Luna Baldwin never imagined her world would unravel under the sterile lights of a hospital. One second, she was pleading for her life — the next, she was strapped to a gurney, facing charges of attempted murder. Steffy Forrester’s blood, accusations, and that single gunshot echoing in her head had all blurred into chaos. Now, Luna’s whispers of “She forced my hand” were dismissed like noise. Until Deacon Sharpe appeared.

Deacon’s arrival wasn’t just dramatic — it was salvation. Slick, composed, and fiercely loyal, he declared himself Luna’s legal counsel, threatening lawsuits against Steffy if she didn’t retract her story. But the truth was already lost in the media wildfire. Luna’s arrest rocked L.A., and at Forrester Creations, the fallout was immediate.

Dr. John “Finn” Finnegan, watching the news in stunned disbelief, couldn’t reconcile the image on screen with the Luna he once knew. A woman he had mentored, even cared for. But Luna’s counterattack — preparing a defamation suit against Steffy — pushed Finn into cold resolve. If she wanted war, he would expose her darkest truths.

Finn moved swiftly, building a case to prove Luna was mentally unstable. Panic disorder, dissociative episodes, and therapy notes describing violent fantasies — it was all there. He filed for a psychiatric evaluation to block her lawsuit before it could gain traction.

In court, Luna’s bold stance stunned reporters and the judge alike. Clad in a tailored suit, defiance in her eyes, she declared her innocence. Deacon backed her with ferocity, preparing to eviscerate Steffy’s credibility. But Finn countered with brutal precision: affidavits, diagnoses, expert testimony. Luna’s world shrank with each exhibit.

Just when the judge leaned toward approving the emergency psych eval, Luna stood. “I’m not crazy,” she cried. “I was scared. I want to tell my story.” The courtroom held its breath — the battle for truth had just begun.

Meanwhile, across town, another storm was brewing.

Hope Logan stood at Beth’s cradle with Carter Walton at her side, believing they had found peace — until a message shattered their world: Liam has been shot. Rushed to the hospital, Hope watched as doctors fought to stabilize him. The bullet had grazed his spine. Paralysis was now a terrifying possibility.

As Hope fell to her knees beside Liam’s unconscious body, the dream of co-parenting fractured. Carter promised to stay, to help raise Beth as his own. But Hope knew — Liam’s condition changed everything. Temporary guardianship was now a legal necessity.

A tense meeting with Ridge, Thomas, and Forester lawyers led to a bitter impasse. The Foresters demanded supervised visits. Hope and Carter refused. The negotiations collapsed.

Outside the courthouse, Hope crumbled into Carter’s arms. But even in her despair, her resolve hardened. “We’ll fight,” she whispered. “Together.”

The battle lines are drawn. Luna faces institutionalization. Hope risks losing custody. Carter, Deacon, Finn, and Ridge prepare for legal war. And Liam? Caught in a hospital bed, unaware that the lives around him are spiraling into open conflict.

The war has begun. And no one will come out unchanged.