d take a nap before I went.”
Ridge was concerned. “ Honey how are you feeling?”
“ Just a little tired but that’s part of the process. Besides, I had a long day with the kids today.”
“ You really like working there, don’t you?”
“ Yeah. I owe Eve a lot, she’s the one who got me the job. The kids are a lot of fun. Teaching them to like art is one of the coolest things that I’ve ever done. It really nice how they look up to you.” Bridget sat down on the sofa. “So, where are you taking Taylor?”
“ The private dinning room. It’s one of her favorite places.”
“ Oh.” Bridget shook her head. Her short hair hardly moving out of place on her head. She had changed out of the clothes that she wore earlier into a pair of low riding jeans and Pink Tarken shirt with a brown belt and short brown suede jacket. She wore long silver dangling earrings.“ Guys are the same no matter how old they get.”
“What do you mean?” Ridge asked.
“ You used to take my mom there. Isn’t is tacky to take both of your wives to the same place?” Bridget laughed. “ And they call you a Casanova.” She kissed her father on the cheek picked up the book she was reading “Dead Until Dark”, her bag of potato chips headed back to her bedroom while Ridge wondered if she were right.


Taylor finished putting the touches on her makeup. Her eyes were a smoky charcoal color to match her dress while her lips were a soft shade of blush topped off with lip-gloss. She took of her robe, slid her black lace panties on and then took the dress out of the bag. However her mind was once again brought to her old office.
Taylor watched letter burned down to nothing but ash in the ashtray. With the letter gone, she no longer had to worry about Brooke trying to ruin her marriage. Thank God for small favors. She had tried to offer Brooke a truce but she had decided not to take it. She bent down to pick up her black and white purse that matched her wrap around white blouse and a straight black skirt with a two inch pleated hem not to mention her black sling back shoes. Taylor looked very classy especially with her new haircut and diamonds in her ears. She looked back at Brooke. “ I don’t even know why I even tried with you.”
“ It was a wasted effort.”
“ Fine. If this is the way that you want it.” Taylor started towards the door then stopped turning toward her nemesis. “ Bridget deserves better than you for a mother. A real mother wouldn’t allow her personal feelings get in the way of doing what is best for her daughter.”
“ You see that is something that both you and I agree on. I am doing what’s best for my daughter by keeping an eye on you.”
“ I almost wish that the truth about Bridget would have come out years ago. Then maybe Ridge and I could have given her the home that she deserves.”
“ I don’t ever have to worry about that happening.”
“ Don’t be so sure. Once Bridget is well, Ridge just might begin to see things my way. We are rebuilding our marriage. Our family which includes Bridget.”
“ Oh. I wouldn’t be so sure about that.”
“ What do you mean?”
“ You see I’ve amended our little deal. You have your letter but I have a copy of it.”
Taylor looked at Brooke as if she grew another head. “ You said that you wouldn’t make copies.”
“ That was before yesterday and your scheme to have Ridge try to take my daughter. I’m just making sure that nothing like that happens. A little insurance policy.”
“ You broke your word.”
“ Yes, I did.” Brooke said with little remorse for her actions. “ I’m protecting my child against you. You’ll do anything to keep your marriage together and I’ll do anything for my daughter. So I have a copy just in case you get anymore idea of taking my daughter from me.” Taylor mind came back to the present. Brooke had indeed proven to be a threat to her marriage. She couldn’t allow that. Taylor slipped into the dress that her husband had designed for her knowing that tonight was the night.

Caspian sat in his office with a picture of his sister in his hand contemplating what to do about his sister while sadness mirrored on his face. His mother had been right. He had made a mess of things with regard to Bella . He and Pierce had a long discussion about Bella. Pierce thought that he could help his sister but that only could be accomplished was complete honesty about having to know all the truth’s about Bella’s history. That meant telling Pierce about the rape, Benito’s death and the loss of her baby. There were also other secrets as well. They were all the keys to unlocking the tower that Bella had created around her head. Caspian knew that he couldn’t do that without Bella agreeing. There were secrets, too many of them to divulge to Pierce without her consent. The family would frown on Pierce knowing certain information but for his sister he’d be willing to go against one of the cardinal rule. As far as he was concerned, his allegiance to his sister’s welfare was more important than the family. Leaning back in his leather chair he wondered about his own future with Brooke. He loved her. Lived and breathed for her. He smiled bitterly remembering all the times they had together. When he first met her on the elevator sitting on the floor eating a meal, the time they talked in the gazebo, the first time they made love on his private island, times they shared at her house making love or talking. She was an extraordinary woman. One of charm, warmth and beauty. She had enhanced his life in so many ways. Caspian poured himself a drink allowing the alcohol to coat his tongue and warm the chill growing inside of him. He had never been shaken before but he was. He was terrified that Brooke would find out the truth and leave him and his world utterly alone.


