"I LOVE YOU" - Zende suddenly confesses his feelings for Daphne

Love has never come easy for the Forresters, but this time, it’s about to turn hearts upside down in a way no one saw coming. In this emotional and surprising episode of The Bold and the Beautiful, Zende Forrester Dominguez finally reaches his breaking point — and what begins as an innocent conversation ends with a shocking confession that could change everything.

For weeks, tension has been building between Zende and Daphne, the brilliant and kind-hearted new designer who has quickly become a rising star at Forrester Creations. Daphne’s arrival brought a breath of fresh air to the fashion house, but it also reignited old rivalries and stirred complicated emotions. While everyone assumed Zende was still nursing old wounds after Luna’s betrayal and RJ’s interference, few noticed how his friendship with Daphne had slowly transformed into something deeper.

It all starts in the Forrester design studio late one evening. The building is quiet, the runway lights dimmed, and only the sound of fabric scissors breaks the silence. Daphne is working tirelessly on a last-minute gown revision for Hope’s new line. Zende, unable to focus on his own sketches, finds himself watching her — the way she bites her lip when she’s thinking, the way she hums softly as she sews. For months, he’s told himself she’s just a colleague, a creative partner, nothing more. But tonight, that illusion starts to crumble.

When Daphne pricks her finger and lets out a small gasp, Zende rushes to her side without thinking. She laughs it off, brushing away the concern, but something in her gentle tone makes his heart ache. They talk about life, love, and the price of ambition — how hard it is to be vulnerable in a world built on appearances. The conversation drifts deeper, more personal. Daphne admits that she’s been keeping her guard up since moving to L.A., afraid of letting anyone get too close.

Zende hesitates, torn between fear and desire. Every instinct tells him to stay quiet, to protect his professional image, but the pull is too strong. “Daphne,” he says softly, his voice trembling, “there’s something I need to tell you before I lose my nerve.” She turns to him, surprised by his sudden seriousness. And then, in one breathtaking moment, the walls come down. “I love you,” he blurts out, his eyes locked on hers.

The words hang in the air like a spark between them. Daphne is speechless. For a moment, the world seems to stop — just two souls caught in a whirlwind of emotion they can’t control. Zende tries to explain, his voice breaking as he admits how long he’s felt this way, how she’s reminded him what real connection feels like. “You see me,” he says. “Not the Forrester name, not the designer — me.”

But Daphne, overwhelmed, struggles to respond. Her heart races, her thoughts spinning. She admits she cares for Zende deeply but never imagined he felt the same. Their friendship, their late-night creative sessions, their shared laughter — all of it suddenly takes on new meaning. Yet, as much as she wants to surrender to the moment, fear stops her. “Zende, you don’t know what you’re saying,” she whispers. “You’ve been hurt, and I don’t want to be another mistake.”

Zende insists it’s not confusion — it’s truth. He’s tired of pretending, tired of letting love pass him by. He steps closer, brushing away a tear that escapes down her cheek. “You don’t have to say anything,” he murmurs. “I just needed you to know.”

Meanwhile, the emotional confession doesn’t stay hidden for long. Outside the studio, RJ Forrester happens to overhear part of their conversation. His expression darkens — not from jealousy alone, but from the fear that this revelation could reignite old rivalries within the Forrester family. By the next day, whispers begin to spread through the office. Hope, Brooke, and Ridge each have their own opinions, and once again, personal drama threatens to overshadow the fashion empire.

Daphne spends the following days torn between heart and reason. Zende’s confession has awakened feelings she can’t ignore, but the risks are enormous. Can she trust a man who’s still haunted by his past heartbreaks? Or will this unexpected love story crash before it even begins?

As the episode ends, Daphne finds herself standing outside Zende’s office door, hand trembling, ready to either walk away or step into something real. Inside, Zende stares at a half-finished sketch — a dress he designed for her, titled “The Moment.”

💞 One question remains: Will Daphne open that door and give love a chance, or will she turn away and leave Zende’s confession hanging in the silence forever?

#BoldandBeautiful #Spoilers #ZendeForrester #Daphne #LoveConfession #CBSB&B #Drama