Brooke asked Julie for Felix's cell phone number to let him know she was already there. Then, she joined Sawyer in his room despite his desire to go see Lucas right away. The minutes passed... Fortunately, the little girl didn't seem too affected by the tension that reigned everywhere else in the house. Unless she was acting as if nothing was happening. Brooke was worried about her.
BROOKE : How are you, sweetheart? Did you have a good day?
SAWYER : If we want... Daddy only played with me this morning. I don't like it when he's sad, you know...
BROOKE : Did he tell you he was sad?
SAWYER : No, but I can see it, you know... Because he's less funny than usual and I need more cuddles. I love it when he jokes with me and plays with me for longer.
BROOKE : Don't worry, sweetie, today is just a bit of a tough day for your daddy... You'll see, tomorrow is another day...
She said these words as much for herself as for Sawyer, as if she was trying to convince herself.
SAWYER : But could you go talk to him? He said he had to talk about grown-up things... And you're a grown-up, you!
Sawyer's innocence touched Brooke as much as it hurt her a little more... She just smiled at him tenderly.
BROOKE'S THOUGHT : I'm not sure it's me he wants to talk to...
BROOKE : Maybe later...
At the same time, Brooke heard quick, loud footsteps on the stairs leading upstairs. She was already swallowing.
BROOKE'S THOUGHT : Or maybe right now, after all!
She recognized his gait and the way he took the steps two by two. He was getting closer and closer. And then, he came in without announcing himself... Furious.
LUCAS : Brooke, why didn't you come with Felix, fu...?
Lucas refrained from saying his rudeness in front of Sawyer but the anger was already quite visible in his tone and expression.
BROOKE : Hello, Lucas... I didn't have his number to warn him to come earlier.
LUCAS : So why did you come earlier?
It wasn't just the incomprehension of his reaction that hurt Brooke, she felt anger inside her.
BROOKE : I guess I was worried about Sawyer and I thought she could use some company... And apparently I did the right thing!
Lucas' eyes flickered to his daughter for a second, then returned to Brooke's, more concerned.
LUCAS : Okay... Are you okay?
Brooke scanned his expression for a clue. Proof of his attachment to her.
BROOKE : I guess so... I just didn't expect to have a welcoming committee at the entrance.
LUCAS : What did you tell them!? The journalists...
A stab in the heart, that's what interested him most at the moment. But Sawyer's presence got the better of Brooke's primal instincts that screamed at her to provoke him and rebel.
BROOKE : Don't worry, absolutely nothing. I was too terrified to say anything.
Lucas, as if struck by a revelation in the face of her disgusting behavior, hurried to come closer.
LUCAS : That's why I asked if you were okay... Excuse me, I'm on edge...
BROOKE : Me too, you know, Lucas...
LUCAS : I'm sorry. Is there anything I can do to make you feel better right now...?
A lot of things came to her mind... But none that she could say out loud.
BROOKE'S THOUGHT : Oh yes! You could kiss me, tell me you want me, that you'll join me tonight... Tell me that this is all just a bad dream, or that it doesn't change anything for either of us.
BROOKE : I think I was just surprised... It'll be fine now that I know what to expect, I'll do accordingly. Everything's fine.
Lucas was no longer angry. He looked at her with affection but his attitude and posture betrayed his availability.
LUCAS : I'm going to have to go back down...
Then, he first addressed his daughter...
LUCAS : But sweetie, I promise you that I'll make up for it very quickly!
Then to Brooke...
LUCAS : Victoria is leaving soon, we still have to sort out two or three details... She hasn't stopped since last night.
Lucas looked for understanding and concern in Brooke's eyes as he backed away towards the door. Failing to find her , his daughter, she, sent him a kiss with her little hand.
SAWYER : Courage dad! And if you want a hug, I'm here, huh!
Arrived in the doorway but still facing them ...
LUCAS : Thank you darling, I won't hesitate ...
And as his eyes fell back into Brooke's, she maintained eye contact. As if he was still hesitating, Lucas put his hand on the doorframe... His eyebrows furrowed. On his lips, Brooke managed to read a "see you later...". She just nodded, fatalistic... Lucas drummed his fingers on the wood of the door frame as if something was still holding him back. Then just after a sigh and an embarrassed smile, he left for the ground floor, leaving Brooke there, with her daughter, without answers to her questions and without having reassured her about them, about their relationship. Brooke had a strange feeling... She had felt this inner struggle that seemed to animate him. As if he would not succeed in managing everything at once... His wife, the supposedly unfounded accusations, his image and her. Then she tried to put things into perspective and convince herself that until they talked she would do better to avoid jumping to conclusions. She hoped it would happen soon because his anxiety was becoming unbearable.
