Chapter 7:

Hope found herself pacing back & forth in Eric's office as she waited for her mother to return. She even sent Wyatt a quick text letting him know what was happening. Then she found herself smelling the scent of a certain French perfume & quickly knew who was walking in through the door.

Brooke Logan-Forrester walked in wearing a tasteful light blue suit. The sides of her shoulder-length blond hair was pulled back away from her beautiful face which showed off the diamond stud earrings Ridge had given her for her birthday. She was the very epitome of elegance and beauty despite the many mistakes she had made in her life, which had resulted in tabloid headlines & scandel.

When she saw Hope standing there, her blue eyes turned ice cold and her demeanor became stiff. Hope felt herself begin to tremble, but she knew that she had to stand strong against her mother.

It was now or never.

While Hope was bracing herself against her mother at Forrester Creations, Wyatt was at Pink Taco with his mother Quinn enjoying a delicious lunch.

"This is really great, son. Thank you," said Quinn smiling. "You're welcome, Mom. You deserve it after everything that has happened," said Wyatt smiling. "You mean the success of our company and Hope For The Future?" said Quinn smiling. "That's right," said Wyatt with a smile of his own. "Well, I apreciate it very much. I must be the luckiest mom ever, " said Quinn, her smile now much bigger. Wyatt gave her a huge hug.

Then the subject turned to Hope. "Where is Hope today?" asked Quinn. "At Forrrester talking to her mom," sad Wyatt who was now frowning. "You don't have a good feeling about that, do you?" asked Quinn who was now frowning herself. Wyatt just nodded hishead. Quinn let out a sigh.

Sure, she hadn't liked Hope when Wyatt had first introduced them, but through working together on Hope For The Future & talking things out, Quinn had become Hope's biggest supporter & friend even after all teh bad stuff that had happened. She knew that Wyatt & Hope were meant to be together & had even told her son not to give up, which he didn't. Now she was glad that her son had found his own happiness.

"You want to know what's really got me worried, Mom?" said Wyatt. "What's that?" asked Quinn. "That Brooke is going to try & force Hope to go back to Liam, " said Wyatt. "Obivously Brooke has no idea how much you two love each other. She can't get in the way of that," said Quinn. "No she can't. I'm just hoping that Hope lets her know that," said Wyatt. "I'm sure she will," siad Quinn with a reassuring smile. The two then went back to enjoying their lunch.

Back at Forrester, Hope braced herself hard for what was to come.

Then it happened.

"Care to explain yourself?" asked Brooke coldly. "No. I don't," said Hope. "Well, you don't have a choice in this," said Brooke. "I know, and I also know that nothing I say will change how you feel about this," said Hope. Brooke looked at her daughter surprised, having been caught off guard by the comment.

Then Hope said something else that further surprised Brooke.

"I will tell you this, Mom. I don't love Liam anymore and haven't for a long time. Things change, and people change. I'm not that girl anymore. I'm not that girl desperately trying to prove to Liam that I am the one for him. He's not my 'destiny' anymore. If you can't except that, that's your problem, not mine."

Brooke stood there in front of her daughter in complete shock. She had had no idea what Hope's true feelings were because Hope herself never expressed them to her. Now she made her case & wasn't expecting Brooke to understand.

As Hope was about to leave, Brooke stopped her. "Honey, I'm sorry. I wish I had known," said Brooke sadly. "Don't apologize. There's no need for it," said Hope who then walked out the door & left.

As she got into her car & drove off to the SLS Hotel, where Wyatt was staying, Hope felt the tears come down her face. She had always had a hard time standing up to her mother, but this time she actually felt proud of herself for doing it.

Hope couldn't wait to tell Wyatt all about it. As she put her engagemtn ring back on, she knew that he would be proud of her.

Very proud.