While bringing Thorne some lunch, Katie brought him some news — she spotted Ridge and Brooke having a heavy-duty conversation. Over lunch, Thorne and Katie engaged in light, complimentary, mildly flirtatious banter, which led to a kiss which Donna observed while walking past Thorne's office. "Are you sleeping together?" asked Donna. "If I can be happy for you, why can't you be happy for Eric and me?!"

Brooke challenged Ridge to make good on his intentions. Ridge explained he promised Ashley he would let go of Brooke and he tried. But he realized that to do so was to let go of so much of himself and the good in his life. "Do I want a life with you? Kind of comes down to the fact that there's no choice involved," said Ridge. "Because the only life I have, I have with you," he declared to a tearful Brooke. Brooke invited Ridge to join her upstairs in bed to "lay down together." When Brooke came on to Ridge, he suggested they wait because it's too soon (after her rape). Brooke insisted she's OK and is ready for him. They kissed passionately and Ridge declared his love for her as they fell onto the bed. Later, Brooke basked in the afterglow of their lovemaking. "Every dream I ever had is you," cooed Brooke as she kissed Ridge, and they revved up for round two.

Stephanie tore into Donna and Eric for their affair. She tried to fire Donna, but Eric stepped in and fired Stephanie instead. Donna explained that Eric alone is the new owner of Forrester. Eric dropped the bomb that the company legally becomes his once he divorces Stephanie. Stephanie scoffed at the absurdity of Eric's agreement with Nick. Donna excused herself so Eric and Stephanie could talk but not before telling Eric she loved him. "You think this is just some sexual daydream," said Eric to Stephanie, "but it's not." Eric conceded his awareness of how things look because of the age disparity between him and Donna, but insisted none of that matters because he's happy. Eric asked Stephanie why she loved him. Stephanie asked him if he remembered everything they had built and shared together. Eric said he remembers all of it, but proceeded to take off his wedding ring and place it on the table, asking for a separation. Stephanie said she'd get a hotel room while Eric continued to give her the cold shoulder. After trading more insults, Stephanie conceded she isn't sure if she has the strength to fight such a young vixen, but concluded that because of their enduring love for each other she'll find it somehow. She promised Eric she'd be there to pick up the pieces when his dalliance with Donna goes bust. "This is not the end of us," Stephanie declared.