Thorne disapproves of Clarke's choice for a new designer.

Thorne is in his and Sally's office at Spectra when Clarke pops in. Thorne says he's busy. Clarke says he knows he's not Thorne's favorite person these days... Because Clarke nearly killed Ridge and Bridget, Thorne points out . Clarke says that he actually saved them by convincing Amber to call mountain rescue, but that's not why he's here. He drops the latest sales reports on Thorne's desk and proudly boasts that they tied Forrester. However, he doesn't think they should rest on their laurels; since Forrester is still sans Ridge, he thinks it's the time for Spectra to launch an assault. And since they're short one designer after firing Amber (which was the right thing to do, he adds), he wants to run Sally's idea for a replacement by Thorne. Clarke opens up a folder, and Thorne is stunned to see Morgan DeWitt's photo! Thorne thinks Sally must be nuts, since Morgan's been in jail for years. She's been released, Clarke says. Thorne still wants nothing to do with that dangerous psycho. Clarke points out that he knows how dangerous Morgan is, since she sicked a lethal python on him. And she's obsessed with Ridge, Thorne adds, which is why they need to keep her as far away as possible.

Morgan agrees to give Ridge answers.

In Venice, Ridge dines with Morgan in their room. Ridge is still bothered by their meeting with Brooke earlier. He didn't recognize or even feel anything for his own wife, he laments. That's because they haven't been close for a while, Morgan explains. Ridge recalls what Brooke said and asks what he did to hurt her so badly. Actually, Morgan says, Brooke was the one who played with his head, but she doesn't think that matters now. Ridge says it matters, since he feels like he's trapped in a black hole, without any idea what his life was like. He feels like he can't move on until he puts his past behind him, so he asks Morgan to tell him everything. Morgan doesn't think she should, since he's still healing from a concussion, but he doesn't think anything could be more traumatic than what he's feeling now. Morgan reluctantly agrees to tell him, but she warns that he may not like what he hears. She starts off by telling him that Brooke slept around in his family, breaking up first his father's and then his younger brother's marriage in the process. Ridge asks about his brother. His brother grew up in his shadow, Morgan explains, since they competed for everything, including the favor of their father - or rather, the man they thought was Ridge's father, since his true paternity was kept secret until recently. By who? Ridge asks. By the person who pulls the strings in his family, Morgan says: his mother!

Ridge is shocked to hear what his mother did to Morgan.

Morgan tells Ridge that his paternity was just one of the many things that his mother lied about. In fact, his mom also deceived her, robbing her of the two most important people in her life: him, and their baby. Baby? Ridge asks. Morgan explains that they actually don't have a child. She tells him that she became pregnant with his child when she was 17; she was probably too young, but she fantasized about what their lives would be like once she gave birth to his child. But he was living in the fast lane at the time, and she feared a baby might tie him down. And with her own mother unavailable, she turned to his mother for support, only to be told by Stephanie that she'd be ruining his life with that child. Stephanie then dragged her to a clinic and forced her to abort their child! His mom then put her on a plane to the East Coast, but she still couldn't heal from her traumatic loss. She went through years of therapy, but it didn't help with the guilt. Ridge says he's sorry; he thinks if anyone should have felt guilty, it was his mother. But his mother didn't care who she hurt, Morgan laments, and she doesn't think she could ever forgive Stephanie for robbing her of their child.

Stephanie and Eric worry about Brooke.

Stephanie is with Eric in his office, worrying about Gabriela's reaction to Helen's death. Eric thinks they should give Gaby some time until after the funeral service tomorrow. Stephanie notices that he's sketching and asks if this means he's given up on his silly idea about retiring. Eric says he can't just stop sketching as he reaches out for his wife's hand. He thinks what happened to Helen put things into perspective.

The office door opens and a frazzled Brooke enters, followed by Megan. Megan gets some instructions from Brooke and leaves. Brooke says she's ready to get to work, but Eric and Stephanie see how worn she looks and suggest that she go home, have a bite to eat and get some rest. Brooke says she can't just sit at home waiting for news of Ridge; in fact, she's through waiting for Ridge. If Eric and Stephanie want to help, she says, they can help find a good private investigator. Eric offers to call Lt. Baker for recommendations, but Stephanie wonders if hiring a P.I. is wise given what Ridge said in that email. Brooke is convinced Ridge didn't write that email; she fears he might be in trouble, which is why she intends to find him and bring him home. Eric still thinks Brooke is better off at home. Stephanie agrees and offers to take her, and to spend the afternoon with her and the children. Brooke says she gets a little nervous at home with the kids after dark. Eric suggests that he or Stephanie move in with her for a while. Actually, Brooke says, Nick offered to stay with her. Stephanie seems surprised and says that's inappropriate. Brooke tells her not to worry, since she turned Nick down. She didn't think it was necessary, since Ridge will be home soon. She then buzzes Megan to get Lt. Baker on the phone: it's time for answers.

Ridge thanks Morgan for telling him the truth; he still can't remember anything, but at least he knows now what he's up against. He just wishes he could have spared her from his mother. She thinks about how different their lives might have been. Ridge asks for her cell phone: he wants to call Brooke. Morgan says that will only upset him. When Brooke walked out of here, he explains, she had the last word. Now he wants to have his say. Morgan reluctantly agrees, but she asks him to leave her out of it. Ridge promises to keep this between him and his *ex*-wife as Morgan dials the number.