In Thomas' bedroom, Brooke set out to put a stop to Hope's affair with Thomas. Brooke said she didn't know what Hope was thinking. Hope quipped that she wasn't thinking; she was feeling, and she'd never felt that way before in her life. Brooke said it would end that night. In Brooke's mind, it wasn't too late, and Liam would forgive Hope.
Hope claimed that Liam didn't want her anymore, couldn't forgive her, and wanted a divorce. Brooke asked Hope to put herself in Liam's shoes and see that he'd been reacting to seeing the kiss. Hope claimed she'd seen divorce in Liam's eyes. Brooke thought Thomas was taking advantage of the situation. Thomas said he wasn't and hadn't wanted to harm Hope's marriage. Brooke found that hard to believe, since Hope and Thomas had been in bed together.
Thomas claimed that he just wanted to see Hope happy. "Then send her home to Liam where she belongs!" Brooke replied, insisting that Liam didn't mean it about the divorce. Brooke said he loved Hope, but Hope declared that he also loved Steffy. Hope said Brooke wouldn't let Hope repeat Brooke's mistakes, and Hope didn't want to repeat them. Hope didn't want to be with a man who was in love with another woman, "and we all know how Liam feels about Steffy."
Brooke said that had been over a long time back, but Hope said it would never end and hung constantly over the marriage. Hope claimed to know Liam felt that way because "he as much said so" to her. Hope felt that Brooke should understand, but Brooke said her relationship with Ridge was very different from Hope and Liam's. Brooke urged Hope to save herself from the pain and heartache, but Hope claimed she was doing that. Hope said she was saving herself.
Hope asked if Brooke wondered why Liam had been able to walk away so easily after Hope had forgiven him for worse. She seethed that Liam couldn't give her that in return because there was a woman always waiting to give Liam exactly what Hope gave him. "Family. Love. Hell, even a daughter!" Hope screamed. Brooke stated that Liam loved Hope and was committed to Hope.
"In the same way that Ridge is committed to you?" Hope replied. Hope apologized, claiming she didn't mean to hurt Brooke. Hope said she didn't want to live her life like that and asked how many decades Brooke had begged for Ridge's love and worried that he was thinking of another.
Hope asserted that she'd always love Liam. She hated the way it had transpired, but she wanted to be with a man who wanted her and only her. Brooke warned that Hope would regret it one day and want to take it back, but it would be too late. Brooke urged Hope to fight for her family and marriage, but Hope said she was fighting for herself.
Brooke asserted that Thomas wouldn't make Hope happy. Hope asked if Brooke had been happy when Hope had claimed she'd had to scrape Brooke off the floor. Brooke said she hadn't been. Hope didn't want to hear that she should fight for her marriage when Liam refused to do it. Hope said Liam was probably at Steffy's right then, begging her to take him back.
Brooke stated that Steffy was married to Finn, but Hope asked when that had ever stopped anyone. Hope claimed to hate hurting Liam, but after all that had happened over the years, Hope wasn't sure she saw a future with Liam. Brooke began to talk about the bad boy, but Hope told her to stop with that. Hope said Thomas had flaws but also strengths, one of which was that he wanted Hope and only Hope. There wasn't another woman in his head; it was just Hope. Hope asked if Brooke knew how good that felt.
Brooke asked if that meant Hope was giving up on her marriage. Hope replied that she didn't have an answer. She just wanted Brooke to keep what she'd seen between them until she figured out her next steps. Hope declared it her life and choices and said she'd live with the consequences. She claimed she deserved more than half of Liam's heart, and she wanted to be with a man who wasn't in love with another woman.
At Spencer, Wyatt persisted in trying to convince Liam to hang onto his marriage. Liam asked how Hope could have feelings for Thomas. Wyatt replied that Liam didn't even know if Hope did or not. Insisting that he did, Liam stated that the kiss had been real, passionate, and lustful. It had made Liam sick to his stomach. Liam said Steffy had tried to tell him.
Wyatt asked if Liam would believe Steffy. Liam didn't know what to believe, but he insisted that he knew Hope had looked him in the eye and insisted that he'd been crazy to believe that anything could happen between her and Thomas. Liam said she'd called him crazy for doubting that she loved him and their family more than anything in the world. "She does," Wyatt replied.
