In an unforgettable, emotionally-charged turn of events on The Bold and the Beautiful, a chain reaction of betrayal, heartbreak, and explosive revelations has rocked the very foundation of the Forrester family—and Thorsten Kaye’s portrayal of Ridge Forrester becomes central to the fallout as his character prepares for a deeply emotional departure. While the spotlight first shines on Steffy, Finn, and Hope, Ridge is drawn into the chaos in a way that tests his loyalty, identity, and very purpose within the Forrester dynasty.

It all begins with Steffy Forrester’s unrelenting dedication to understanding her ex-husband Liam’s emotional spiral. So focused is she on patching together Liam’s broken heart and bridging peace between fractured families that she fails to see the storm brewing inside her own marriage. Unbeknownst to her, Dr. John “Finn” Finnegan—the man she believed to be her rock—is hiding a devastating secret. And when a damning photograph surfaces, capturing Finn passionately kissing Hope Logan in his office at Forrester Creations, Steffy’s world implodes.

The image, leaked by an anonymous source, spreads rapidly through the halls of Forrester. Gossip swirls, and alliances fracture as Steffy races to confront her husband. What she finds confirms every fear she tried to suppress: Finn and Hope, entangled in an illicit embrace, their betrayal on full display. Her confrontation is seismic. Rage and disbelief surge as Steffy slaps Hope across the face, demanding answers while the foundation of her marriage crumbles beneath her.

The ultimate bombshell detonates when Finn confesses: Hope is pregnant—with his child.

This confession is the final straw. Steffy is gutted, blindsided not just by infidelity, but by a new life conceived in secrecy and deception. The betrayal slices deep. Every moment of loyalty, every smile shared, every night spent believing in the strength of her marriage now feels like a cruel lie. Steffy walks out—not quietly, but with purpose. She’s no longer the forgiving wife; she is now a woman scorned, ready to expose the truth to the world.

As the drama unfolds, Ridge finds himself trapped between the fury of his daughter and the tangled mess involving his extended family. A patriarch at heart, Ridge is used to controlling the narrative—whether in the boardroom or at the dinner table—but this time, the situation is far too personal, and far too painful. Steffy’s plan to publicly reveal the affair and pregnancy sends shockwaves through the family, culminating in an emotionally devastating family gathering that shatters any pretense of peace.

As Hope and Finn stand disgraced, Ridge is left reeling. The family business is in disarray. The Forrester legacy—his legacy—is on the brink of collapse. And as Steffy, now pregnant herself and determined to raise her child in truth and dignity, begins divorce proceedings, Ridge must navigate the legal and emotional fallout alongside her.

The courtroom drama is brutal. Finn and Hope are ousted from Forrester Creations. A judge awards Steffy sole custody and grants her a decisive divorce. The Forrester board, led by Ridge, unanimously agrees: the couple who betrayed Steffy will no longer be welcome in the company—or the community.

But the toll on Ridge is immense. Watching his daughter suffer such profound heartbreak, bearing witness to the disintegration of their family unity, and realizing that his influence was not enough to stop the spiral—it all weighs heavily on him. The Ridge Forrester we’ve known—proud, commanding, always ready to lead—is no longer the same man. What once defined him no longer fits. And so, quietly but resolutely, Ridge announces his decision: he’s stepping away.

Thorsten Kaye’s final scenes are a study in sorrow, reflection, and quiet courage. Ridge’s farewell is not dramatic or public—it is internal, deeply personal. He shares one final moment with Steffy, assuring her of his pride in her strength and resilience. “You’ve faced what no one should have to,” he tells her. “And you did it with grace and fire. That’s the kind of leader this family needs now.”

As Ridge leaves Los Angeles, he does so not in defeat, but in acceptance. His departure marks the end of an era and the beginning of a new one—led by a battle-scarred but wiser Steffy, who has reclaimed her narrative and her future.

Hope and Finn, meanwhile, leave the city in disgrace, their reputations in tatters. Their hopes of quietly starting a life together elsewhere are overshadowed by regret and the magnitude of the damage they’ve done. The Forrester and Logan families, still processing the betrayal, offer no refuge. Even Liam, still reeling from his own pain, finds common ground with Steffy, pledging to be there for her as she navigates the road ahead.

Back at Forrester Creations, change is in the air. Steffy, now both mother and CEO, leads the brand with a fierceness that mirrors her personal journey. Every collection she oversees, every decision she makes, is touched by the strength born from heartbreak. Ridge’s absence is felt in the quiet halls of the family estate, but his legacy lives on in the choices his daughter makes.

In the final moments of this emotional chapter, we see Steffy alone on her balcony, one hand resting on her belly, her eyes set on the golden horizon. Her expression is not one of sorrow, but of calm determination. The storm has passed, but she remains—standing tall, steady, and stronger than ever.

Thorsten Kaye’s departure as Ridge Forrester is a poignant reminder that in The Bold and the Beautiful, every farewell is just the beginning of a new saga. As Ridge steps away from the spotlight, the legacy he leaves behind is now in Steffy’s hands—and the next chapter promises to be just as bold, just as beautiful, and more resilient than ever.