Beth arrived at Forrester creations to find her daughter was gone. “ Do you know where she went?” She asked Megan in s hurried state.
“No. Everybody seems to be disappearing today. First Eric and then Brooke. All I know is that she left more than an hour ago. I’ll leave her a message.”
“Good. Tell her I need to talk to her it’s very important. She needs to see me before she goes out with Caspian tonight.

Ridge hung up the phone with the Café Rouse, they were booked that night with some special private party and couldn’t take any other reservations. So, like it or not, the private dinning room would have to do. Besides, he was sure that Taylor wouldn’t focus on hid past dinners there. Also the new diamond and black pearl bracelet he had in his pocket, he was sure would make her forget everything but her love for him. Ridge looked at his watch wondering when his wife would come down when the doorbell rang. He expected Bridget’s friends but instead he found his mother. Ridge was surprised. “Mother.”
Stephanie stepped down into his house. She looked weary and worn out. Gone was the glamour or her new look instead she looked tired devoid of makeup and tired. “Ridge, I’ve got to talk to you. You are the only person that I can count on.” She pushed past him. Your father, he’s left me.” Stephanie sat down on the sofa.
“ I know.”
“ I can’t believe it. Forty years of marriage gone down the drain.” She reached out to her son. “ You’ve got to help me.”
Ridge felt sorry for her mother. He knew how much she loved his father yet at the same time, Brooke’s words nagged at him. “Mother. I know that you are upset but you’ve got to give dad time.”
“ Have you talked to him?” She asked with hope.
“No. He wasn’t at the office when earlier. He’s been gone most of the day.”
“ Then how did you know? The press doesn’t know yet, do they?”
“ No. They don’t. Thorne told me.” Not mentioning it was Brooke. The last thing he wanted was his mother starting on Brooke.
“ Your brother. I’m not surprised. Ever since he married Kimberly he’s hardy spoken to me.”
“ Can you blame him? He’s married unhappily to a teenager. That girl’s young enough to be his daughter. He’s miserable. I told him he should divorce her as soon as that baby comes.”
Stephanie ignored her Thorne’s problems. “You’ve got to talk to him. Your father.” She answered when she saw that Ridge didn’t understand which him she was talking about. That bitch, Brooke has poisoned his mind against me. She’s got him believing that I had that test changed. There is nothing that I can do to change his mind. You’ve got to talk to him. Talk some sense into him.”
Ridge mouth tightened. “I’m not sure what I can do.”
“ But you can. Ridge. You are my son. I love you. I swear on the lives of my grandchildren that I didn’t change that test. I wouldn’t do that to you or to Bridget. You’ve got to believe that.”
“ I want to believe you but I’m not sure what the truth is. I’ve seen the things that you’ve done to people that you love like Taylor.
“ Taylor is the perfect wife for you. She’s moral, responsible, kind. Everything that Brooke isn’t. A perfect mother for your children.”
“ Where you protecting my children when you told Taylor that you’d take them away from her when we were splitting up?” Ridge paced back and forth.
“ I didn’t mean that. I…” Stephanie blinked for a moment before she sat down in a defiantly. “ I only said that so Taylor would stay. I never meant it. You know that I love Taylor as if she were my daughter. I wasn’t thinking clearly.
Taylor chose that time to walk into living room. Ridge went to his wife. “Wow. Doc, you look captivating.” Taylor smiled at Ridge kissing him quickly.
Taylor turned toward Stephanie surprised to see her. “What’s going on here?
Stephanie looked at her daughter-in-law. Ridge was right, Taylor did look fantastic. She had a new haircut that did wonders for her already beautiful face. Taylor wore a glorious black dress. It was tight silhouette against her body with a silver jeweled bodice that ran from her shoulder down to right above her navel. Hints of skin showed under the bodice while Taylor’s marvelous bosom was hinted at. Black jeweled ties ran from her shoulders halfway down the dress. It was very sexy on Taylor and such a different look for her normal style of dress. Stephanie was impressed. She would have thought that Brooke, not her daughter-in-law. Would wear a dress like that.
Stephanie stood.“ Taylor, you look marvelous.”
“Thank you Stephanie.” Taylor said coolly.
Ridge noticed. “ Taylor, mother has something she wants do say to you. Don’t you mother.” He said giving her a pointed look.
“ I was telling Ridge how sorry I am for the threat that I made against you when you two were considering splitting up. I know that I hurt you. But I didn’t mean what I said. I thought that if I gave you motivation, you’d try to work things out with Ridge.”
“You call threatening to take my children from me motivation.
Tears filled Stephanie’s eye. “ It was misguided. I know that. You are like a daughter to me. I honestly didn’t mean to hurt you. Will you forgive me?”