"You are asking me to deny reality!" Liam screamed, insisting that what he'd seen hadn't been a figment of his imagination. Wyatt agreed but said Liam was the most forgiving person Wyatt knew, and if anyone could find a way, it would be Liam. Liam said Steffy had told him the same thing. Wyatt asked if Liam had been talking to Steffy a lot. Liam admitted that he had been a little. Wyatt asked if there was another reason Liam wasn't fighting for his marriage and how Steffy factored into things.
Liam admitted that Steffy was still his friend. Wyatt asked if Liam had talked to her since he'd been back. With a nervous laugh, Liam replied that he'd been to the house. Wyatt asked if it had been to see Kelly. Liam asked if it was okay that he tried to see his daughter as much as possible. Wyatt wondered if he'd talked to Steffy about Hope and his feelings of betrayal.
Liam murmured that Steffy knew how he felt. Wyatt asked if any old feelings had come up. Liam repeated that she knew how he felt. Wyatt asked if something could be going on that would impact the whole situation with Hope. Liam admitted that he'd done something stupid: he'd kissed Steffy.
Later, Wyatt asked what Liam had been thinking to kiss Steffy in Rome and once again back home. Liam said he hadn't known what he'd been thinking, and he'd been shell-shocked. Wyatt asked if Liam had thought the best thing to do had been to kiss Steffy, with whom Liam had tons of history. Liam added that she was happily married to Finn and had a family. Liam asserted that it had been dumb, stupid, and wrong. Wyatt said going down that road wasn't fair to anyone.
Liam replied that he never should have crossed the line like that. He respected Finn and Steffy and their marriage, and Liam said he'd been totally wrong. He said he'd promised that he'd never do that again or interfere in her life or marriage ever again.
At Steffy's house, Ridge was disappointed that Finn had had to leave before they could talk about soccer -- football, as Ridge called it. Steffy was grateful for her life and how easy things were with Finn, especially in light of how things were going with Liam and Hope.
Ridge felt for Hope and Liam. Steffy said Liam wasn't himself. Ridge expressed concern that the situation might cause Thomas to backslide. Steffy wished none of it had happened. Ridge was sure Hope and Liam would move beyond it. "It was a kiss. That was all," Ridge said.
Ridge decided that he had to keep an eye on his son and said Taylor was also worried about Thomas falling back into the black hole. Steffy replied that she'd advised Liam that it would take time, but he had to forgive Hope. Ridge said Liam was lucky to have Steffy, and it was nice that they were still close. Steffy said forgiveness was possible when one loved another, and Liam did love Hope.
Kelly emerged from her bedroom, upset because she'd had a bad dream about Daddy. She said something had happened to him; she'd been crying for him, but he couldn't hear her. Hugging the girl, Steffy said nothing had happened to Daddy. She asked if Kelly remembered what he'd said to her before she'd fallen asleep. Kelly stated that he loved her to the moon and back. Steffy added that he always would.
Later, Steffy had put Kelly back to bed, and Ridge recalled comforting Steffy when she'd had bad dreams. Steffy confessed that she'd sometimes made up the dreams just so Ridge would stay with her. He said he loved that and had had no idea. Steffy said nothing made her feel safer than her dad had, and by the same token, Kelly adored Liam, who hated not being there. Steffy said Liam was a great dad but had two families.
Ridge asked if Hope had turned to Thomas because Steffy still had a connection with Liam. Ridge felt that if Hope thought Liam still had feelings for Steffy, it could undermine their relationship. Steffy flashed back to Liam kissing her in Rome. Steffy stated that Liam loved Hope, and his future was with her.
At the cliff house, Finn and Steffy were laughing about the cereal he'd had to help her get out of her hair due to a morning with the kids. Finn said they had to find a new nanny because Amelia was gone, but he was sure he and Steffy could find small moments to reconnect. He felt blessed to be in a strong marriage, "considering what Hope and Liam are going through."
The topic turned to Liam, who was supposed to visit Kelly after talking to Hope that morning. Steffy hoped that no news about the couple meant good news. Finn said it would be ideal if Hope and Liam could work it out for the good of them all, including Finn and Steffy. She replied that Liam wouldn't be showing up and unloading his issues on them.
Finn said he hadn't meant that. Finn supported Liam in Kelly's life, but he didn't want Liam there whenever Liam felt like it, spending too much time with Steffy if it didn't work out with Hope -- especially while Liam was feeling vulnerable. Steffy nodded. Finn stated that he wasn't jealous of Liam and didn't question Steffy. Finn just didn't trust an emotionally free-falling Liam, who might be reminded of his history with Steffy.
