1989 (#11) - Thorne's psychiatric sessions and the divorce with Caroline

In spite of Caroline's adamant intention to end her marriage with Thorne, a union that never really blossomed because of the feelings that never disappeared that binds the woman to Ridge, Eric and Stephanie firmly oppose the divorce. And it is Ridge himself, who is also engaged with Brooke, a woman whom Stephanie herself has often shown she does not like, if only because she is Beth's daughter, who finds the insistence of her parents that Thorne and Caroline must remain together disconcerting. Aware that they can no longer keep the matter a secret, Eric and Stephanie reveal to their eldest son that it was Thorne who shot him. An incredulous Ridge can't believe that his brother could have done this to him, but Eric and Stephanie try to justify it by reminding him that Thorne was under the effect of drugs amplified by alcohol and that, after all, he was in a state of shock caused by Ridge's own questionable actions. But without now wanting to reopen this old wound and go looking for a culprit, Eric and Stephanie explain to Ridge their fear that a new hard blow to Thorne, such as a possible divorce from Caroline, could lead him again to commit unconscionable acts. Understanding at this point the gravity of the situation and the importance of avoiding new traumas for Thorne, Ridge convinces Caroline to keep her marriage intact, at least for the time necessary for Thorne to digest what has happened. It is at this point that she agrees to take her time and suspend the divorce proceedings; but in the same way, she insists to Eric and Stephanie on the importance of Thorne overcoming this mental block through the professional help of a psychiatrist. Soon, by leading Thorne to believe that she is a marriage counselor, Dr. Michelle Brookrner begins a series of therapy sessions to help Thorne understand the futility and harmfulness of continuing a broken marriage. Soon, the man begins to open his eyes and gradually distance himself from Caroline, until he agrees to her request for divorce. On the other hand, Ridge assures his brother that he is not the reason why Caroline is leaving him, declaring himself totally involved with Brooke; and this despite the fact that things are not exactly like that, since the couple formed by Ridge and Brooke, after the latter's abortion, is now immersed in a deep crisis.