Taylor looked at her husband who indicated that it was her decision, not his. She looked at Stephanie not sure if she could trust her. She hadn’t forgotten her treatment.
Stephanie took both of Taylor’ hands in her own. “ I was desperate to keep you in Ridge’s life. Morgan had used him. She set him up and wanted a family with him. She would have used her baby to trap him. Then there was Brooke I’m sure that Brooke had something to do with that tape being shown at her son’s party.”
“ Mother, that’s enough with Brooke bashing.” Ridge said regretting that his mother had come over.
“ You refuse to see that woman for who she is.” Her eyes turned to Taylor. “ But you know. What she’s capable of, don’t you. She’s like a plague ruining this family.”
“ For once, Stephanie, this isn’t about Brooke.” Taylor said surprising herself. “This was about our relationship. I thought you were like a mother to me. But you turned on me. I’m not sure if I’m ready to forgive you for that.”
Stephanie blinked. Surprised by the bitterness in Taylor’s words. Surely Taylor wasn’t saying that she hadn’t forgiven her. It took all of her restraint not to snap at the woman she had handed her son over to. After all, Taylor had been unfaithful to her son while she had protected her. How dare she judge her? “ I didn’t mean the things I said.” She said trying hard to suppress her own anger.
Taylor raised an eyebrow. She wasn’t sure what Stephanie’s game was. It was funny how her mother-in-law wanted her friendship again now that the rest of her family had turned their backs on her. Maybe she could use that for leverage. She had been a victim before but never again Taylor vowed. To Brooke or to Stephanie. Taking her time she picked up the beaded shawl that went with her ensemble wrapping it around her naked arms.“ I’m not sure what you meant Stephanie. But right Ridge and I have plans for tonight. We are focusing on our family and marriage. If you don’t mind I’d like it if you would leave.”
Stephanie’s face turned a blubberish red. “ Leave? “ She was taken aback by Taylor’s selfishness. She looked at her son for compassion. “ Eric has left me. How can you ask me to leave? Ridge? Are you going to allow her to do this?”
Ridge felt like a caged tiger trapped between his wife and mother. Long time ago it would have been difficult to make that choice but not anymore. Ridge was a new man. He wasn’t going to allow his mother to manipulate him anymore.” “Right now isn’t a good time.” He replied looking directly at his startled mother. I’m sorry that dad’s left you. I will try to talk to him but I can’t make any promises on how that is going to affect his decision.”
Stephanie thought that she was in the twilight zone. This couldn’t be her son turning against her. What the hell was happening? “Why are you doing this to me? Why are you turning against me?”
“Mother I’m not turning against you.” Ridge said putting his arm around his gorgeous wife. “ I’m simply being the man that I should have been years ago by putting the needs of my wife and family first. There are a lot of questions that I don’t have answers to. But I can’t answer them tonight. In the morning All I can try to talk to dad but right now my wife needs me.” Stephanie found it difficult to swallow. She looked at Taylor. There was a self-confidence that she had never seen in Taylor before. She wasn’t sure that she liked it. Stephanie looked at Ridge and Taylor; they were standing together as a couple. She had mixed feelings feeling upset that that didn’t seen concerned that Eric had left her yet happy that they had finally gotten back on track. “ I understand Taylor. You are trying to protect your family. Good but Brooke around you’ll need to do that. I know that you don’t believe….” She swallowed. “ That you don’t believe me but I am sorry for what I did you Taylor.”
Taylor watched as Stephanie heading toward the door. She thought about all the times that Stephanie had been there for her. Then she thought about Eric. According to the news, he was staying at Brooke’s house. That had to hurt her deeply. Taylor left the comfort of Ridge’s arms and went toward her old friend. “ Stephanie. Listen. I know we’ve got a lot to work out. Why don’t you come over tomorrow and have lunch with the kids and me. That will give you time with your grandchildren. And maybe we can talk. I won’t make any promises but I’ll try.”
Stephanie looked at Taylor grateful that she had pity on her. “ Thank you. Thank you so much Taylor.” She hugged her daughter-in-law before she left.
Ridge watched his wife as she closed the door behind her. “ Doc. I don’t know what to make of that. You’ve forgiven her?”
“Honestly, I don’t know. Maybe she is sorry for what she did.”
‘ So you don’t think that she had the test changed anymore?’
“ I still don’t know. But I do know one thing. If you mother did, I might be the only person she’d tell. We need to find out the truth. If she did it, then she has to go to jail. But if she didn’t then we might need to stand by her. As mad as I am with her losing your father is hurting her.”
Ridge looked at his wife and cupped her face. “That’s why I love you so much Doc. You are the most forgiving person that I ever met.