Steffy said that it was just that: history. Finn asserted that Liam had better not forget it. Taking his hands in hers, Steffy assured Finn that he had nothing to worry about. She said she was committed to him and their life together. Finn said he knew it, and though he felt for Liam, he didn't want Liam's mind wandering to thoughts of Steffy and Kelly. Steffy insisted that Liam knew they were solid. Finn replied that the kiss had to have been a shock, but it might be that people couldn't resist the power of Rome. Steffy flashed back to the kiss and shook her head.
In Eric's office, Brooke tried to work but thought of her argument with Hope the night before. Ridge arrived and guessed he knew why she seemed miles away. He stated that he'd forgotten to say how thankful he was for what she'd done the previous night, and he wondered how it had gone with Thomas. Ridge was grateful that Brooke had talked to Thomas and knew that Rome wasn't on him. Ridge said it had been a mistake, and the two kids had done something dumb. "It's a silly kiss; that's all," he concluded, sure Hope and Liam would get beyond it.
Ridge asked again how it had gone with Thomas. Brooke said it had been surprising, not at all what she'd expected. Ridge got it but reminded Brooke that Thomas wasn't the same person and had become a better man. Brooke replied that she wanted to believe it, but she wasn't sure that she could. Ridge asked if she could see that Thomas was trying. Ridge wanted Brooke to give Thomas a chance and said it had been one kiss; they needed to get past it.
Ridge stated that he wanted to believe things would work out for the best. He had faith that people could work through their mistakes and put the mistakes behind them. Brooke wanted to believe it, but she sensed that many lives would be impacted if Hope and Liam couldn't find their way back to each other.
In Brooke's cabin, Hope waited. Liam arrived, guessing she'd gotten his text message. She said she agreed that they needed to talk about their marriage and future. Claiming she'd been thinking of the future, their past, and how they'd wound up there, she hated what she'd done to hurt him in Rome. She said that if there was hope for their marriage, they had to have an honest conversation about everything. "You and Thomas?" he asked. She added, "And you and Steffy."
Hope claimed to take full responsibility for her actions. She said she prided herself on her morals and standards and wasn't proud that she'd given in to desire in Rome. She didn't know if she'd been caught up in the moment or looking for an escape, but the desire had been real. Hope told Liam that they needed to admit that Thomas wasn't the only one who'd interfered in their marriage, and whether Liam wanted to admit it or not, she suspected that Liam had already run to Steffy. Liam countered that she'd probably seen Thomas and asked what they'd do.
Liam stated that Steffy was happily married, and nothing was happening there; however, Thomas wasn't. Liam asked if Hope wanted a relationship with Thomas. Hope replied that they weren't talking about Thomas at that moment; they were talking about Steffy and the relationship Liam had had with her throughout their marriage. Liam stated that it was what Hope wanted to talk about to deflect, and he asked if it was Hope's excuse for kissing Thomas.
Hope argued that she'd meant her apology and owned what she'd done. She claimed that she'd realized that the kiss had been about something far deeper. She claimed it was about the cyclical pattern with Steffy that had eroded the foundation of their relationship throughout so many years. It didn't make sense to Liam, who said Hope had to connect the dots.
Hope decided that it was a fear ingrained deeply inside of her from childhood, having to watch Brooke shed tears over Ridge and his divided loyalties between women. She claimed it had changed things inside of her, and she refused to be that woman.
Liam cited that Steffy had been a non-issue in their relationship for a long time, but the kiss in Rome had become retroactively about Steffy. Liam said he knew what Hope was doing. He stated that he'd never questioned Hope's commitment, even when Steffy had rightly told him that Hope had had something going on with Thomas. He said he'd defended Hope, as always.
Hope yelled that it was the problem -- Liam always turning to Steffy. Hope claimed that Steffy's shadow had been cast upon the entire relationship. Hope claimed that anytime she couldn't give him what he needed or he couldn't communicate to Hope, he'd run to Steffy.
Liam replied that he was sorry for it. He said he'd hurt Hope, and he'd made mistakes; however, she hadn't forgiven him as quickly as she expected him to forgive her. He stated that he'd had to earn back her trust for months, and they weren't there because of his mistakes. They were there because of her mistakes, and she had done it with the one person who'd tried over and over to destroy their family. Liam said he wanted a divorce because he didn't understand her and didn't know who she was. He said he still didn't know what was going on with her and Thomas, but "if you want to tell me, great."
