When Kelly stepped off the plane at LAX, the California sun was bright, but there was nothing warm about the look on her face. She clutched her small carry-on bag tightly, scanning the terminal as if expecting someone to appear—but no one did. Alone, she made her way through the crowd, her mind racing with the weight of what she had to share. Every step toward home felt heavier than the last, each moment pulling her closer to the inevitable confrontation with Ridge Forrester. In the weeks leading up to her return, Kelly’s life had been turned upside down by a series of events that she could barely believe herself. She had left Los Angeles with someone at her side, a plan in motion, and a sense of certainty about her future. But somewhere along the way, things had fallen apart in a way she never could have predicted. The journey back wasn’t planned; it was a necessity—a desperate escape from a situation that had spiraled beyond her control. As she arrived at the Forrester mansion, she hesitated at the door, drawing a deep breath. The familiar surroundings felt almost alien now, every polished surface and framed photograph a reminder of how much her life had changed since she last walked these halls. Ridge was in the living room, reviewing sketches for the next Forrester Creations collection. The moment he looked up and saw her standing there alone, his brow furrowed. “Kelly? Where is—?” he started, his voice tinged with surprise and concern. She didn’t let him finish. “They’re not coming back, Ridge,” she said softly, the words trembling on her lips. His confusion deepened. “What do you mean? What happened?” Kelly placed her bag down and took a seat, bracing herself for the conversation ahead. She explained everything—the sudden disappearance, the betrayal, the truth she had uncovered just days ago that changed everything she thought she knew. As she spoke, Ridge’s expression shifted from shock to disbelief, and finally to a grim acceptance that this was no misunderstanding. The news Kelly carried wasn’t just personal—it had the power to alter relationships, careers, and the delicate balance of trust within their tight-knit circle. Her revelation tied back to long-buried secrets that Ridge himself thought had been left in the past. It wasn’t simply about one person’s actions; it was about a chain reaction that could ripple through Los Angeles society, the fashion industry, and the Forrester family itself. Kelly’s voice cracked as she admitted she had debated whether to tell him at all, knowing the fallout could be catastrophic. But in the end, she couldn’t keep it to herself. Ridge sat in silence for a long moment, processing her words, the weight of the truth settling over him like a storm cloud. He knew that once this information became public, there would be no going back. Loyalties would be tested, alliances would crumble, and the people they cared about most could be caught in the crossfire. Still, he also understood that Kelly’s decision to return home alone—and to tell him first—was an act of trust. “We’ll deal with this,” Ridge finally said, his voice steady but laced with determination. “No matter what it takes.” Kelly exhaled a shaky breath, relief and fear mixing in equal measure. She had done what she came back to do. The rest, as Ridge knew all too well, would be a battle neither of them could face without scars. And in the glamorous yet ruthless world of The Bold and the Beautiful, the truth was often the most dangerous weapon of all.