 

 

Droplets of rain started to splashed against the windshield of Brooke’s Mercedes as she headed back to Forrester Creations . She had received a call from John Quian right after Ridge had left her office and went right over to the lab to find out what she could about that infamous letter. Although she had a lot of do to get ready for the night she however she been dying to get information she needed to put Stephanie behind bars. That exhilaration she had had dissipated with John’s news. Brooke was still reeling from the discovery that John had made. It wouldn’t seem possible yet there the evidence was there. Evidence that Stephanie wouldn’t have managed to forge or manipulate no matter how much she would have wanted to. It didn’t seem possible yet John’s lab had evidence that pointed to another person other than Stephanie as a possible culprit in her daughter’s paternity issue. Her mind went back the previous conversation.

John hit a button and an image showed up on the screen. “As you can see there were 5 different finger prints on the letter. Yours, Eric Forrester, Ridge Forrester, Stephanie Forrester. Based on the information proved that would have been expected.”
“Because they all handled the letter.” Brooke interjected.
“Yes.” He answered as the picture unidentified fingerprint showed on the screen. “However lotas was able to find a match for prints entered in our criminal data base.”
Brooke brow furrowed. That meant someone who handled the letter had a criminal record.“ There was?”
“Yes. What was surprising is the prints was for a man that did time for attacking you.” Brooke mind went flashing back to the night of Rick’s party and horrorfic experience she endure when the man tried to force himself on her. Suddenly it was difficult for to breath. Her fingers gripped the chair she sat in, her knuckles white. Gunter was spending time in jail for drug running. If he hadn’t been for Caspian, he would have raped her. There were still nights she had nightmares about him. Even worse was the fact that Kimberly had set her up, something that she had kept from Thorne and the rest of the world.
John noted the change in Brooke’s body language. Her fear was noticeable. He knelt down by her chair. “ Brooke” He reached out to her. “Are you alright?”
Brooke tried to shake off her memories. He went to give her a glass of water. “Here drink this.” It took Brooke a few minutes to compose herself.
“ You were saying.” She whispered wanting to end this conversation.
“ Mike Guthrie.”
“ Mike Guthrie?” She was surprised.
“ Yes, there were his prints on the letter.”
This was news to Brooke. It didn’t make sense why Mike Guthrie’s fingerprints were on the letter. “Shelia.” Brooke whispered to herself confusing John. “ Mike was Shelia’s right hand man. How could he have handled the letter unless.”
“ Unless?” John asked unsure of what to say.
Awareness hit Brooke like a ton of bricks. Unless Shelia Carter had something to do with the letter from the beginning. She was mastermind of manipulation and had access to the hospital from her years of nursing. When this letter showed up Shelia had been very upset with her for ruining their “friendship”. She was very angry with Stephanie. Could it be that Stephanie really is innocent and this is some sort of scheme manufactured by Shelia all along had found a way to destroy the lives of the two women who hated her.
John saw the far away look in Brooke’s eyes. “ I hope that this evidence helps you. I’ve sent a copy of the letter and the result to the D.A. As you requested.”
“Huh?” She looked up at John. Brooke was in a daze. She had just given the prosecutor evidence that may in fact promote Stephanie innocence. Could it be that Stephanie didn’t have a thing to do with the test? Had Stephanie been telling the truth?
Brooke’s mind came back to present time she drove to Forrester. She pushed the speaker to her cell phone and dialed a number. When she got the answering machine, she left a message. “Lauren. This is Brooke; if possible I’d like to meet you tomorrow morning in my office. I need to talk to you about Sheila Carter.”