Brooke played with Sawyer again before going to make her dinner.
PEYTON : So we're not doing anything else and we're letting her drag us through the mud like that!?
LUCAS : It's not that we're not doing anything, but we're playing other cards, Peyton. And you're not the one being dragged through the mud!
VICTORIA : We finished writing the denial... The whole side of the story against Lucas is explained in it... All that's left is to let things be, kids! And I'm hopeful...She has nothing! In less time than it takes to say it, yoyou will have gone from the status of unfaithful husband to that of a calm father. The press will come to you on their own, Lucas... You do what we said and I'll take care of Lindsay.
PEYTON : Let me take care of it with you, I'll rip that pest's head off! If she thinks she can try to destroy my relationship and our reputation like that!
Victoria threw a sympathetic look at Lucas at his wife's violent and self-centered reaction.
VICTORIA : Can I count on you to calm your wife down, Lucas?
LUCAS : I'm sorry to tell you but nothing and no one can do that! Not even me...
PEYTON : Oh, I'm here, huh!
LUCAS : I know that and that's exactly why it would be nice if you thought about something other than yourself and your reputation!
PEYTON : Our reputation, darling, there's a difference!
LUCAS : Oh please, don't do it to me, don't do it to me anymore! And don't call me honey, it's just ridiculous! I'm tired of pretending Peyton, you and I don't love each other anymore and you know it... So stop this game, here!
PEYTON : But how dare you!? I love you!
Peyton hurried to look at Victoria with a panicked look as if Lucas' words shocked her to the extreme.
LUCAS : Fuck, Peyton, stop it! Not in front of Victoria, she's our agent, she will protect our privacy... It's her job! So stop your charade immediately! You love our life, you love our image and what we represent...
PEYTON : So what!? I can love all those things and you too!
LUCAS : But look at you! You say that as if you were challenging me... That's not love! You love money, status, the image of the perfect family, the beautiful house in Paris... Not me!
PEYTON : Maybe I have a special way of showing it to you or telling you... Oh, what the hell! You're mine, Lucas! I'm your wife and the mother of your darling daughter! And in the end, I don't give a damn if you fuck anyone!
Lucas looked at her in shock as if he was really seeing her in all her atrocity for the first time.
PEYTON : Come on, seriously, don't make that face... Success has gone to our heads and you could very well have done it...
LUCAS : Lindsay?!
PEYTON : Her or another one for that matter... Or many others! For all these years, I've seen them, all these bitches who dream that you'll give them a smile, some attention... Or even my place, while we're at it! But she hasn't been born yet, the one who will dethrone me! I'm Peyton Scott, Mrs. Scott, your wife. And I'll remain so until death, no matter how!
Lucas but also Victoria looked and stared at Peyton, horrified... Between madness and hysteria.
LUCAS : I've always been faithful to you...
Lucas obviously avoided specifying that this was in any case the case until Brooke entered his life.
PEYTON : I'm flattered, my angel!
But while Lucas still couldn't get over his wife's astounding speech, Victoria spoke.
VICTORIA : Peyton, if you have something to tell us now is the time... If we could avoid another scandal...
PEYTON : I'm faithful too! Faithful to the dead calm and non-existent sexuality... But faithful!
Victoria looked at her with a more than skeptical air, but her professionalism prevailed over her personal judgment.
VICTORIA : In any case, you're going to have to act as if you were, both of you, and no matter what! At least until the Gala on Thursday... Your relationship has to look solid. Honestly, a scandal or bad publicity would be a big blow to your careers...
LUCAS : I don't care about my career!
VICTORIA : But not about your reputation, Lucas! Think about it...
PEYTON : Nor about your daughter...
Her words resonated in him and froze his blood.
LUCAS : What does Sawyer have to do with it!?
PEYTON : For now nothing... But I care about my career...
LUCAS : This is blackmail!? Blackmail with our own daughter who is only five years old!?
PEYTON : I don't want to get to that point, Lucas... But don't make me, that's all.
Lucas' eyes rolled back more and more, his fists and jaw tightened violently. Even Victoria couldn't find the words... Extremely uncomfortable, she watched them silently.
LUCAS : But what an idiot I am! You're crazy and bad... And I made the mistake of marrying you! The biggest mistake of my life! I've heard enough! Sorry Victoria but I'm getting out of here before I get violent and do something I'll regret... I'll call you but now I'm going to get some air... Far from here!