Liam Spencer, once torn between Hope and Steffy, is now a man transformed by the ticking clock of his health. With his condition weighing heavily on those around him, he finds clarity and purpose in mending the fractured relationships that once consumed their lives. His emotional honesty paves the way for a surprising alliance between Hope and Steffy—two women who, after years of rivalry, finally put aside their differences. In a powerful moment of grace, Steffy welcomes Hope back to Forrester Creations, saying, “This is what Liam would want.” That single act of unity, supported by Hope’s tearful gratitude, becomes a symbol of their shared dedication to giving Liam peace in his final days.

But Liam’s heart carries one last wish—something more personal than reconciliation. He longs to see Hope truly happy, not as a grieving ex or a solo mother, but as a woman in love again. And in his mind, there’s only one man worthy of her heart: Carter Walton.

Carter, however, is still wounded. After overhearing an emotional exchange between Hope and Liam, he’s convinced that Hope’s heart still belongs to her ex. But what Carter doesn’t realize is that Hope had already chosen him—she just hadn’t found the right moment to say it. Now, with Hope back at Forrester and her relationship with Steffy healed, the stage is set for a fresh beginning. Their paths collide again in a quiet, awkward meeting in the design room where truths are finally revealed. Hope, voice trembling, tells Carter that he misunderstood what he heard. Liam wasn’t reclaiming her—he was setting her free.

This time, Hope’s feelings are crystal clear. “It’s not second best,” she tells Carter. “It’s real.” The emotional walls Carter had built start to crumble, and a long-awaited romance is rekindled.