Caspian stepped out of the shower wrapping a towel around his body when the phone ran from the doorman downstairs of his penthouse. “Yes. Who? No. It’s all right. Send her up.” Caspian dried off quickly and threw on some underwear and a pair of jeans and a white shirt. He headed downstairs toward the double door to open it. This was the last visitor wasn’t one he had been expecting at all.
“We need to talk.” Brooke’s mother pushed him aside. “Now.” She demanded.
Caspian closed the door behind her. “You bastard.” Beth reached out to slap Caspian across his face when he caught her hand his hard grasp pulling her toward his strong body. Anger, hatred and fury rolled across her face like a volcano wanting to erupt at him. All the feelings she suppressed the last months came forward.
Caspian, who no longer felt the need to pretend.“ If I were you Beth.” He leaned forward his face close enough for his breath to brush across her face. “ I wouldn’t ever try to do something like that again.” He reluctantly let her hand go.
Beth rubbed her sore wrist glaring angrily at him.“ You killed my child! God how I hate you. I’ve hated you since you came into Brooke’s life.” Beth’s voice broke with pain and despair. “ My baby died because of you.”
“ Lark’s death was an accident.” Ca
“ because she was fighting with you.”
Indignation burned at the pit of his stomach. “ You gave her up as if she were nothing. You have no right to judge me. I loved her!” It ate away at Caspian that Beth would dare judge him when she had walked out of Lark’s life.
Beth looked at Caspian with amazement that he had to nerve to speak of love. “ Love.” She cackled bitterly. “Tell me how much do you love my daughter while you are sleeping with her sister. When you bed Brooke just which one are you sleeping with?”
Fire flashed in Caspian’s eyes and when he took a menacing step toward Beth she was rightfully frightened. “ What are you going to do? Kill me next?”
Caspian stopped moving. He saw the fear in Beth’s eyes. He wouldn’t hurt the woman. “No. I would never hurt you. No matter how angry you made me.”
“ You forget I know who you really are. What your family business entrailed at least part of it.” Beth moved to stand behind the piano giving herself enough space between she and Caspian. “ You are a murder. You have ties to unshady businessmen and who knows what other illegal activities.”
“ Brooke will know all about my past after tonight.”
“ No. I won’t let you destroy her. End things with her. Walk away.”
Caspian was surprised at Beth. Didn’t she comprehend that was the only thing he couldn’t do. She was frightened however. He could smell the fear rolling off of her. He sighed with exasperation. “ I can’t. You know that.” Beth saw the truth in his eyes.
“ You are going to tell her the truth, aren’t you?”
“ Yes.”
Beth’s bottom lip began to quiver with misery. “ Why? Why are you going to do this?”
“ For the same reason that you never said a word to Brooke about why you really hate me. Because of my love for her.”
“ You call this love.”
“ it is.”
“ How is she going to feel about you when he realizes the real reason you are with her. Her dead sister.”
Caspian was silent so long that Beth thought that he might not answer her. “ I don’t know.” He sat down on the piano bench his head hanging low. “ I’ve been thinking about it all day. How she’s going to react.” He looked up at Brooke’s mother. “ I can’t lie to her anymore.”
“ That’s rich coming from you.”
“ I owe her everything that’s in my heart. She has to know that I’m wither because of her. Not because of Lark.”
“ Don’t speak her name.”
“ She was my wife Beth. I loved her. I know that you may not believe that considering your feelings for me. She was a beautiful woman kind, gentle and too sweet and innocent for the likes of me. I realized that but I didn’t want to let her go because maybe I thought some of her goodness would rub off on me.” His voice was heavy with emotion. “ I mistakenly thought that I could have something that beautiful in my life and not pay a price.” His dark soulful eyes found Beth’s tortured one. “I paid a heavy price. I lied to Lark about my family’s business because I didn’t want anything dark or assorted to touch her. I thought that I could separate the two. But when she found out it changed the way she thought about me. We had problems. The tighter I held on, the more she fought to free herself. But I loved her and I never hurt her.” Caspian closed his eyes as painful memories resurfaced and scratched at her soul. “You got to believe me Beth. I never hurt her. I cherished her.” Caspian stood he paused to give Beth a blank stare before he headed out of the room. Beth stood there not sure what to make of what had transpired between them when he returned. He handed her a worn photo of her daughter.
Tears began to fall unchecked down her cheeks as she touched the photo of her daughter and Caspian . “ I loved her. I will never forget her.” Caspian uttered. “ If could go back and let her go when she wanted to leave. I would have. Her death was an accident. She was trying to leave and she feel down the stairs.”
“ Because you pushed her.”
“ No. I didn’t push. She fell. I reached out to grab her but I couldn’t reach her. I would never hurt my wife.”
Beth saw the true anguish on the man who seemed nothing but confident from the moment she met him. Her nose began to run. Caspian handed her a handkerchief. She took after a slight hesitation. Then she sat down next to Caspian. “ I never got to know her. Other than letters and videos that Sam sent me of her from time to time. That’s all I had of my baby.” “ I was so foolish to agree with Sam’s demands.”
“ It was his idea to separate them?”
“ Oh course. I never would willing let a child of mine go but he threatened me. The man I thought I loved threatened to take both of my little girls from me if I didn’t give up one. So I gave her Lark. I kissed my goodbye. Sam and his wife Cassie raised Lark. Cassie could never had children of her own, she was willing to look past the fact that Sam had a baby with another child with another woman because she got the baby she always wanted. At least she was a good mother to my baby. I could see that in the pictures how happy she was.”
“Cassie was a good mother to Lark.” Caspian replied. “Lark talked about her constantly. When they died, Lark was devastated.”
“ I tried to hold to on to that. Lark had a good life with Sam and Cassie but it still hurts. I never got to hold when she cried, or watch her take her first step. I never got to comfort her when she had her hurt broken.” She looked up at Caspian. Droplets clinging to her eyes. “Or see her get married. All I got was a phone call from Carlos letting me know that my baby died.” She turned to Caspian, all of her anger evaporated and displaced with grief for the child she had never known but loved. “What was she like?”
Caspian reached out and to Beth offering comfort to her. He too had lost a child, he had never know when his son died. “ She was remarkable woman. She loved life. The simple things such as a good book, a piece of artwork or nature. She loves animals. We had three cats and two dogs, not to mention the birds. She never was comfortable around a lot of people. She was shy. But she had a way of making you feel comfortable when it was just her that you’d want to tell her all of your secrets. She loved riding.”
“ Like Brooke.” Beth said thinking of her daughter. “ Brooke loved riding.”
“ They had a lot in common. But they were different. I think Lark was the introvert perceptive, interthinking whereas Brooke is naturally the extrovert. You had two remarkable girls. I’m sorry that you had to choose between your daughters. No mother should have to choose between her children.”
“ It was so hard. I just kissed Lark on her soft baby cheek with her wonderful baby smell. I bundled her up and put a small baby blanket that I had knitted for her when I was pregnant. Then I handed her to her father. I never saw my daughter again.” Beth licked her lips tasting the saltiness of her tears.
Beth pulled away from Caspian.“ I want your word that you won’t tell Brooke about her sister.”
“ I can’t do that.”
“ Why not? Don’t you understand the damage that will be done to her and to this family if the truth comes out.”
“ Yes. Believe it or not, I do. But too many people know the truth. A couple of weeks ago, Brooke ran into someone who must have gone to school with Lark. She mentioned it to me about this woman going on about her looking like a schoolmate. Brooke is constantly in the news both nationally and internationally. It’s been a miracle that no one has ever noticed the resemblance before. It’s only a matter of time before someone who knew lark will see Brooke and connect the dots. Just like I did.”
“ No. Nobody knew that truth besides Sam, Cassie and Carlos. Carlos won’t say a word. He has kept his this secret all of these years.”
“ There is always someone. I found out. Lark had a nurse who knew the truth. There is also the doctor. Somehow it It’s better Brooke find out.”
“ if you never came into her life she’d never know.”
“Maybe.” Caspian answered honestly. “ But it doesn’t change the fact that I love her. That I want her as my wife.”
“ Your wife?” Beth was floored. “ I can’t believe you’d even consider marrying Brooke now that you know the truth. You married her sister ”
“ It doesn’t matter to me. She and Lark are completely different people.”
Beth scoffed at Caspian’s reasoning. “ Do you really think she’s going to marry you once she realizes who you are? That you married her sister? Or how about the fact that you are going to tell her that she never knew her real father. She’s going to loath you.”
Beth’s words rang true. He knew that was a chance. “ You are going to destroy her. She’s already going through hell with Bridget, and this Stephanie business. now you decide to tell her now that she has a sister and her father isn’t Steven. My god, what kind of monster are you!”
“ I don’t want to hurt her.”
“ You didn’t want to hurt Lark but you did. You are making a mistake. One I won’t allow you to make. I gave up my daughter to Sam because I didn’t have a choice. I lost her because of you. Don’t take Brooke away from me. Please. I’m begging you.” Beth broke.
“ I’ll do anything you want. If Brooke, I won’t stand in your way anymore. Just don’t do this to her. Not now.”