Hope held up her left hand, and Liam seemed shocked that her rings were missing. She said he'd wanted a divorce -- and that meant his life was his, and hers was hers. She stated that he wanted it, and she accepted it. Liam stated that she'd beaten him to it and taken off her ring first. Liam said he'd cherished what they had and always would, but he felt that she had to stop telling herself that it was because of him and Steffy. "It's because of you and Thomas. I haven't done anything wrong," Liam said.
Hope claimed that he had by planting seeds of betrayal throughout the years, and he'd never truly faced any consequences for it. She claimed it was her fault for trying to do the right thing for their family and marriage. She claimed she'd tried to forgive and move on. She felt she needed to thank him for not allowing her the same grace because it had opened her eyes. She was sorry she'd hurt Liam, but she didn't want to spend the rest of her life with a man, wondering where his affections truly lay.
"So, go. Find love. Hell, even go find Steffy," Hope concluded.
At the beach house, Finn received a call from the hospital with news that "some former patient" needed to see him. Steffy praised her husband as a kind man who would do anything for his patients. After Steffy headed off to the office, a frantic Finn was on the phone, raging against whatever the person on the other end had told him. "Tell them I'll do it one last time -- one time, that's it," he snarled.
In the executive office at Forrester Creations, R.J. tried on some of the fashions from the new men's collection. As he tried on shirt after shirt, R.J. confessed that he was worried about Hope's marriage. R.J. questioned if Liam would really throw away his life and marriage because Hope had shared "one kiss" with Thomas.
Steffy arrived at work just as Ridge raced to get off of a call with a reporter. In passing, Ridge mentioned that Carter had told him that Sheila's trial was fast approaching. Steffy grumbled that the day when they could put Sheila behind bars for good "couldn't come soon enough."
In the visitors' room at the Los Angeles County Jail, Mike pulled some strings so that he could meet with Sheila ahead of her trial. Mike wondered if Sheila was adjusting to prison life, and he urged her to keep her expectations low. Sheila rolled her eyes and forced a laugh as she jokingly thanked Mike for his optimism.
Sheila admitted that her future was looking "rather bleak." She shared that she'd reached out to Jack Finnegan for help but that he "couldn't shut [her] down fast enough." Sheila claimed that she could accept spending the rest of her life behind bars, but the idea of knowing that she could never be close to Finn or Hayes again was too much to bear.
A guard told Mike that his visiting time was up. Mike promised that he would try to see Sheila as often as he could. Mike was then escorted back to his cell. Sheila wasn't taken back to her cell and asked if someone else would be visiting her. When a guard told her yes, Sheila prayed that her mystery visitor would be Finn. Moments later, the door swung open, and Sheila jumped to her feet as she saw Finn's face.
Finn grumbled that he was only there as Sheila's doctor. Sheila said that it didn't matter what the reason was for Finn's visit; she was just happy to see him. Finn was visibly uncomfortable as Sheila told Finn that, as his mother, she would never stop loving him.
At the cabin, Hope owned up to what she had done with Thomas, but Hope noted that their marriage had other problems. "Thomas isn't the only who has interfered in our marriage. Steffy has been there all along," Hope said coldly. Liam was confused about how Steffy had been drawn into the conversation. "Because you love her," Hope replied matter-of-factly. Hope tried to draw an analogy between the years that Brooke and Taylor had fought over Ridge, and her and Liam's predicament, but it was an analogy that Liam didn't understand.
When Liam asked if Hope was trying to indicate that she wouldn't be running off with the "bad boy," Hope became annoyed and asked Liam to explain why he viewed Thomas as bad. "Is it because he loves me? Because he's dedicated to me? Is it because he's loyal? Is it because when I look into his eyes, I just see a hundred percent commitment, and I can't say the same for you?" Hope snapped.
Liam said that he didn't understand why Hope was trying to deflect from the fact that she'd kissed Thomas. Rather than address the kiss, Hope asked Liam how he had been able to so quickly ask for a divorce. She asked him if he had gone to Steffy after learning of the kiss and told Steffy that leaving her was the biggest mistake of his life. Liam stood wide-eyed and silent as he listened to Hope.
