Basking in the glow, Caroline tells Rick that he makes her so happy. He says too that it feels so right. She says now his sister will have the chance to feel that way too when he tells Hope the truth. Hope asks her mother if she knows what Rick wants to talk to her about; it seemed so important. He's been a great big brother and she knows he's worried about her. Hope says yes she is in pain, but she is coping. Steffy calls and needs to speak with Hope about her line, so she puts off Rick to see Steffy first. Liam tells Bill that he hated how he used to meddle in his life, but he has to admit that he was right about Steffy. She makes him laugh and feel good. Bill says yes she is good for him. Liam says that he is grateful for his support. And just so they are clear, when it comes to Hope, he hasn't completely worked through all his feelings for her. Rick admits to Brooke that he's been keeping something from everyone but he can't do that anymore. Steffy tells Hope that it can't be easy coming to the office every day and seeing photos all the time of Liam, so maybe they need to change that to more environmental. Hope says no, she can't do that. She is still in love with Liam. Caroline and Rick are shocked when he starts telling Brooke about lying to Othello and then Caroline mentions why Deacon was in Italy, all because Bill was manipulating everything only for Brooke to say that she already knows. She and Donna both knew and Donna was on her way to tell Liam when she found him with Steffy instead. Now if Liam is told, he may not be able to forgive his father. Caroline calls Bill. Although he is busy, she insists she needs to see him right away at Brooke's house. She tells Brooke that Bill is her uncle and she loves him, but she can't let this go unnoticed. Hope tells Steffy that she can't let go. She still believes that she and Liam belong together. Something always just came up and split them apart that were not of their doings. Bill comes to Brooke's and Rick and Caroline tell him what they know. Rick says he does not like Bill's son and does not think he is good enough for Hope. He tells of the lie he told Othello that was passed on to Hope. That plus the deception of Bill in Italy is why Liam and Hope aren't married right now. Now, thanks to Caroline, they are going to tell him the truth. Bill says no way. He claims he does not like Rick either. He says they have it all wrong. Hope isn't good enough for Liam so that part is correct. And that they aren't a couple is the way it should be. Liam drops in but Steffy is called away, leaving Hope and Liam alone. She says it still hurts to see him with Steffy, kissing and making out, but she is coping. He starts to stammer and reply, but she speaks up and says she loves him. She will always love him, but she wishes things were different between the two of them. He says a meek "Me, too."
Caroline: Wow. Rick: Mm-hmm. Caroline: (Giggles) Rick: That's a good way to break in the day. Caroline: (Chuckles) You think? Yeah, I think so, too. (Giggles) You make me so happy. Rick: You know, being with you like this... it just feels right. Caroline: (Sighs) And maybe your sister will get a chance to feel like this, too, after we tell her the truth. [SCENE_BREAK] Hope: Hey, Mom, have you talked to Rick? Brooke: About? Hope: Um, the reason why he wants to talk to me-- it--it seemed really important. Brooke: No, I haven't even seen him. Hope: He's been so "big brothery" lately. Brooke: He's concerned about you. Hope: I know. He's... (Sighs) the only one that I can count on-- besides you, obviously. (Chuckles) Brooke: Oh, honey. Hope: Don't. Mom, don't. Brooke: I just want you to know I'm really proud of you for how you're handling this. Hope: I think I put on a good act. Brooke: I think it's more than that. Hope: No, it's not. I go from hour to hour. Liam's always there, right behind the next thought. I will never stop loving him. Brooke: (Sighs) Oh, honey. Mm. Hope: (Sighs) [SCENE_BREAK] (Cell phone rings) Hope: Mm. Sorry. (Clears throat) (Ring) Hope: Oh, how appropriate. (Rings) Hope: Hello, Steffy. What's up? Steffy: Can I see you sometime today? It's about your line. Hope: Can it wait? Steffy: Sure, if you're busy. But we do need to talk. Hope: Okay. I'll be there soon. Um... could you... (Sighs) tell Rick that I'll meet up with him later? Steffy needs to see me at work. Brooke: Okay. Hope: Okay. Brooke: But before you go, I really am concerned. Hope: Mom, I'm fine. I really--I'm fine. Brooke: No, you're not, really. You're in pain. I can see it. Hope: (Sighs) Yes, I am in pain. But I'm coping. I miss him so much. But I'll survive. Okay? I'll be home later. I love you. Brooke: Love you. [SCENE_BREAK] Bill: So you bought the domain name? Liam: I did. And now they're anxious to sell. Bill: Yeah, I'll bet-- at a much more favorable price. Well done, my boy. Liam: Ah, thank you. Uh, hey, something else I wanted to bring up to you. Bill: Shoot. Liam: Um... (Chuckles) you know, I always hated how you meddled in my