 

 

K.C was on her way home out of Brooke’s office when Brooke arrived back at Forrester. “ Megan said that you may not be coming back so left the proofs from my photo shoot for you for Bazaar next to the expense reports for the Bedroom Collection. I put a copy of the article in there as well. Although the article is about me, I wanted you to see it since they feature Forrester.” Brooke nodded as she shook off her wet umbrella passing by the dress hanging up in a Forrester garment bag. K.C noted that Brooke seemed lost in thought. “Brooke are you alright.”
Brooke pushed her wet hair out of her face. “ I’m not sure.” She was lost in thought. “You think that you know a person and then…” She closed her eyes as she collapsed in her chair. She had to get answers to get to the bottom on the truth. She hated Stephanie. God knew she did but she didn’t want her to pay for a crime if she didn’t commit it. How could she be so wrong? She had seen the guilt in Stephanie’s eyes, hadn’t she? She began to question herself.
“ Did something happen?” K.C asked concerned.
Brooke took off her shoes and took the towel out of her personal bathroom to wipe off her face. She threw it down on her desk covering up the unseen message from Megan about her mother that lay next to s list of names and phone numbers. “ Nothing for you to worry about. Just something that I’ve got to figure out.” She sat back down and opened the file to look at the proofs. “ Wow.” She looked at the photos intently. She picked up one in which KC was standing in her office wearing all white. “You look unbelievable not that you don’t everyday but these pictures really capture you as a woman and a designer. She looked at the photos of K.C altering on her designs and another at K.C and Connor’s home looking beautiful in jeans and a t-shirt by the pool. Brooke took the time to read the article accompanying the photos. When she finished, she put the photos and article back into the folder. “ Congratulations now it looks like the entire world is going to see why you are becoming the hottest designer in the world.”
“ Thanks. I’m pretty excited about the article.”
“ And you should be. Your collection is fantastic. It’s innovative, sexy and will make this company a lot of money. Now you are being featured as one of the designers to look for in the world of fashion.” K.C was extremely happy with the results of her hard work.
“ Thank you.” She said sincerely.” It means a lot coming from you.”
“ I meant every word of it. So, where are you and Connor off to tonight? You look great by the way.” K.C had changed her clothes she was wearing a white beaded dress with halter neckline that only came to her thighs. Each strand coming off the dress had expensive hand sewn crystals on it and a huge crystal on the end of stand. It was extremely sexy especially with her matching high-heeled shoes. ‘ One of yours?”
“ No. Actually it’s Scott’s.”
Brooke was surprised.“ He’s getting better isn’t he?”
“ Yes, he is.” K.C answered honestly.
“ Good, he’s talented. I want him to focus on his career.”
“ And not Bridget.”
“ Yes.” Brooke answered honestly.
“ Connor are having dinner with Yvette and her boyfriend. He’s coming in from New York. So we are going to show them a good time. I know that you had planned something special and wanted us to make it.”
“No, don’t worry about it. It was last minute. I can’t expect you to change what you have planned for tonight. I’m sure we’ll have a chance to get together again. Have a great time.” Brooke looked at her watch. She had so much to do before dinner. “Did Eric come back yet? I called him but he didn’t call me back.”
“ No. I haven’t seen him since this morning.” K.C unzipped the garment bag to look at the dress Brooke was going to wear. “ Oh, this is beautiful. Ridge’s?”
Brooke took the rest of the dress out of bag. “No. Looks like something Ridge would design. However you’ll notice the elegant lines. It’s Eric.”
“ He’s really master, isn’t he?”
“ Yes he is. Right now, I’m really worried about him.”
“Maybe he needs time to himself. Life changes and sometimes it’s hard to deal with all those changes. ”
Brooke put the dress back and sat down in her seat back. She thought about where she had been a year ago, nothing in her life was the same anymore.“ You are right. I just hope that he’s okay. Have a good time tonight.” K.C waved goodbye. Brooke sat back wondering if the changes from the last few weeks had been nothing more than a carefully plotted scheme. She picked up her daughter’s picture and held it close to her heart feeling confused with everything that had happened.

