Part 3 - Back to normal

Mass didn't miss any opportunity to put a wedge between Eric & Stephanie. He sent Stephanie running to Eric demanding that Ridge will be given the lion share of their stocks in Forrester Creations. Eric refused and insisted on dividing the stock equally between all his children. His only concession was to omit Rick & Bridget since they are going to get Brooke's stocks - a concession which left Ridge with "only" 12.25% of Forrester shares. Stephanie was dissatisfied and furious (Hey Steph, stop acting like Ridge is your only child, you have 3 more in case you've forgotten.).

Brooke appointing Ridge as temporary CEO seemed to defuse the tension between Eric and Stephanie, but not for long, due to Stephanie's deepening feelings for Mass.

Stephanie asked Eric to drive all the way to the Big-Bear cabin to inform him about those feelings. Eric was hurt, but agreed to forgive Stephanie, based on her assurance that her commitment to their marriage is as strong as ever, and they kissed (if you can call Steph's face smacking a kiss) and hugged.

The reconciliation lasted for about 5 seconds till Eric told Stephanie that Ridge's coup attempt at Forrester failed and that Brooke demoted him. The battle lines were drawn: it became yet again Stephanie's "my son" v. Eric's "my children". Eric insisted on giving his full support to Rick, Stephanie accused him of being in a win-win situation, and stormed out. (Come on Steph, why not put the blame where it belongs (on Ridge's shoulders) for forcing Eric to choose between his sons ???)

The rift between Eric and his wife became bigger and deeper when Stephanie turned the "new face of Forrester"'s press conference into a fiasco. Eric had to literally drag Stephanie from Brooke's office after she sank as low as calling the mother of his youngest children, "a whore" in front of them

Stephanie couldn't believe how Eric can side with Brooke and demand a united family front, in spite of what "this is doing to HER" (big mistake Steph, you should have learned by now that Eric will always side with Brooke and their kids, when you let your hatred get into the equation.), and threw him out of her office.

Stephanie's tantrums didn't deter Eric from his "family unity at all costs" agenda. So, when Ridge presented his childish ultimatum "make me CEO or I'll resign" over Amber's sleazy design, Eric voted him out of Forrester Creations.

Again Stephanie blasted Eric for betraying HER son and choosing HIS family, and told Eric that she lost all respect for him, they are different people, and that she don't see them growing together anymore. (Gee Stephanie, don't these words sound familiar to you ??? That's right dear, Eric told you the same thing all those years ago when he asked you for a divorce. Looks like he was right after all.)

Stephanie choose Ridge's hospital room (where he landed after injuring his hand in a fist fight with Rick & Deacon) as the proper setting for dumping Eric and going with Mass.

Eric pleaded and begged Stephanie (instead of doing the happy dance), not to leave him. But her mind was set.

Together with Ridge & Mass, Stephanie left behind a hurt Eric standing all alone in the hospital corridor.

WOW !!! You have no idea how long I waited to see Eric free of dear old Stephanie !!!