life, but--and that's in the past now, but I, uh, I gotta admit... (Sighs) you were right about Steffy. (Chuckles) Bill: And your feelings for Hope? Liam: Uh, you know, it wasn't meant to be. And I'm sorry I hurt her. I'll always regret that. But, uh, when it comes to Steffy, I mean, what can I say? She makes me laugh. Life is good. Bill: She's good for you, son. Liam: Hey, um, by the way, I really appreciate your support. I mean, we've come a long way, you and I, and, uh, that means a lot to me. [SCENE_BREAK] Rick: She isn't here? Brooke: Steffy called, and she needed Hope at work. Rick: (Sighs) Brooke: But Hope did say that you were trying to reach her, and it might be important, so... Rick: Yeah, it is. Brooke: Do you mind my asking what it involves? Rick: (Sighs) Caroline: It involves Hope and my cousin Liam. Brooke: I see. Rick: No, Mom, I don't think you do. (Sighs) I've been keeping something from everyone. And Caroline has convinced me that... that I can't do that anymore. [SCENE_BREAK] Bill: This is a fine piece of work. Liam: (Chuckles) Thanks. Bill: My kid's making his mark. Liam: Yeah, well, I'm trying. Bill: And succeeding in all aspects of your life. Liam: Yeah. Um, hey, listen, I-I-I know you're really glad I'm with Steffy, but, um, we don't have to discuss it to death. Bill: I'm just saying, it's good to learn from your mistakes. Liam: Okay, hey, I-I know how you feel about Hope, but just so we're clear, I'm not quite finished working through my feelings about her. [SCENE_BREAK] Hope: Well, I can see why you called me. (Sighs) These sales numbers are pretty grim. Steffy: I'm thinking about a new approach to Hope for the Future. Hope: Okay. Um, I mean, we need to shift the focus, separate it from my personal life. Steffy: I agree. Hope: This campaign has always been about me and my beliefs, my relationship with Liam... Steffy: (Sighs) Hope: Weddings that never happen, scandals that did. (Scoffs) God. It is no wonder why I've lost my credibility. Steffy: It might not be a bad thing... for you, personally... Hope: Mm. Steffy: A new orientation. I mean, it--it can't be easy going into the office and seeing pictures of Liam everywhere. Hope: (Clears throat) Steffy: So why don't you go towards a-a more environmental angle? Change up the campaign-- something different for you. Hope: Something different that would help me forget about Liam, you mean. That's not going to happen. I'm still in love with Liam. [SCENE_BREAK] Brooke: You told Othello to lie? Rick: I was trying to protect my sister. Brooke: Rick, she was devastated. Yes, I know maybe you were trying to help, but lies can be very destructive. Rick: I know that now. Caroline: It's not too late. Hope has been treated unfairly, and she deserves to know the truth. Brooke: Yes. But so much has happened. Rick: More than you know. Caroline: The reason that Hope's father showed up the day of her wedding in Italy-- my uncle Bill was responsible for that. Brooke: Who told you this? Caroline: I overheard him and Katie talking about it. Somehow, he got Deacon out of prison... Brooke: (Sighs) Caroline: And he flew him there, and that's why Hope was late on her wedding day, and that's also why Liam and Steffy ended up in a hotel room together. Brooke: I know. [SCENE_BREAK] Rick: You know about this? Caroline: What my uncle Bill did? Brooke: Yes. So does Donna. Rick: How? Who told you? Brooke: Bill admitted it. We were furious at first. Rick: (Sighs) Caroline: And--and you didn't tell Hope? Brooke: We planned to. Donna was on her way to see her, but instead... Rick: I-instead what? Brooke: (Sighs) She didn't find Hope. (Sighs) She found Liam and Steffy together. Rick: So you decided not to say anything. Brooke: No. Hope had been through so much already. I didn't think it was worthwhile. Rick: You see, that's why I lied to Hope, too, about what happened that night. Liam had been jerking her around for too long, and I just--I-- I couldn't stand it anymore, Mom. Brooke: (Sighs) Caroline: I understand. You both did what you felt was best for Hope, but nothing has changed for her. She's suffering. She still loves Liam, and--and Liam still loves Hope. And, yes, he's with Steffy, but would he be if he knew all of this? Brooke: If Liam finds out that his father did this, he may not be able to forgive him. Caroline: I know. And I hate that. But there has to be accountability, even for uncle Bill. You can't just play with people's lives and expect no consequences. Brooke: (Sighs) [SCENE_BREAK] Bill: Okay. No more talk about Hope. Liam: Thanks. So you, uh, you heading home to check on Katie and the baby? Bill: Yeah. Liam: Everything okay? Bill: We're working through it. Liam: Yeah, you guys have been through a hell of a lot. It's still hard, isn't it? Bill: She walked out, Liam, not just on me, on our son. Liam: I know, but it's not really Katie's fault. Bill: (Sighs) We're sorting through it. (Cell phone rings) Bill: Spencer. Caroline: Hi, it's Caroline. I need to see you. Bill: I'm in the middle of something. Caroline: (Sighs) I-I really need to talk to you. Bill: Caroline, look, I-- Caroline: I'm at Brooke's house. Will you come, please, now? Bill: All right, I'm on my way. Caroline: (Sighs) He's my uncle, and I love him, but I can't condone what he did to Hope and Liam, and he needs to know that I'm not gonna keep his secret. [SCENE_BREAK] Steffy: I'm sorry, Hope. I know it's tough. Hope: I suppose you do. You've been there. Steffy: And it's time to move on for both of us. Hope: I'm trying. Steffy: Then what is holding you back? Hope: (Sighs) Steffy: Okay, no, I-I'm sorry. I know. You've already told me that. Hope: But you know, it's-- it's not just my feelings for Liam. I'm having a problem making sense of all of this. (Clears throat) Steffy: But you were the one who said it was over. You said that you couldn't do it anymore, Hope. Hope: Yes, I did. But it's not that simple, because every time things were really good between us, something would happen, something really unexpected would happen, like--like Deacon showing up in Italy at our wedding. And at the wedding in L.A., Liam shows up with dyed hair and a fake tattoo, because he spent all night clubbing with you. And then he lied about it. Steffy: Wait, you still think that we lied about... Hope: (Clears throat) Steffy: What happened or what didn't happen that night? Hope: It doesn't matter. You two are together, and I hope you're both very happy. Liam and I had our chance, and we couldn't make it work. I'll never really understand that, but I have to be honest with you. I still believe that Liam and I belong together. [SCENE_BREAK] Hope: Okay. (Sighs) So I'll come up with some new concepts for the line. Uh, is there anything else? Steffy: We need to review your budget. Hope: Right. I'm sure Thomas is cutting that. (Clears throat) Liam: Oh, sorry. Steffy: No problem. Liam: (Sighs) Hey. Hope: Hi. Liam: Brain trust at work? Steffy: Mm-hmm. Almost done. Hope: How's the little brother? Liam: Learning the ropes. (Cell phone rings) Steffy: Hey, Madison. Oh, I need to see it before it goes to print. Okay, great. Thanks. Duty calls. Liam: Oh, yeah? Steffy: Yeah. I'll, um, I'll be back in a minute? Liam: Okay. Steffy: Okay. Liam: Sorry about that. Hope: About what? Liam: Nothing. Hope: Yes, it still hurts to see you and Steffy together. Liam: Yeah. Don't like that--hurting you. Uh, listen, it was really good that you came over to the house. Hope: Yeah. Well, I just wanted to, uh, drop that present off. Liam: Yeah. Yeah. I'm just--I'm glad you felt you could do that. Hope: Well, I didn't expect to run into you. Liam: Yeah, well, you seemed fine. Hope: Yeah. No, I--yeah, I was... Liam: (Clears throat) Hope: Until, uh... Liam: Until what? Hope: Uh, I left my phone, and when I went back to go get it, you and Steffy were on the couch. Liam: Oh, man. Hope: It's okay. It's fine. That's what people do when they're in love. They kiss. They make out. [SCENE_BREAK] (Doorbell rings) Bill: So what's going on? (Sighs) Brooke: (Sighs) Caroline and Rick have something to tell you. Bill: Did I rush over here so you could stare at me? Caroline: When I was at your house this morning, I overheard something. Bill: What? Caroline: You and Katie discussing Liam and Hope. Brooke: They know, Bill, about Italy, Deacon, what you did. Bill: (Sighs) I see. Brooke: And there's something else you don't know, something I just found out. Rick: Yeah, something that I did to Hope and Liam. And thanks to your lovely niece, I've decided to come clean with it. Bill: Enlighten me. Rick: Let me give it to you straight. I don't like your son. I don't think that he's good enough for Hope. Bill: Well, let me give it to you straight. I don't like you. Caroline: (Sighs) Bill: And as far as Hope is concerned, she isn't good enough for my son, so you have that backwards. As far as them being a couple, we agree on that, so no argument from me. Rick: Spoken like a true father. At least we agree on that. But when your son came running into my father's house on the day of his wedding wearing, what, underwear and tattoos, that was the tipping point for me. Bill: (Sighs) Rick: So I did something as outrageous as you did. I called up my friend Othello, and I asked him to lie about what happened at that bar that night. I told him to lie and say that he saw Steffy and Liam making out. Obviously, that didn't happen. That was a fabrication. But that, and along with what you did, is the reason why Hope and Liam aren't married today-- because of my lie and your deception. Bill: And what's your part in this? Caroline: I convinced Rick to tell the truth. Bill: Did you? Well, that's not gonna happen. No way. Caroline: It's time, Uncle Bill. All these lies and heavy-handed tactics, they have to stop. Liam and Hope need to know the truth so that they can have a chance to live their lives together. [SCENE_BREAK] Liam: Listen, Hope, I, um... I-I-I don't... (Chuckles) Hope: I love you. I will always love you. I just wish that things were different between us. Liam: Me, too.