1988 (#3) - Caroline's doubts and the relationship between Brooke and Ridge

Returning with Thorne from her honeymoon, Caroline feels she has made the right decision and married the only man who can ever make her truly happy. However, when her friend Brooke tells her that she's finally ended her relationship with Dave, who had made one last attempt to get back with her, and has started dating Ridge, the news doesn't seem to faze her. On the surface, Caroline seems fine with this development, but inside, it's clear that there's turmoil afoot. And Caroline's doubts manifest themselves in all their magnitude when, finding herself with Thorne and the couple formed by Ridge and Brooke stranded in the snow at the family chalet in Big Bear, the young woman finds herself wondering, observing some tender moments between Brooke and Ridge, if she had really followed her heart by marrying Thorne. Meanwhile, Brooke finds in Katherine a new and surprising ally, since the woman, increasingly worried by the tensions between the two brothers, is very happy to see Ridge away from Thorne's wife. As time goes by, Caroline's torments instead of subsiding become more acute; and disappointed that even her husband knew and kept her in the dark about Ridge's letter, she decides to break off her friendship with Brooke, accused of playing with her life and her feelings. And determined to respond with the same coin, she offers the woman a choice: break off her relationship with Ridge or prepare to face the man's fury, since if she continued to see him Caroline would tell him the truth about the letter that was never delivered. Terrified at the idea of losing Ridge, Brooke has no choice but to accept, but even though she tries to push him away, her heart can't stop staying by his side, especially now that Ridge is beginning to be more and more taken by the woman, whom he affectionately calls "Logan". And when Ridge proposes that she move in with him, Brooke, who would have liked nothing more, has a hard time refusing the proposal.

1987 (#19) - Feelings for Ridge and the breakup between Brooke and Dave

When Dave realizes that something is wrong with his relationship with Brooke and that their relationship is no longer as solid as before, it is evidently already too late. The woman, having found herself fantasizing about Ridge more and more often to the point of realizing that she has fallen in love with the man, begins to find Dave increasingly irritating and annoying, a symptom that the complicity of the past is now gone. Unable to understand the situation, Dave decides to confront Brooke in order to change their relationship and, surprisingly, asks her to marry him. Surprised by this unexpected request, Brooke is unable to speak at the moment, leaving Dave to understand that she needs time. Realizing that she needs to clear her heart before she does with Dave, Brooke soon realizes, looking at a picture of Ridge in a glossy magazine, that the life she has always dreamed of with Dave and his salary is not the one she envisions. Dave, meanwhile, frustrated and disappointed that Brooke is hesitant to accept his marriage proposal, realizes that she no longer loves him and that she actually loves Ridge; the two, thus, decide to take some time off. Brooke, suddenly feeling lighter and free from a relationship that had been weighing her down, can now finally focus on what she really wants and desires, Ridge's heart. And realizing that she too has fallen in love with a Forrester, just like her mother, she promises herself that she will not end up like Beth and that she will not miss her chance to finally be happy.

1987 (#14) - Caroline's new life, Storm's support and Thorne's company

Ridge's decisive testimony, as it is easy to guess, has not left Caroline indifferent, who clearly shows that she still has feelings for the man. The woman, however, also pushed by Bill, is determined to forget him and start a new life without him. And in this very turbulent period for the woman, it is Brooke, with whom she shares the bedroom, who gives her comfort and listens to Caroline's continuous doubts, undecided about whether or not to be tempted to go back with Ridge. But the more Caroline talks about the man, the more Brooke begins to fantasize about him, without letting her friend know, and although Brooke has been engaged to her Dave for some time now, it's clear that something in her head has clicked; and proof of this is the fact that, some time later, when Brooke learns that Storm's relationship with Alex Simpson has already been interrupted after just a few dates, she urges her brother to make a move on Caroline, perhaps even unconsciously trying to get Ridge out of Caroline's mind. Caroline, on the other hand, seems more determined than ever to follow her reason and put aside her heart at least for once, deciding not to reveal to Ridge the fact that she is currently living with the Logans. But this, of course, is not enough to create the spark between Caroline and Storm, whom she sees only as a great friend and a person to trust. On the other hand, Caroline begins to appreciate Thorne's company, who is showing himself to be very close to her in this period. The emotional shock of the rape, in fact, causes Caroline a series of nightmares that trigger a strong state of anxiety and stress, leading her to associate the trauma of the violence suffered by Ron with the shock of Ridge's betrayal. And it is only thanks to Thorne's support and backing that Caroline seems to be able to find her smile again.

1987 (#12) - Caroline's rape, Ron's trial and conviction

Caroline's efforts and attempts to regain control of her life and trust in men are shattered and swept away one seemingly quiet autumn evening. While dining at a restaurant near her apartment, Caroline is approached by a man named Ron Deacon, with whom she shares the evening. Ron convinces Caroline to go home with him and then, in front of the door, Ron makes his way into the apartment raping the girl. Distraught, Caroline doesn't even seem to have the strength to ask for help, but in the end she decides to call her friend Brooke, who immediately rushes to Caroline and convinces her to move in with her, where she can feel safe. Brooke, together with her boyfriend Dave Reed who is a policeman, convince Caroline to report the incident, promising that, at least for the moment, they will avoid informing Bill and Ridge about what happened. After all, Brooke understands Caroline's state of mind, having been the victim a few months earlier of a rape attempt by some thugs who managed to get away with it. Fortunately this time, thanks to the many reports and testimonies gathered in the bar where Caroline and Ron had spent the evening, Dave, with the complicity of Storm and Detective Roy Banks, soon manages to track down the man, who is immediately arrested. When Bill learns about what happened to his daughter, he immediately runs to Caroline, promising that he will do everything in his power to obtain justice and make Ron pay for his sins. To that end, Bill contacts one of the best attorneys in Los Angeles, Jeff Talon, to make sure Ron never gets out of prison again. The outcome of the trial, however, seems far from certain. Ron Deacon, who, with the exception of a few minor priors, has a fairly clean record, hires a defense attorney, Robin West, who is convinced that he can argue the lack of evidence in their favor, as well as a series of heartfelt testimonies such as that of Florence Deacon, the defendant's mother, who swears to the goodness of her dear Ron. But it is on whether Caroline was consenting or not to the relationship that the main game is played. And from this point of view, in the end, it is the painful testimony of Ridge, who admits that he did not have sexual relations with Caroline because she had the conviction and the will to remain a virgin until marriage, that tips the scales towards Ron's conviction. And in the end, when Judge Madeline Collins declares Ron guilty, everyone breathes a sigh of relief and is happy that justice has been done.