Liam acknowledged that he'd had a history with Steffy. "What is the problem?" Liam asked, questioning, "That I gave all of that up for you?" Hope looked devastated by Liam's words. Liam almost immediately apologized for what he had said. Hope wondered if she and Liam being together was "always going to be impossible." Liam asked Hope what she was saying. "Maybe this situation is just untenable," she replied. She told Liam that he no longer had to feel torn between his marriage and spending time at Steffy's.
Hope showed Liam divorce papers that she'd had her attorney draw up. A shellshocked Liam picked up the papers. Hope said that since Liam had asked for a divorce, she had taken him at his word and contacted her lawyer. Liam sat across from Hope at the table and asked if she was ready to walk away from their marriage. Hope wiped tears away and said that she hadn't planned for their marriage to end, nor did she want to raise their daughter in a broken family. "But here we are," Hope sobbed.
"You will be free to live your life, and I will be free to live mine," Hope said. She took the divorce papers from him and, in front of Liam, signed her name. She then pushed the papers back to Liam, who did the same. Silent and avoiding eye contact with Hope, Liam removed his wedding ring and placed it on the divorce papers.
Liam and Hope joined hands for a moment before Liam rose to his feet. He walked over to Hope, put his hand on her shoulder, and walked toward the door. Hope, who was still facing forward, did not see Liam break down. Liam quickly regained his composure, looked back at Hope, and realized that she hadn't seen his display of emotion. Liam quietly exited the cabin. Alone, Hope slid Liam's wedding ring on her finger and wept openly.
At the prison, Finn met Sheila in the visitation area because she'd requested that he conduct her pre-trial exam. As he conducted the exam, he said it shouldn't take long. She quipped that she had no place to be. He asked if she'd had complications since the heart attack. She replied that she panicked whenever her heart raced. She assumed it was stress. Recalling that she could be dead, Sheila told Finn that he could have let her die, but he'd saved his mother's life.
Finn reminded Sheila that he'd taken an oath not to harm, and he'd treated her like any other patient. Sheila insisted that she'd still never forget it. She said memories of Finn helped her sleep at night, and with her trial approaching, they helped her forget for at least a moment that she might never be a free woman again.
Finn checked Sheila's heart and noted that it was racing. Sheila said she was stressed, and her day of reckoning was approaching. She knew she couldn't escape it, and the thought of living without Hayes and Finn was too much. She said she knew what pain she'd caused Finn and his loved ones, but she loved him more than her own life.
Sheila wasn't proud of the choices she'd made and the people she'd hurt, but she was very proud that she'd given birth to Finn. Finn said he'd always be grateful for that, and he hoped she found a positive purpose for her life, even if behind bars. He told her that she was well enough to stand trial, and he'd be at the hearing. She said she'd see him one last time.
Finn turned to leave, but Sheila told him that no matter how long they'd been apart, the love was still there. She'd loved him from the moment he'd entered the world, and she had never stopped. She called him her beautiful baby boy and said she'd held him in her arms and stared at him for hours. She stated that it had been and still was the proudest moment of her life. She thanked God that Finn had chosen her as his mother.
Finn turned to leave again, but Sheila grabbed him and hugged him. Unable to fight the feeling, Finn dropped his medical bag and hugged her back. When they released each other, he said that when Sheila held him like that, it felt like something he'd been missing his whole life.
At Il Giardino, Liam was sullen as he glanced around at the happy couples dining together. He flashed back to marrying Hope and to signing the divorce papers. To his surprise, Steffy arrived, saying she'd been in the neighborhood. Liam said he hadn't expected to see her that day.
Prefacing that she didn't mean to pry, Steffy inquired about Liam and Hope. Liam said she wasn't prying, and he appreciated that she cared. Liam showed Steffy his left hand and said Hope had had divorce papers drawn up. Steffy was shocked to hear it and even more surprised that Hope thought her marital problems were due to Liam and Steffy's past together. Steffy concluded that Hope was pointing the blame at someone else for her own behavior.
Liam said he kind of agreed. He didn't fault Hope for not wanting to make her mom's mistakes. Steffy didn't think it justified harshly filing for divorce. Liam replied that it was a pretext. Liam said Hope wasn't wrong that he cared about Steffy and always would; however, he wasn't harboring any romantic delusions of a future with Steffy, and he respected her marriage. Liam said he wouldn't cross any lines or make that mistake again.
