The Bold and the Beautiful: Is It Really Over for Daphne and Carter?

For the first time in Carter Walton’s long and frustrating history with love, he actually made it past the “I do.” That alone felt like an accomplishment on The Bold and the Beautiful for a man whose romantic relationships have repeatedly fallen apart before he could build the family life he wanted. 

So when Daphne told Carter that she was leaving him after learning she cannot have children, it was particularly heartbreaking to watch him realize that the marriage he thought had finally given him everything he wanted might already be over.

Daphne Is Running From More Than Carter

Lawrence Saint-Victor made sure viewers felt every bit of Carter’s pain on The Bold and the Beautiful. Carter has made plenty of questionable romantic choices over the years, but Saint-Victor played his heartbreak with such sincerity that it was difficult not to feel for him. 

Carter wasn’t angry with Daphne (Murielle Hilaire). He was simply devastated that the future they had imagined together might no longer be possible. But is this really the end of Carter and Daphne?

Daphne’s decision to leave might make sense from her perspective. She knows how badly Carter wants children, and she has convinced herself that because she cannot give him the family they planned, so the kindest thing she can do is walk away.

The problem is that Carter has never told her that their marriage is conditional on having a biological child. He wanted to find another way forward. Whether that means adoption, surrogacy or another option, Carter is not ready to give up on their marriage simply because their original plan has changed.

Could Daphne Change Her Mind About Having a Family?

Daphne, however, seems to believe she is taking away something Carter desperately needs and is making the decision for both of them because she is afraid Carter will eventually resent her. That leaves plenty of room for a change of heart.

Daphne initially seemed certain she wanted motherhood, but the reality of not being able to conceive could change how she sees everything. Once the shock wears off, she may begin to wonder whether she really wants to give up Carter simply because pregnancy is no longer an option.

That is where Steffy (Jacqueline MacInnes Wood) could become extremely important. Steffy is Daphne’s best friend, and she has already been there for her during the fertility crisis. If Daphne eventually decides that she still wants a family with Carter, Steffy would be one of the first people she would turn to, which could lead to a conversation about surrogacy.

As their surrogate, Steffy could give Carter and Daphne the child they want. But it doesn’t sound soapy enough to have such a simple solution. 

What Happens If Steffy and Carter Cross a Line?

The timing is almost too perfect to ignore: Daphne has left Carter, and Steffy has told Finn their marriage is over. Both are heartbroken, both have been drinking heavily, and now Carter and Steffy are alone together, leaning on each other for comfort.

It’s a moment that could destroy Daphne’s friendship with Steffy and make any reconciliation between Carter and Daphne almost impossible. It would also put Steffy’s already-fragile marriage to Finn (Tanner Novlan) in an entirely different place. And that may be exactly why the storyline is putting these two together now.

Carter and Daphne May Not Be Finished Yet

Carter and Daphne still have a path back. Carter has made it clear that he isn’t giving up on his wife, and the fact that Daphne left because she believes she is protecting him suggests that her feelings have not disappeared.

The bigger question is whether Daphne can accept that Carter may want her more than he wants the specific future they originally planned. If she can, they could eventually explore adoption or surrogacy and rebuild their marriage on different terms. 

Steffy could even play a meaningful role in helping Daphne understand that being unable to carry a child does not mean she cannot have the family she wants. But first, Carter and Steffy have to survive this very dangerous moment. Do you think they will?