“CANCEL THE WEDDING OR I’LL MARRY NICK’ Brooke gives Ridge an ultimatum about their reunion
In the heart of Los Angeles, the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm golden hue over the city. Ridge Forrester stood on the balcony of his penthouse, staring out at the sprawling skyline. His mind was a whirlwind of emotions, each thought pulling him in a different direction. Just weeks ago, he had returned from Italy, a trip that was meant to be a simple business venture but had turned into a profound journey of self-discovery.
Ridge had always been a man of passion, torn between two extraordinary women: Taylor Hayes, the steadfast partner who had stood by him through thick and thin, and Brooke Logan, the tempestuous love of his life, whose very presence ignited a fire within him. The complexities of his heart were overwhelming, and as he leaned against the railing, he felt the weight of his indecision pressing down on him.
The memories of Italy flooded back. He had gone there with the intention of focusing on work, but the moment he saw Brooke again, everything changed. Their shared laughter, the way her eyes sparkled when she spoke, and the undeniable chemistry that had always existed between them reignited a flame he thought had been extinguished. Watching Nick Marone, Brooke’s charming suitor, attempt to win her heart only intensified Ridge’s internal struggle. He had convinced himself that his commitment to Taylor was unwavering, but the truth was that his heart was still tethered to Brooke.
As Ridge stood lost in thought, his phone buzzed, breaking the silence. It was a message from Brooke, a simple yet powerful reminder of the ultimatum she had given him. “I can’t wait forever, Ridge,” it read. The words echoed in his mind, a haunting reminder of the choice he had to make. He knew that Brooke was serious; she had made her feelings clear. She wanted him, but only if he was willing to claim her without hesitation.
The thought of losing Brooke to Nick was unbearable. Ridge had seen the way Nick looked at her, the way he swept her off her feet with grand gestures and romantic proposals. But Ridge also knew that beneath the surface, Brooke’s heart belonged to him. She had turned down Nick, waiting for Ridge to find the courage to leave Taylor before their wedding day. Yet, as the days passed, Ridge felt himself becoming more and more trapped by fear.
He remembered the fragile state Taylor had been in before their reunion. She had clung to the hope of a family, of stability, and Ridge was haunted by the thought of breaking her heart again. The guilt weighed heavily on him, and the closer the wedding date approached, the more paralyzed he felt. He was caught in a web of his own making, torn between the woman who offered him comfort and the one who ignited his soul.
Brooke, however, was not one to sit idly by. In true Logan fashion, she took matters into her own hands. One evening, she confronted Ridge, her eyes blazing with determination. “Either you call off the wedding with Taylor, or I will say yes to Nick’s proposal and leave with him to Italy,” she declared, her voice steady yet filled with emotion. The ultimatum struck Ridge like a bolt of lightning, filling him with a sense of panic he hadn’t felt in years.
As he looked into Brooke’s eyes, he saw the depth of her love and the pain of her waiting. The ultimatum shook him to his core, and for the first time, he realized how close he was to losing her forever. Ridge was standing at a crossroads more dangerous than any he had faced before. On one side was Taylor, the woman who had loved him quietly and faithfully, whose stability and devotion offered him comfort. On the other was Brooke, the woman who stirred every ounce of his passion, his one true love, the soulmate he had never been able to walk away from for long.
Time was no longer on his side. The wedding was inching ever closer, and Ridge felt the walls of his indecision closing in on him. He risked not only losing Brooke to Nick but also humiliating Taylor in the most public way possible if he dared to break things off. The thought of shattering Taylor’s dreams, of making himself the villain in a story where everyone was already watching too closely, was paralyzing.
As the days turned into a blur, Ridge found himself replaying the moments he had shared with both women. With Taylor, there was a sense of safety, a comfort that came from years of shared history. But with Brooke, there was an electric connection, a passion that made him feel alive. He knew he had to make a choice, but the fear of hurting someone he cared about was suffocating.
Finally, the day of the wedding arrived. Ridge stood at the altar, dressed in a tailored suit, his heart racing. The church was filled with friends and family, all eagerly awaiting the union of Ridge and Taylor. But as he looked down the aisle, his heart sank. Taylor was radiant, a vision of beauty and grace, but all he could think about was Brooke. The weight of his indecision felt unbearable, and he could feel the eyes of everyone in the room on him, waiting for him to make a move.
As the ceremony began, Ridge’s mind raced. He could hear the officiant’s voice, but the words were a blur. All he could think about was Brooke’s ultimatum, the way she had looked at him with hope and desperation. In that moment, he realized that he could no longer live in fear. He had to follow his heart, no matter the consequences.
With a sudden surge of courage, Ridge interrupted the ceremony. “Wait!” he called out, his voice echoing through the church. The room fell silent, and all eyes turned to him in shock. Ridge took a deep breath, his heart pounding in his chest. “I can’t go through with this. I love Brooke, and I need to be with her.”
Gasps filled the air as Ridge turned to Taylor, who looked stunned. “I’m so sorry, Taylor. You deserve someone who can give you their whole heart, and I can’t do that. I love you, but my heart belongs to Brooke.”
With that, Ridge rushed out of the church, his heart racing as he made his way to Brooke. He found her standing outside, tears in her eyes. “Ridge,” she whispered, her voice trembling.
“I choose you, Brooke,” he said, taking her hands in his. “I should have done this a long time ago. I love you, and I want to be with you.”
Brooke’s face lit up with joy, and in that moment, all the pain and uncertainty melted away. They embraced, knowing that they had finally found their way back to each other. Ridge had faced his fears and made the choice that would change their lives forever. Together, they stepped into a new chapter, ready to embrace the love that had always been meant to be.
