By phone, Donna and Eric rehashed how lucky they were to escape being caught by Stephanie. When Stephanie entered the room, Eric "admitted" that he paid Donna a visit to give her a Valentine's Day gift but she slammed the door in his face. Eric conceded what a "fool" he had been with Donna. As Eric opened the morning paper he freaked out to see a picture of himself standing naked on Donna's ledge. He dropped his coffee and wiped it up with the paper to cover. When Stephanie went upstairs Ridge arrived with his own copy of the paper to ask what's going on. Eric asked Ridge for his help. Ridge flippantly suggested that Eric would have to send Stephanie to Tahiti to keep her from seeing the newspaper. Eric seized on the idea and scheduled a trip for him and Stephanie to Tahiti. Stephanie was surprised by it, but went along for the ride (no pun intended).

On the plane, Stephanie admitted she hired a private eye to follow him, and apologized for it. Stephanie said she understood Eric needed closure with Donna and was gratified that he's now willing to move on with their marriage. She thanked him for the trip and told him he was a true prince. Donna called Eric on his cell. Eric stepped into the forward cabin to take the call and told her about his plans to go to Tahiti with Stephanie until the newspaper stories die down. Meanwhile the flight attended gave Stephanie a drink — and the paper to read. Stephanie flipped the paper open to his photo and became enraged. When Eric returned she pulled the plug on his charade. "You betrayed me. There isn't anything you could possibly say to me to make it right," Stephanie declared. "In one night you have made us the laughing stock of this town." Eric didn't flinch at Stephanie's tirade. "I don't care anymore. I love Donna." Eric expressed his anger at Stephanie for being forced to hide his romance with Donna. "I'm so tired of living with this ax over my head. Our marriage is over, Stephanie. I'm in love with Donna. My future is with Donna, and you're just gonna have to accept it," Eric challenged.

Katie grilled Donna about why she blew off their family meeting and where she was. Donna stonewalled and raised Katie's suspicions. Donna continued to deflect Katie's questions. Donna freaked out when she opened her paper and saw Eric's photo. Katie grabbed the paper out of Donna's hands and was horrified. She admonished Donna and berated her for being so foolish and childish. When Storm arrived, Katie suggested that Storm go back to visit their dad in Europe ASAP. Donna backed up Katie. Storm decided to stay put in L.A., and asked Katie for an explanation. Katie said she'd prefer not to say anything, which seemed to only raise Storm's curiosity.