Chapter 2

The next morning, Liam's anger has still not dissipated. He had a sleepless night. Whenever he closes his eyes, he sees Hope and Thomas, falling over each other. He just can't get those images out of his head. He wonders if anyone else knows about their involvement. Hope and Brooke are very close. It seems impossible to him that Brooke isn't aware of what is going on in her daughter's life. Maybe that's the reason, she uses every chance to urge him to reconcile with Hope. Liam decides to get to the bottom of it. But first he has to go to work.

Wyatt notices immediately something is wrong with his brother. He doesn't respond to any of his questions and just stares motionless at the screen. Liam doesn't even flinch when Wyatt throws a pencil at him. Finally, Wyatt calls out loudly.

"Have you read this headline yet? Steffy got engaged in Rome!"

"WHAT??" Liam startles and looks at his brother in shock. "Well at least you still seem to respond to Steffy!"

Liam realizes Wyatt was just pulling his leg.

"That's not funny! I don't have the nerve for your humor at all!"

"I can see! What is it today! Steffy or Hope or maybe someone else?!"

"I don't wanna talk about it!" replies Liam tersely.

"Come on, something is bothering you!"

"I really don't want to talk about it, now enough with this topic!"

Brooke is arriving at home. She has just picked up Douglas from school. Hope had called her on very short notice and asked her. Brooke has a bad feeling about why Hope doesn't have time to pick up Douglas herself. Hope told her she has a very important meeting. Brooke fears Thomas may be this important meeting and she doesn't like the idea at all. And as much as she loves her grandson, today he isn't lifting her spirits. Douglas tells her in detail about the meal he had arranged for his parents and what a great time they all had together. With innocent eyes, he glances at Brooke.

"I know Mom explained to me, Dad and her aren't together, but I truly believe we can be a happy family someday!" Brooke frowns.

"Don't you miss Liam? I mean, you guys have always gotten along so well and he's always been a good father to you!" Douglas shrugs.

"Liam is a cool guy, but Mom doesn't love him anymore and besides, Liam is not my dad!"

"Yeah I know! But don't you remember how great it was when you all lived together?! Your Mom, Liam, Beth and you! Maybe it can be that nice again?!"

"I don't think so! Mom and Liam want a divorce and Mom doesn't seem to miss Liam!"

Brooke frowns again. The door opens and Liam steps in. Brooke observes displeased, Liam and Douglas greet each other in a very distant and uncertain manner.

"Hello Brooke! I'd like to talk to you!"

"Of course!" She turns to Douglas.

"Honey, go into the kitchen and start with your homework! I'll be right there!"

As soon as Douglas is gone, she approaches Liam.

"I'm really glad you're here! I wanted to talk to you for a while! You need to forgive Hope!"

"I'm not sure Hope really wants that!"

"Of course she does! Remember, on Beth's birthday she asked you for a second chance and you turned her down. I understand that this unfortunate story with Thomas hurt you. But it was just one harmless little kiss!"

"I'm just not so sure about that...that it was really just a kiss! What if Hope is still fixated on Thomas?!"

"No, that's absolute nonsense! Well okay, they work together a lot. You know how much 'Hope for the Future' means to Hope, but it's all professional, nothing more!"

Liam notices, Brooke seems very nervous. She gestures wildly with her hands and avoids looking directly at him.

"So you think it's impossible that she still has feelings for Thomas?!"

"Absolutely! The very thought of it is completely absurd! We both know Thomas is a psychopath. Think of everything he has done to the both of you! Hope knows that! Why should she ever get involved with him?! True, she is a little confused lately and doesn't behave like herself but Hope and Thomas, that would be totally crazy!"

"Indeed! Well I have to go now! Plenty of work to do!"

"Hey Liam, wait..."

Brooke calls after him, but Liam has already disappeared. Brooke wonders, Liam didn't even say why he came to see her. Liam, on the other hand, has the answer to his question. Brooke's nervous eye twitching and her uncertain laughter made it obvious to him, she knows everything. He finds it very disappointing that on one hand she urges him to reconcile with Hope, but doesn't see a reason to be honest with him. During the ride, his resentment against his mother-in-law grows. But she will figure out soon that he's not going to be fooled. Liam is on his way to the next person he wants to have a serious talk with.

Meanwhile at Il Giardino. Deacon is in the middle of his work when Carter approaches him. Deacon rolls his eyes and sighs. "What are you doing here again?"

"Having a friendly chat with you!"

Deacon looks at him suspiciously.

"I don't have any time!"

"You'll have to take it. I think you'll be very interested in what I have to tell you. After all, a few days ago I overheard a very interesting conversation between you and your old friend right here in the restaurant!" Beads of sweat form on Deacon's forehead. "The conversation was most revealing. You know, I never understood, from a legal point, why they let Sheila go. Now I know the reason!" Deacon turns pale.

"Listen, it's not what it looks like..."

"Oh no?! You arranged for Sheila to be released because your good old buddy owed you a favor! Now the only question is, why did you do it?! I think I know the answer! You're still having an affair with Sheila!"

"No, no...I was just trying to help her, as a friend!"

"As a friend?! You wanted to help a crazy psychopath get free as a friend?! You really should look for some treatment!"

"You all don't understand! Sheila has done some very weird things, but basically she's not a bad person! She just reacts very extremely to disappointments, but I'm convinced I can help her. I can make her a better person! I mean, look at what I've become! I did it!"

"So you're telling me, you think it's a good deed?! You do realize what will happen if everybody else finds out about this, especially Brooke, your daughter or Ridge?!"

"So you haven't told anyone yet?"

Deacon stares hopefully at Carter.

"No! I wanted to talk to you first!"

"Listen! I know this sounds crazy, but you can't tell anyone!"

"So you want me to stay silent and watch you continue to have contact with Sheila and let her terrorize everyone?!"

"Sheila won't be a threat to anyone any longer, I promise you!"

"She already is! Steffy left the country and her husband because of her! Finn is about to lose his family, do you get that in your sick brain?! Besides, she's also putting your life in danger right now!"

"No she's not!"

"Oh please Deacon! What are you going to do when the others find out about this! Neither Hope, Brooke or anyone else will accept your relationship with Sheila! You're about to lose your entire family, your entire environment because of this lunatic! Is she really worth it?!"

"Carter, please try to understand me! Of course I don't want to lose Hope, but I can't abandon Sheila. She means a lot to me and she needs me!"

"You mean she's using you! I suppose she's being very kind and loving because she's getting something from you. But as soon as you stand up to her, she'll destroy you just like she has destroyed everyone else in her life! Sheila is not capable of loving anyone sincerely! She only loves what she gets from the people! I can only warn you, if you want to continue to have Sheila in your life, this is your dead end!"

Carter is about to leave when Deacon holds him back.

"You're not going to say anything to anyone though, especially not to Ridge!"

Carter looks at him for a very long time.

"Let's put it this way, I'm giving you a chance to solve the matter yourself! However, if Sheila gets too close to any family member once more, I will no longer stay silent! It's up to you Deacon!"