Liam began to apologize again for the kisses, but Steffy said they'd known each other long enough. In her view, he didn't need to explain. She knew he'd been in pain and at a breaking point. She wanted to forget about it. Liam insisted on saying how much he respected Finn, who'd had to "transcend so much" with his psychopathic mother.
Not wanting to talk about it, Steffy said Sheila was locked up and would stay there for life. Steffy asserted that Finn knew exactly who Sheila was, and after what she'd done to them, he'd never set eyes on her again.
At Forrester, Hope was trying to work, but she flashed back on signing the divorce papers with Liam. To her surprise, Wyatt arrived. He said he was there as a concerned family member, not the media, and he wouldn't leave until she told him what was going on with her and Liam. Wyatt revealed that he knew about the kiss in Rome. Claiming that he just wanted to talk and see where her head was at, Wyatt asked what she was doing.
Hope admitted that she'd kissed Thomas and hadn't known what she'd been thinking. She concluded that it had needed to happen because of Steffy. Wyatt asked what Steffy had to do with it. Hope replied that Wyatt had seen the endless cycle for himself, and she was tired. She claimed she'd tried to move past it; however, Liam hadn't afforded her that same grace and hadn't been fully committed to the marriage himself.
Wyatt asked where Hope was getting all that from and said she knew Liam and Steffy had been over for a long time. "Like that ever really stopped someone," Hope replied. She said feelings sometimes never went away. Asking him to look at her life, Hope brought up Brooke, Ridge, and Taylor, which was an endless cycle that Hope vowed she'd never wanted to do to her family.
Wyatt said he and Hope knew each other and had been through a lot. He stated that she and Liam were far from being Brooke and Ridge. Hope concluded that some patterns were hard to break. Wyatt claimed that she and Liam had done it and had built a foundation and family. Wyatt thought there was a lot to fight for, but Hope claimed Liam had been the one to stop fighting and to walk out on their marriage so easily. She was resigned to getting off the ride.
Later, Wyatt was surprised to hear that Hope and Liam were divorcing and had already signed papers. Hope said she took responsibility for what had happened in Rome, but she believed it was about much more. She said it was about Liam not fighting for them and years of betrayal. She claimed it was about Steffy's place in Liam's heart.
At Il Giardino for breakfast, Eric and Brooke met and discussed how well HFTF was doing. Calling them quite a team, Eric couldn't wait to see what Thomas and Hope did next. The topic turned to Sheila's trial, which was starting that day. Nearby, Deacon listened in as Brooke said she didn't want to be in court, but Ridge would let her know when Sheila would be sentenced.
Deacon sauntered over to hear more about it. Brooke announced that Sheila's trial would start that day, and Sheila would be out of their lives once and for all. Brooke guessed she should find forgiveness. Deacon replied empathetically about Brooke's need for justice. Brooke said Sheila could spend a thousand years in prison, and it wouldn't make up for the pain and fear she'd caused. Brooke said they could take solace in never worrying about Sheila again.
Later, Brooke said she hated thinking about what could have happened if Deacon hadn't found Finn and Steffy in time. Brooke asked where Sheila's maternal feelings had been. Eric said a psychopath had no feelings. Deacon stated that Sheila had shot Finn by mistake; however, Brooke said it had still happened, and after shooting Steffy point-blank, she'd left them to die. Brooke stated that it wasn't the first time Sheila had killed.
Deacon wondered if Sheila should be in a place to get some help instead of prison. Brooke said Sheila was beyond help. Agreeing, Eric asserted that Sheila belonged in prison. Eric figured that it was a big day for Bill and Ridge, and Brooke added that Deacon had helped, too, buying time for Bill and Ridge to catch Sheila. Eric figured it had been hard for Deacon, and Brooke said he'd put himself at significant risk. Deacon replied that he really hadn't done much.
When talking about Bill's sacrifice, Brooke said he'd alienated everyone for a confession. Deacon replied that it showed that even Sheila needed love. Brooke recalled how terrified Katie had been for Bill, and they hadn't known Ridge had been in on it the whole time and had helped wire the house. Eric said they'd gotten Sheila to confess. Brooke said no one would give Sheila a single thought after that day, but Eric believed it would affect Finn. Deacon looked grave.