“ How did you know that I knew the truth?” Caspian asked when Beth was leaving.
“ You haven’t figure it out.” Beth said. “ I guess you don’t know everything." She gave him a bitter smile. "Your mother.”
“Olivia.”
It gave Beth pleasure to tell him of his mother’s betrayal. To knock him down a peg or too. "You didn't know that we knew each other, did you? We went to the same college. She and I have been working together to find a way to break up both you and my daughter.” Caspian hid his surprise. “ Don’t tell me you thought that she actually want you both together because of this morning. It was act.” Beth lied. “She had no intention of supporting your relationship with my daughter. She told me today that you planned to tell Brooke and wanted to warn me. See what it feels like when family betrays you. Not a good feeling at all, is it?"

Lt. Burke finally finished taking Trudie’s statement. It had taken some time for them to get a police escort to her safety deposit box and collect all the evidence the proper way. The evidence was damning to say the least. He looked at the young woman drinking cold coffee with puffy eyes. Eric Forrester had his arms wrapped around her. “ It’s going to be okay Trudie.”
“ How can it be I…”
“ Shh. Don’t worry about what you did. If they try to press charges against you I’ll see that you have a good lawyer.” Eric’s concerned eyes found Burke. “But I don’t think that will happen. You came forward with the truth.”
Trudie nodded. “ I know that you are going to fire me but I just want you to know that I’m really sorry for what I did.”
Eric patted the young woman’s hand. He wasn’t angry with Trudie. Yes, what she had done was wrong but she was young. She was foolish. His so called wife was a different matter. “ So. How long is it going to take?”
Burke looked at his watch. “The D.A got held up in traffic. But she should be here soon.”
Burke wondered about Eric. This was his wife they were dealing with. He just didn’t understand the Forrester. For years, he had supported his wife but that seemed to be over. Eric was vehement about seeing his wife behind bars.


