At the beach house, Stephanie lurked behind the doorframe as Rick and Steffy kissed. Brooke called Steffy to tell her that Ridge is having a tough time and asked her to come by Forrester. Steffy told Rick, and it forayed into them discussing Rick giving the designs to Jackie M. "It was a desperate act of love," defended Rick of his decision. They kept kissing and whispering and promising to be there for each other — as Stephanie listened in. Realizing that Ridge still couldn't accept them, they agreed to stay secret a while longer. Then Rick saw Steffy off and collapsed on the couch in relief. That's when Stephanie emerged and scared ten years off Rick's life! She accused Rick of using Steffy to hurt Ridge. Rick swore he loves Steffy. "You're not capable of love," said Stephanie. When Rick realized he couldn't convince Steph otherwise, he asked what she planned to do. Well, she wasn't going to allow Rick to "take another daughter away from my son." She promised she wouldn't let Rick and Steffy be together.

Ridge and Brooke wrapped up some work, marveling at how they were getting out a whole new line in under a week. Ridge was haunted by a "signature dress" he'd designed for Phoebe. Brooke comforted him as he shared how haunted he was by Phoebe's death. Later, Steffy dropped by to lift Ridge's spirits — and felt mighty guilty as Ridge waxed poetic about holding on to the daughter he has left. Steffy gently tried to explain how stubborn Phoebe had been and how the accident wasn't Rick's fault. "Rick's at fault here," insisted a stony Ridge. "I don't want him anywhere near you. EVER."