Having slept very little because of the events of the day before, Brooke wakes up this morning, tired and anxious. She also has to get up very early to prepare breakfast, before going to register Lily at school. She spent a good part of the night thinking about Lucas' behavior, as well as Haley's words. She tossed and turned in her bed to try to find a way to break down the wall surrounding Lucas. Unfortunately, she turned the problem over in every way, but she still doesn't know how to do it. She then managed to fall asleep late at night, her sleep haunted by many nightmares. Nightmares about her present, nightmares related to her past, nightmares about the uncertainty of her future. Now that she no longer has time to think about all that, she gets out of bed without delay to take a quick shower. She then puts on makeup to try to hide her dark circles, before doing her hair and looking for an outfit in her closet. The weather forecast having predicted very hot temperatures for today, she chose a light outfit. She then looks at herself one last time in the mirror, before leaving the room to wake Lily.
When Brooke arrives a few moments later in her daughter's room, she is still deeply asleep. Brooke then calls her softly by her first name and shakes her lightly to wake her up without rushing her too much.
Brooke : Lily, it's time for you to get up.
Lily : Why?
Brooke : Because it's almost time to go to school. We have an appointment with the principal for your registration.
Lily : But it's still early.
Brooke : I know, but I have to take care of Mr. Scott first. Go brush your teeth and get dressed, okay? I have to go down to the kitchen quickly.
Lily nods with a little pout and Brooke kisses her in her hair, then quickly leaves the room. Arriving in the kitchen, she takes out the ingredients she needs for breakfast from the fridge and cupboards. Once done, she puts a plate of pancakes on a tray like the day before to bring it to Lucas. Before entering the living room, she nevertheless takes the time to take a deep breath, apprehensive about seeing him. She knocks softly on the door, before opening it and slowly entering the room. Lucas comes out of his room and approaches Brooke with an air as icy as ever.
Lucas : Are you still here?
Brooke : Good morning to you too, Mr. Scott. I brought you breakfast. Since you didn't eat last night, you must be hungry.
Lucas : I nibbled on some things in the kitchen last night.
Brooke : That's not a very balanced meal.
Lucas : Yes, but at least I was sure not to poison myself.
Taking his new remark as a slap in the face, Brooke then tries at all costs to keep her cool.
Brooke : I've never poisoned anyone, Mr. Scott. Are you going to eat what I made you this morning?
Lucas : I suppose so. Breakfast isn't that complicated to make, right?
Brooke : Indeed.
Lucas then begins to eat while looking Brooke up and down, looking more disdainful than ever.
Lucas : What is this outfit?
Brooke : What? You don't like it?
Lucas : Not at all.
Brooke : Too bad. I really like this outfit.
Lucas : It's not really work appropriate, don't you think?
Brooke : Why? Are we in a convent here? I'm not going to dress in gray with a shirt buttoned up to my chin just to please you! Besides, I have an appointment this morning.
Lucas : With who?
Brooke : Why? Are you interested in my life now?
Lucas : Absolutely not!
Brooke : I kind of suspected that. But to answer your question, I have a meeting with the principal of the school next door.
Lucas : Why?
Brooke : To enroll my daughter.
Lucas : That's not necessary.
Brooke : Why?
Lucas : Because I plan on making you leave soon.
Brooke : So that's bad, because I intend to stay.
Face-to-face for a moment, Lily interrupts their conversation by opening the door slightly.
Lily : Mom, we're going to be late.
Brooke : You're right, sweetie. Have you had breakfast?
Lily : Yes.
Brooke : Very well. Then we can go. See you later, Mr. Scott?
Lucas : I wouldn't rather, but do I really have a choice?
Brooke : No.
Giving her a last satisfied smile, Lucas then gives her a black look, before Brooke goes to join Lily.
An hour later, Brooke and Lily are in the office of Mrs. Robert, the school principal. Brooke has already filled out all the requested documents and the principal is now asking her questions.
Principal : So, you're from Canada?
Brooke : Yes, Lily and I are from Vancouver.
Principal : That's a long way! And it must also change you a lot!
Brooke : Yes, but since I found a job here, we had to move.
Principal : What kind of job?
Brooke : I'm a home care assistant.
Principal : Oh really? Where?
Brooke : At Mr. Scott's. Maybe you know him?
Hearing that name, Mrs. Robert's face collapses and immediately turns pale.
Principal : Yes, I know him. His daughter Sawyer was a student at our school. What happened to that poor little girl and her mother is terrible.
Brooke : Yes, indeed.
Principal : How is Mr. Scott?