Rick knocked lightly on the bedroom door waiting for a response on the other side. When he didn’t receive an answer he opened the door slowly. The bedroom was dark and silent. He crept over to the bed to see the sleeping young woman. He knelt down by the bed and caressed her now short hair. Bridget’s eyes fluttered a moment before the opened to see her brother next to her bed.
“ Rick.” She sat up.
“Hey kiddo.” He took a chair next to the bed. He picked up the bag of chips on the nightstand before took a few and ate them.
“ What are you doing here?’
“ What I can’t come and see my kid sister? You’ve been spending so much time here I’ beginning to think that you don’t want to come home.” He said munching. Rick wiped his greasy hands on his jeans.
Bridget turned the light on next to her table. “ You know that isn’t true. I’ve just been spending time getting to know Ridge as my father. Besides.” She said with a sleepy scratchy voice. “ I’m coming home tomorrow. Mom and Ridge worked out a schedule.” Bridget got up pulling the covers off of her. Rick turned when he saw his sister was wearing nothing more than hot pink thongs and a t-shirt .
“ Hot pink thongs.” He murmured. Damn, his little sister wasn’t so little anymore. Was she. That meant he was going to have to beat the crap out of any guy thinking of making a move on his sister. His mother was bad enough but now Budge.
Bridget laughed. “Please. I know were all your dirty movies are stashed buddy. Besides you are the one with the kid. Where is my nephew by the way.” She pulled on her jeans. “You can turn around now.”
“Katherine is looking after him with the twins.” Rick turned.
“ So. What do you think?”
“About the thongs?” He threw a buttoned up shirt to his sister. She caught it. “ I prefer those white cotton underwear.”
“ Not the thongs silly. My haircut.”
Rick walked toward his sister. He ran his fingers through her short hair. He hated to admit it but even with bedhead going in all different directions. His sister was adorable.
He kissed her on the top of her forehead. “ I love it. So, what did mom think?”
Bridget sat down on her bed. “ She was a little upset.”
“ I bet.”
“ I think it was the fact that I went with Taylor to get it done.”
“ Real smart Budge. You still trying to hurt her?”
“ No. Honestly I’m not.” Bridget took a in a deep breath. “ I know that I was pretty pissed at her about not allowing me to see Scott.”
“ So you expect me to believe that you’ve gotten over it.” Just like that.’ He snapped his fingers. “ Come on Budge. This is me you are talking to.” Rick loved his sister but he also knew her. She wasn’t all sweet and innocent as some people thought. Bridget was a Forrester that meant artistic style and cunning wit that went along with being in this family. “Staying here has nothing to do with trying to see Scott?”
Bridget gave her brother an annoyed look. It sometimes got to her how he knew her. But then again, he was a wonderful brother to her. “ You’re not going to say anything to her are you?”
“Damn it Bridget.” Rick swore.
“ Come on.” Bridget dropped the comforter that she had been folding up. “ Mom’s being super over protective. You know how she gets. Especially with my illness. But I have a right to spent time with Scott. He’s a good guy. You know it. Mom’s just scared that I’m going to do something stupid like sleep with him. That isn’t going to happen. I swear. Right now, sex is the last thing on my mind.”
Rick moved over to sit next to his sister. He sighed heavily as he put his arm around her bringing her body close to his in a brotherly hug. His mother wasn’t the only one worried. He was too. His little sister and mom were his family It was up to him to protect her. ‘Just be careful Budge. Okay. And lay off mom.”
“ I have. I promise.” Rick looked at his sister. There were things she wasn’t telling him. She had tried to cover up the bloodstains on her pillow. There were lots of tissue in the trashcans some with old bloodstains. Bridget also had shadows under eyes. Those were all signs. Besides it was only 8:00 yet his up all night sister had been napping again. Bridget saw the eyes flicker to the bed and the wastebasket. She pulled away from him slightly not wanting him to see the truth.
“ How bad is it Budge?” He asked.
She knew what he was talking about. She played with the silver and turquoise bracelets she wore.
“My cell count is down. The nose bleeds are increasing. I’m tired all the time from basic activities.”
“ You never said a word.”
“ I’m not going to. All of this is going to be over really soon. You’ll see. One of the twins or Thomas will match me and things will go back to normal.”
“ That’s the real reason you pushed to stay here isn’t it?”
Bridget nodded. “ I did want time with dad and to see Scott. But yeah. Mom’s real perceptive. It’s easier to fool dad and Taylor they don’t know my schedule. So they don’t realize that I’m up to three naps a day.”
“ You can’t fool mom.”
“ I know. But that doesn’t mean that she has to find out. This will be over soon.” Bridget laid her head on her brother’s shoulder. “ You’ll see.”

Brooke stepped into the shower. The hot water relieved all the tension in her sore muscles. She stood there allowing the water to run down her body for a few moments before she used her scented bodywash to cleanse her body. After a few minutes into her shower, the knob to Brooke’s office door turned and the door opened slowly. A figure slid in the doorway listening to the water running in the shower. The figure kept toward the door that lead to Brooke’s private bath not wanting to alert Brooke to their presence. There watched as a female’s luscious body was displayed through the frosty glass shower. The figure studied her for a moment with objective eyes. It was no wonder men seemed to loose their minds when they when it came to her. She was sex all rolled up into one package. The figure turned to look at her tidy desk. Picking up the notes left by her personal assistant, they read a list of names, a time and a reservation number. A smile crept on the figures face. It seemed that Brooke was planning something special. Perfect. Silently, the figure crept to where there was a dress hanging on the door. Unzipping the bag the figure looked at the expensive gown. Clearly it was something she planned to wear that night for her special evening. Opening the small black bag that the figure had carried with him/her, he/she went to work. He/she only had a few minutes to work before Brooke finished her shower.

Brooke was in the mist of her shower when she heard a noise. She stopped soaping her hair and rinsed it off quickly. “ Hello.” She called out thinking that maybe it was Megan coming back. She didn’t hear anything. “ Hello.” She called again. Brooke stepped out of the shower, wrapped a towel around her body and headed out to her office. There it was dark. Nothing was out of place. Turning the light on she opened her office door and stepped out into the hallway. Suddenly, someone grabbed her. Brooke screamed and turned, her towel dropping as a hand clamped over her mouth.

 

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