In a judge's chambers, Finn paced, unable to believe how much had been going on. Finn brought up the Rome trip, and Liam and Hope's divorce. Steffy preferred to keep quiet about that because she didn't know who knew about it. On the topic of why they were there, Steffy said she'd hoped to never see Sheila again, but it would be worth it if Sheila was sentenced to prison for the rest of her life. Finn said he was as anxious as anyone to see that, and Sheila being his birth mother didn't make a difference. He flashed back to Sheila hugging him.
Later, Steffy was alone when Bill and Ridge arrived with Carter. Bill, who was back from his yacht trip, said he wouldn't miss it for anything. Carter said he couldn't imagine the judge showing leniency. Ridge asked where Finn was, and Steffy said he was taking a call.
In the corridor, Finn ended a call with his office about a patient. He rolled his eyes as Liam approached, and he asked what Liam was doing there. Liam stammered that he was there to show his support. "For Steffy, my wife?" Finn asked. Liam said it was for Steffy, but it was also for Kelly, Bill, and everyone else. Finn replied that he felt for Liam ending his marriage, "but if you think Steffy is just..." Liam asked where that was coming from.
Finn asserted that Liam needed to know Finn wouldn't tolerate anything inappropriate. Liam smirked. Finn said he wasn't naďve, and Liam and Steffy would continue to be history. Liam asked if he could go in. Finn began to say that it was a family affair, but interrupting, Liam reminded Finn that Kelly lived under Finn's roof, which gave Liam a vested interest. Liam desired to see with his own eyes that none of them was threatened by Sheila again.
Finn and Liam went into the judge's chambers, and Steffy asked Liam why he was there. Finn murmured that he'd asked the same thing. Liam said he wanted to see Sheila sentenced and have the assurance that they'd never have to deal with her again. Bill and Ridge approached, and Bill said they all wanted to close the chapter.
A door opened, and Sheila was led in, wearing her uniform and cuffs. She sat silently with her attorney but glanced at Finn and smiled. Liam noticed Finn and Sheila looking at each other.
After everyone had been seated, Steffy whispered to Finn, telling him to stop making eye contact with Sheila, who was trying to drum up pity. Bill, Carter, and Liam chatted amongst themselves about Sheila possibly pleading to a lesser charge, but Carter said they had a confession.
Judge Evan Scott arrived and called the special session to order. He said they were there to discuss Sheila's charges in chambers to expedite the process. He said Sheila had been charged with murder in the first degree, carrying a term of life in prison.
Judge Scott was empathetic to those harmed by Sheila, who'd committed and admitted to heinous crimes. Scott said she should be punished. He commended Bill and Ridge for going above and beyond to protect their "family," saying that Sheila had terrorized the Forrester family for years. Scott sympathized with Finn for having to see his mother in handcuffs and for the pain he'd experienced. Scott said they'd been waiting for that day, but it pained him greatly to say what he had to say.
Scott said that after reviewing the case, there was no legal footing because the evidence tying Sheila to murder had been obtained through an unlawful search and seizure. "What!" Bill yelled. Scott stated that Bill's use of personal connections to federal investigators had been murky, and it had been a glorified fishing expedition for a confession without knowing what crimes might or might not have been committed prior to the defendant's admission. The means of surveillance had been illegal, as well. Scott had no choice but to grant the defense's motion to suppress the evidence.
Judge Scott added that, without further evidence, the charges against Sheila relied upon hearsay and speculation and were dropped. Steffy yelled that Sheila had tried to kill them. Scott replied that Finn and Steffy had withdrawn their statements and refused to testify, and if there was no new evidence, he had no recourse but to dismiss it and order her immediate release.
Scott slammed down his gavel, and outrage erupted in the room. Bill yelled that after all he'd been through, the judge would let "the nut" walk on a technicality. Steffy asked how she'd keep her children safe. As the "injured parties' attorney," Carter motioned to file for an appeal. The judge agreed but said Carter was wasting his time. Sheila asked if she was free to go.
The judge affirmed it but doubted Sheila would be so lucky if he saw her in his court again. An officer removed her shackles, and she hugged her attorney. She and Finn stared at each other in disbelief. Sheila left with her attorney, and in the corridor, she asked if she was really free. The attorney affirmed it and asked her to wait there to fill out some paperwork.
Sheila was alone in the corridor when Finn approached. Elated, she cried, saying she'd never imagined being freed. She hugged him, and Finn felt compelled to hold her. Liam entered the corridor, and his expression hardened when he saw Finn and Sheila.
