Ridge’s confession hits Brooke like a freight train—will she choose him once again or walk away forever? Find out how these 7 words changed everything in The Bold and the Beautiful

In the emotional rollercoaster that is The Bold and the Beautiful, Ridge Forrester (Thorsten Kaye) is faced with the ultimate dilemma: staying true to his engagement with Taylor Hayes (Krista Allen) or rekindling his long and turbulent love with Brooke Logan (Katherine Kelly Lang). After years of back and forth between the two women, Ridge’s inner conflict reaches a boiling point when he overhears that Nick Marone (Jack Wagner) is preparing to propose to Brooke.

Ridge may have given his word to Taylor, but his heart has always belonged to Brooke. The very thought of Brooke saying “yes” to Nick sends Ridge into a tailspin of doubt and regret. The decision he’s been avoiding for so long is now unavoidable, and he knows that if he doesn’t act soon, he may lose Brooke forever.

Alone with his thoughts, Ridge takes a long and painful walk down memory lane. He recalls the intense chemistry, the arguments, and the passionate reunions he’s shared with Brooke over the years. But this time, something has shifted within him. The future with Taylor, though secure and stable, pales in comparison to the uncertainty, but undeniable pull he feels toward Brooke.

Finally, Ridge makes up his mind. He rushes to Brooke’s house, his heart racing with anticipation. When Brooke opens the door, the tension is palpable. She can see the conflict in his eyes, but she’s unprepared for the words that will follow.

Ridge doesn’t waste any time. With urgency in his voice, he tells Brooke exactly what’s been weighing on him. “I love you,” he says, his voice thick with emotion. “I always have. I can’t live without you.” These seven words, simple yet powerful, immediately take Brooke by surprise. She has always hoped for this moment but had almost given up on the idea of Ridge ever truly choosing her. Her heart races, and her mind spins as she tries to process the magnitude of what Ridge has just admitted.

But the weight of the moment isn’t lost on Brooke. While she’s always loved Ridge, she knows that she can’t go down this road again without things being different. She won’t settle for a love that’s uncertain, a love that could easily be swept away by the next crisis. With tears in her eyes, Brooke tells Ridge that she loves him, but she won’t be the other woman again. She can’t be part of another love triangle, another game of waiting for him to make up his mind.

Brooke sets a boundary that Ridge must respect: if he truly wants to be with her, he must end things with Taylor—honestly and completely—before they can begin again. It’s a painful decision, but one that Ridge knows deep down he must make if he’s ever going to have the life with Brooke that he’s always dreamed of.

Ridge agrees, and Brooke watches as he walks away, leaving her to process what just transpired. She’s not sure if she’s ready for what’s to come, but she knows one thing for sure—she won’t settle for less than she deserves.

Meanwhile, Nick, blissfully unaware of the storm brewing, plans a romantic evening to propose to Brooke. He’s sure that she will say yes—after all, they’ve reconnected, and he believes that their love can stand the test of time. But when Brooke arrives and sees the ring, she knows immediately what’s about to happen.

Before Nick can even drop to one knee, Brooke gently stops him. With a heavy heart, she tells him the truth: she can’t accept his proposal. While she deeply appreciates everything Nick has done for her, her heart belongs to someone else—Ridge. She apologizes, but she refuses to live a life based on settling for someone who isn’t the one she truly loves.

Nick is blindsided, the pain evident in his eyes, but he nods and smiles through his hurt. Brooke walks away, leaving him with the ring and his shattered hopes of a future with her.

Back at home, Ridge knows that he must speak to Taylor. He can’t continue deceiving her, no matter how painful the truth might be. He sits down with her and, with a heavy heart, tells her everything: his love for Brooke, his indecision, and the realization that he can no longer live a lie. Taylor listens, her face a mixture of pain and understanding. She knows, deep down, that a part of Ridge will always belong to Brooke. She deserves more than being someone’s second choice, and with grace and dignity, she ends their engagement.

Ridge leaves, his heart heavy with regret, but also with a sense of clarity. He returns to Brooke, this time fully committed to her. No more lies, no more triangles—just love, the way it was always meant to be. As they embrace, Ridge promises that this time, it’s real. They’re no longer caught in the web of uncertainty; they are free to move forward together.

This chapter in The Bold and the Beautiful marks the end of one of the most dramatic love triangles in soap opera history. Ridge’s decision to choose Brooke over Taylor isn’t a choice made lightly—it’s the result of years of emotional turmoil, self-discovery, and a deep understanding of what truly matters to him. For Brooke, it’s the moment she’s always dreamed of, but it comes with its own set of challenges. As the story unfolds, fans are left wondering: Will this new beginning last, or will the past come back to haunt them once again?

Stay tuned for more developments in this epic saga, as The Bold and the Beautiful continues to deliver twists and turns that keep viewers on the edge of their sea