1987 (#20) - The intercepted letter and the engagement between Thorne and Caroline

As the weeks go by, the understanding between Caroline and Thorne grows more and more. The kind ways of Thorne, a man who is certainly more introverted and affectionate than his brother, impress the girl a lot, who slowly regains, thanks to Thorne, the trust she had lost in men. Discovering Caroline's inner beauty, however, Thorne realizes how naive and foolish his brother has been to let a woman like Caroline get away, convincing himself more and more that Ridge does not deserve her. Obviously delighted that Caroline is dating Thorne, a man much more suited to his daughter than Ridge, is Bill, who even offers the man a prominent position within Spencer Publications; an offer, however, that Thorne, also at Caroline's suggestion and urging, refuses. Bill's attitude certainly doesn't please Stephanie, who repeatedly begs her old friend to stop pitting his two sons against each other, who are now in open competition for Caroline's heart. On one side is Ridge, who sends roses to his beloved, and on the other is Thorne, who confesses to Caroline that he is beginning to have feelings for her. In the end, it is Thorne who gets to prevail over his brother, thanks to the fact that he is able to provide more security to a still fragile Caroline. And Ridge, seeing them kissing, decides to say goodbye to his beloved, writing her a farewell letter in which he writes that he is happy for her and for Thorne, declaring himself ready to move on with his life. Ridge starts dating a very happy Brooke, but it is clear that he still has feelings for his ex-girlfriend. And when in a moment of weakness he decides to retrace his steps and confess all his love to Caroline, Ridge is convinced of the need to write a second letter to Caroline. What Ridge doesn't know, however, is that Brooke, in agreement with Thorne, intercepts the letter; both convinced that it would have marked the end of their respective relationships, in fact, Thorne and Brooke enter into some sort of alliance or agreement to keep Caroline and Ridge apart, well aware that it would take very little to tear their respective relationships apart. A few days later, Thorne asks Caroline to marry him, and Caroline, unaware of Ridge's letter, accepts the proposal; this news throws Ridge into despair and makes Brooke and Thorne excited.