Brooke : Not very well to tell you the truth. But I'm doing my best.
Principal : I understand. When I think of the man he was before, it saddens me a lot.
Brooke : What was he like?
Principal : He really was a very good father. Involved in his daughter's education, kind, smiling, always ready to help others. But I suppose everything has changed now?
Brooke : Yes, unfortunately. But I don't lose hope of seeing him come back, not like before, but at least a little.
Principal : Then he's very lucky to have you, Miss Davis. I hope he realizes that and that you succeed.
Brooke : I hope so too.
Finally returning to the reason for her coming here with her daughter, Mrs. Robert then asks Brooke questions about Lily's father. She therefore tells her about her ex-husband, without obviously telling her all the good things she thinks of him. He was an unfaithful piece of shit, who cheated on her with his secretary and who treated her like his maid. This bastard who also didn't pay a single cent of the alimony that was supposed to help him provide for his daughter. Yet he had the means, while she couldn't even pay a lawyer to sue him. That was why she had accepted this well-paid job near Los Angeles, thus starting a new life with Lily.
Lily's registration finally finalized, Brooke then left her daughter with Mrs. Robert, her heart a little heavy. So she went home alone to start work and will pick up her daughter at the end of the afternoon. Wanting to let Lucas know that she is there and to make sure that he does not need anything, she heads to the living room. Knocking on the door, she realizes that he is not there, but nevertheless hears voices in a room next door. She then discreetly heads towards it to see who Lucas is talking to. Entering on tiptoe, Brooke notices that the room is a gym, equipped with the latest equipment. Lucas is lying on a mat while a tall, muscular man is making him do movements. The visitor, who Brooke guesses to be a physiotherapist, has his back to him and she cannot see his face. He looks to be quite young and quite handsome. Brooke approaches them, coughing slightly to signal her presence. The physiotherapist immediately turns to her.
... : Oh! Hello! I'm Nathan Roe, Lucas's physiotherapist. And you are?
Brooke : I'm Brooke Davis, his his caregiver.
Lucas : Future ex-home his caregiver!
Hearing Lucas' very harsh words and his more than hostile tone towards her, Nathan immediately comes to Brooke's defense.
Nathan : Come on, Lucas! Don't be so mean to Miss Davis. She's here to help you, you know. Just like me.
Brooke : You can call me Brooke, if you want.
Nathan : Only if you call me Nathan.
Brooke : Okay, Nathan.
Seeing Brooke's suddenly intimidated look, Lucas can't help but throw a scathing remark at both of them.
Lucas : Just say it if I'm bothering you!
Nathan : You're not bothering us at all, Lucas. I'm just trying to be nice to Brooke and maybe you should too.
Lucas : I didn't ask your opinion, Nathan.
Nathan : I know, but it would be a shame if she left because of you. I'm sure you'd regret it, too.
Lucas : Absolutely not! Her daughter and she are here against my will and I fully intend to make them leave as soon as possible.
Still hurt by his words, Brooke decides to leave the room, unable to take it any longer.
Brooke : I'll leave you. I have work to do.
Turning quickly on her heels, she doesn't see Nathan following her out of the room. Arriving in the living room, he gently takes her by the elbow and forces her to turn around to look at him. Realizing that she is crying, Nathan looks at her with a sorry look.
Nathan : Are you okay, Brooke?
Brooke : Yes. Don't worry. I'm used to it now, you know.
Nathan : I know, but even though Lucas is difficult, I've never seen him be this obnoxious to anyone.
Brooke : Really? Maybe I should feel flattered then.
Nathan : Do you know what happened to him?
Brooke : Yes.
Nathan : Then you understand why he's like this. Lucas keeps everyone at arm's length, you know. He even fired his housekeeper who had worked here for years. He had a social life, a job, friends, but he threw it all away.
Brooke : What do you think I should do?
Nathan : I don't know, but I hope you're not going to leave. Lucas needs you and I feel like you're special to him.
Brooke : Special? You mean he hates me!
Nathan : I'm sure not, Brooke. Like I said, I've never seen him act so despicably towards anyone.
Brooke : Okay, Nathan. I promise to stay and do everything I can. Haley's counting on me anyway.
Nathan : Fine. But if you need to talk, know that I'm here. I'll also do everything I can to talk sense into Lucas.
Brooke : Thanks, Nathan. That's very kind. Well, I think we better get back to work, or we'll both be fired.
Nathan : You're right. See you soon then?
Brooke : See you soon.
Nathan joins Lucas again in the gym while Brooke then begins her work around the house, before finally going to pick Lily up from school.