Chapter 5!

In the master bedroom, Ridge got two large suitcases and put them on the bed. In a hurry, he starts to pack some clothes, his toiletry, and some other personal belongings. Brooke sits on the bed and tries to reason with him.

"Ridge, I'm begging you! You can't do this, you can't just leave. There has to be another way. Take a breath and think about it, at least for one night."

"No, Brooke! I made my decision. I can't stay on this property for another minute. And I told you the circumstances under which it would be possible for me to stay. And you rejected me. You said you can't go along with it. And you know what, I don't even blame you for this. Hope is your own daughter, she is your flesh and blood. And I do understand your dilemma. I know how difficult it can be to set your own foot against your own child. But I only can say to you, right now I can't live on the same property as Hope. I don't have the strength and the energy to deal with it. And I cannot interact with her and Carter in a normal, decent way. Not at the moment. I hate to say it and I never thought it would ever come to this point. But I despise Carter. And I despise your daughter. With their betrayal they made it right on top of my enemies list."

Brooke stares at Ridge with big horrified eyes. Book set at Ridge with big horrified eyes. She can't believe he said that.

"And what about us? Our relationship? Our love?"

"Honestly Logan, I can't give you an answer to this right now. I'm tired and burned out and I need some time for myself to evaluate everything. And to be honest, our relationship is not my top priority. My only focus now is to get our company back. And I have to say it, a relationship between us can only work if you decide to be on our side and not on the side of Hope and Carter."

Brooke sighs disdainfully.

"So this is what this is all about. Forrester versus Logan. And if I'm not with you at the Forrester table, I'm your enemy. And I guess maybe even the rest of your family would probably not accept me at your table because I am a Logan as well." "Please, Brooke, you're acting childish right now. You know that's not how it is."

"Oh, do I know that? Because I have the impression it was never otherwise. It was always Forrester versus Logan. The only thing that changed is now the Logans are on the power seat and you the Forresters cannot deal with it. You all expected from all of us Logans to be on your team, to follow your leadership and deal with decisions you made. And now when it turns out to be the other way around and that you would be forced to follow our leadership, you all pout and throw a tantrum. So don't tell me I'm acting childish because you and Steffy are behaving like the worst kindergarten toddlers who are ripped off their lollipop."

"You know what, Logan, I really don't have the nerve to deal with this now."

Ridge decides he has everything he needs for the next time. So he closes the suitcases, takes the luggage, and heads downstairs. In the living room, he can't find his father anywhere, and he assumes he already left and waits for him by the car. But he does see Carter and Hope. They are both sitting on the couch in a close embrace, hugging and kissing each other. As soon as they spot Ridge, they stop their doing. Both look at him with some embarrassment. Disgusted Ridge shakes his head, turns on his heels, and leaves the house. Brooke comes running downstairs. She follows Ridge outside, screaming and pleading with him. to come back to her, but Ridge is determined and doesn't listen to her. So, deeply crushed and with tears running down her face, Brooke returns into the house and slams the door behind her with all her force. Hope and Carter immediately rush to her side. Hope wants to hug her mother to give her some comfort.

"Mom, I'm so sorry. We never meant it to come this far. This is not what we wanted."

Also Carter regrets deeply that his actions put Brooke in a terrible position.

"Brooke, I'm really sorry as well. I feel bad for myself and I didn't want this to happen. I wish there would have been another way. You know it was my goal to transform Forrester Creation into a company where everybody is valued and respected. And it was my dream that this wedge between the Forrester and the Logans would finally come to an end and that both families could work and live peacefully under the same roof."

"Yeah Mom, Carter is right. It could all have been so wonderful if Ridge, Steffy and Eric wouldn't be so stubborn. They should work with us and not against us."

"Well, Hope, I told you this was going to happen. I knew immediately it would come to this end. I warned you and I told you what I think about your coup. And now everyone has to deal with the choice you two made. I can only imagine how Donna will react when she hears about this. And she is in the same complicated situation as I am. She loves Eric with all her heart. And now she also has to choose between him and her family. But you know what? I'm sorry but I'm tired and I'm exhausted and I'm not in the mood for this discussion. I only want to go to bed and try to get some sleep. We talk about this tomorrow."

And without any other word, Brooke heads back upstairs and disappears into her bedroom,

Ridge and Eric Forrester are in the car on their way to the Forrester estate. Ridge offered to drive. It helps him to release some of his tension. And he realized that his father was actually in no condition to drive. Ridge is deeply concerned as he watches him sitting next to him. He looks like a broken, crushed old man. It breaks his heart. During the ride, Eric confesses to his son, he originally had the plan to have an open and honest talk with Carter and Hope. He wanted to confront them about how he feels and what they did to him. But as soon as he stood right in front of them, he lost all his strength, and he couldn't cope with the situation any more. It was already too much for him to even look at them. So he decided to postpone the discussion. And without any word, just with one last definite look, he left the house.

Ridge wants to encourage him and tries to sound positive.

"Don't worry, Dad. We will fix this. Forrester Creation will soon be under our leadership again. And all this entire day will be nothing more than a terrible, haunting memory."

"I hope you're right, son. I dearly pray that we will find a solution. Because I cannot stand the situation like this. There is no way that our legacy will be taken from us forever. This is a big challenge for our family. But we will survive it. And now every one of us has to find the Forrester spirit inside of them. And we have to remind us of what the Forrester family truly stands for. That in times of crisis, we always stick together." "You're absolutely right, Dad. Do you know what? Why don't you contact everyone and ask them to come over right now?" Eric looks at his son a little bit surprised.

"You mean tonight? Do you really think that's a good idea? I mean, it has been a very long day. And everyone, I guess, is quite exhausted. Do you really think this cannot wait until tomorrow?"

"No, Dad. We cannot waste any more time. The sooner we come up with something to end this nightmare the better. We have to evaluate our options and come up with a plan before this goes any further."

"Well, I guess I have no argument against your logic."

So Eric takes out his cell phone and starts to type some messages.

Finn, Steffy and Taylor are all gathered at the beach house. The kids are finally asleep and all three sit together in the living room and recapitulate the recent events. All three of them are still shocked about what happened today. Suddenly Steffy receives a message.

"Oh, it's a message from Grandpa. He is with Dad on his way home and he wants us all to meet at his place."

"What, now?" Taylor asks dumbfounded. "You mean tonight? Well, I don't think that's a good idea, I mean you are all tired and exhausted, and you all need some rest. Honey, you really should stay here and get some sleep."

But Steffy is already on her way to get ready.

"Mom, there is no way that any one of us will get any sleep tonight anyway. So it's probably better that we use this time to develop some ideas to fight back. Carter and Hope caught us off guard once. And that was a big mistake. From now on, it's important that we are one step ahead of them."

"Well, I guess you're right, Honey. But still, you know what? I come with you and give you a ride. That way I can talk to your dad and Eric as well, and reassure them of my support."

Steffy sinks into her mother's arms.

"Thanks Mom. You're the best."

While Taylor gets ready, Steffy hugs her husband. He promises her to keep an eye on the kids. He gives her a loving kiss and tries to encourage her.

"Everything will be okay, Sweetheart. You will come up with a solution and you will deal with this mess. I believe in you." "Thank you, Sweetie. You are the best, too."

Finn and Steffy hug one more time and share one last kiss. Then mother and daughter are on their way to the Forresters.