The situation being still at the same point with Lucas, Brooke wakes up a few days later completely demoralized. She once again spent the night having nightmares because of his attitude towards her. Since the first day, Lucas spends his time putting her down and criticizing her, driving her completely crazy. She does not know at all how to behave with him, hesitating between three possibilities. The first, but also the most radical, is to run away as quickly as possible from this house with her daughter. But that means that she would abandon Lucas to his fate and that, she was incapable of despite all his bullying. All his humiliations did not prevent her from becoming attached to him, feeling that her destiny is linked to this man. The second possibility is also the least bearable for her since it would mean that she would have to continue to suffer Lucas' behavior. She only has the third possibility left which is to completely change strategy. It consists of no longer putting up with Lucas' behavior and showing him that he needs her, contrary to what he claims. Brooke gets up this morning determined to confront him, even if it means starting a war between them. She goes to the bathroom, takes a quick shower, before choosing an outfit for the day. Wearing a light outfit, she puts on makeup and then does her hair carefully. She wants to show Lucas that despite all his remarks, she has the right to dress as she wants. Satisfied and ready to go into confrontation, Brooke then looks at herself one last time in the mirror, before leaving her room.
Like every day now, she's going to wake Lily up to go to school.
Brooke : It's time to get up, sweetie.
Lily : Already?
Brooke : Yes. Get ready and join me in the kitchen quickly. I'll make you a great breakfast.
Lily : Really?
Brooke : Yes, sweetie. What would you like to eat?
Lily : I'd like some chocolate chip pancakes!
Brooke : Then let's go for some chocolate chip pancakes!
Lily : Awesome!
Seeing Lily rocket out of bed to go to the bathroom, Brooke can't help but laugh. She then goes to the kitchen and starts to prepare the pancake batter. Lily enters the room just as she puts a steaming plate on the table.
Brooke : Be careful, the pancakes are still hot.
Touched, she sees her daughter blowing diligently on the pancakes, before eating them with appetite.
Lily : It's so good! Thanks, Mom!
Brooke : You're welcome, sweetie.
Lily : Are you going to bring some pancakes to Mr. Scott?
Brooke : Yes, of course.
Brooke feels a little guilty about lying to Lily knowing full well that she won't do anything. She absolutely doesn't want to try to please Lucas while he spends his time denigrating her cooking. And she tells herself that if he wants pancakes, he just has to make them himself or be nicer to her.
With a little meanness, Brooke hides the rest of the pancakes in a corner to enjoy them later. Still determined to go on strike, she doesn't serve Lucas his breakfast and accompanies Lily to school.
Coming home twenty minutes later, Brooke thinks about what she can do with her free time, since she has decreed that she will not work today. She decides to go up to her room to call Haley and inform her of her plan. Once in the room, she takes her cell phone, then dials the number of Lucas' sister. Haley then picks up very quickly, a hint of anxiety in her voice.
Haley : Hello, Brooke? Is Lucas okay?
Brooke : Yes, he is fine. Don't worry.
Haley : Good. I am reassured. And you, how are you?
Brooke : Not very well, actually. And that's why I'm calling you.
Haley : I'm sorry, Brooke. What's going on?
Brooke : It's because of Lucas.
Haley : I see. Is it that hard?
Brooke : Hard is an understatement, Haley.
Haley : That so hard?
Brooke : Yeah, and that's why I decided to do things differently with him.
Haley : What do you mean?
Brooke : Since he keeps saying he doesn't need me, then I'm going to let him figure it out on his own. We'll see if he sticks to his guns or if he finally admits he needs help.
Haley : I get it, Brooke. But what if it doesn't work out?
Brooke : I don't know, Haley. I must say that I prefer not to contemplate this situation.
Haley : I see. You've grown attached to him, haven't you?
Brooke : If I say yes, I'll look pathetic, right?
Haley : No, that would mean I was right to tell you to stay and that you saw what he's not showing. I love him too, you know. Even though he drives me crazy too. I would do anything to make him feel better again.
Brooke : I promise I'll do anything to make him feel better, Haley.
Haley : Thanks, Brooke. But what if he orders you to leave?
Brooke : Then I'll leave.
Haley : Then I pray you don't have to come to that. In the meantime, you have free rein. Do as you please with him and if he calls me I'll back you up.
Brooke : Thanks, Haley. I'll keep you updated.
Haley : All right, Brooke. See you soon then.
Brooke : See you soon.
Hanging up the phone, Brooke is then reassured to have the support of Lucas' sister. To better understand him, she then decides to take her laptop and look for information about his life. Typing on her keyboard and peeling page after page, she then discovers everything that made up his life before. His birth in Sacramento thirty-five years ago, his brilliant studies at Berkeley, his meteoric rise in business. His lavish marriage to Peyton, the birth of their daughter Sawyer... and the accident that had turned everything upside down. She also learns that this accident took place when Lucas, Peyton and Sawyer were returning from a party at the mayor's house. Lucas apparently lost control of the car on a bend, before rolling over several times. Ejected from the vehicle, he miraculously escaped while his wife and daughter did not survive. Shocked by what she just read, Brooke then abruptly closes her laptop and takes a deep breath. She gets up, more determined than ever to talk to Lucas no matter what.
Wanting to put her plan into action right away, she goes downstairs to start the battle, hoping to run into Lucas and start the hostilities. She then comes face to face with him in the kitchen.
Lucas : Where the hell have you been? I've been looking for you for an hour!
Brooke : Really? Why?
Lucas : Because you didn't come to bring me my breakfast!
Brooke : Yeah, so what? You're old enough to make it yourself!
Lucas : Actually, no! Because of this damn wheelchair, I can't reach certain things in the cupboards!
Brooke : You only had to "nibble on some things" in the kitchen, Mr. Scott. You're used to it by now, since you don't eat anything I make for you.
Lucas : Wait! What are you playing at?
Brooke : I'm not playing anything, Mr. Scott. I'm just not going to bother cooking for you when you're afraid I'll poison you.
Lucas : I see. You're retaliating!
Brooke : No, I'm going on strike.
Lucas : A strike? Are you kidding me?
Brooke : Not at all, Mr. Scott.
Lucas : You have no right to strike! You're here to work!
Brooke : Oh really? I thought I was supposed to "clear the floor"?
Lucas : No, you're here to clean it! Are you planning on turning every sentence I've ever said to you against me?
Brooke : Word for word, Mr. Scott.
Lucas : You have no right to treat me like that and you have no right to strike! I'm going to call Haley and tell her to fire you!
Brooke : Really? You told me you were the one who made the decisions in your own home!
Lucas : And it's true! So you're fired!
Brooke : I don't believe that, Mr. Scott.
Lucas : Really? And why?
Brooke : Because you wouldn't throw a five-year-old girl out.
Lucas : That's so pathetic to use your daughter to protect yourself!
Brooke : And it's really pathetic to use yours to justify your bad behavior.
Lucas : My daughter is dead, Miss Davis!
Brooke : And mine didn't ask to have a horrible father, Mr. Scott!
Lucas : That's not my problem! I'll call the police to make you leave, if I have to!
Brooke : So, go ahead! Do it now! I'm going to go pack our bags!
Unable to take it any longer, Brooke quickly runs up the stairs to her room. Once inside, she immediately collapses against the closed door and bursts into tears, praying that Lucas won't carry out his threat and that her poker move will work.