Summer Bay is about to be rocked by another devastating twist as Home and Away delivers a harrowing storyline that places Leah Patterson at the centre of

an emotional storm — one that could change Theo Poulos’s life forever. What begins as a moment of hope for Theo quickly spirals into danger, violence,

and a life-or-death emergency, forcing Leah to confront a painful question: how far can she go to protect someone who seems unable to escape his past?

A Glimmer of Hope for Theo

After months of trauma, Theo finally appears to be turning a corner. Still haunted by his time with the River Boys and the brutal attack that nearly cost him his life, he’s been desperate to close one dark chapter for good. The source of so much of his pain — the car he lovingly restored — has become a symbol of everything that went wrong.

Theo originally bought the car as a passion project, pouring his heart and soul into restoring it from the ground up. Refusing Remi’s offer of a loan, he instead took out a bank loan, determined to stand on his own two feet. But the repayments quickly became overwhelming, pushing Theo into dangerous territory. To keep up financially, he accepted work fixing up dodgy cars for River Boy leader Gage, who was running illegal street races.

What started as a financial gamble soon became a nightmare.

The Cost of Crossing the River Boys

Theo’s involvement with Gage turned deadly when he crossed an unforgivable line — beginning an affair with Gage’s girlfriend, Lacy. The fallout was swift and brutal. Just days after completing the restoration and planning to enter the car into a race himself, Theo was ambushed. Gage enacted his revenge by crushing Theo beneath the very car he had worked so hard to rebuild.

It was only thanks to Sonny’s intervention that Theo survived. Weeks of rehabilitation followed, along with continued intimidation from the River Boys, leaving Theo physically battered and emotionally scarred. Understandably, he wants the car gone — not just sold, but erased from his life.

A Deal That Seems Too Good to Be True

Next week, Theo finally gets the break he’s been waiting for. A message comes through from a potential buyer offering to pay the full asking price — $25,000 — in cash. For Theo, it feels like fate stepping in. Selling the car would allow him to clear his bank loan, walk away debt-free, and even offer some financial help to Lacy, if she’s willing to accept it.

Lacy briefly questions the red flag — who carries that much cash? — but Theo is beyond caring. All he can see is freedom.

For the first time in weeks, Theo smiles.

Alarm Bells for Leah

That smile follows Theo to the coffee cart, where he excitedly meets up with Lacy and Leah. With barely contained pride, Theo opens his backpack to reveal stacks of cash — the full $25,000.

Leah’s reaction is immediate and instinctive. Years of life experience kick in as she warns Theo that walking around with that amount of money is incredibly dangerous. Her concern isn’t just maternal — it’s rooted in the knowledge that Theo has already been targeted, already hurt, and is still vulnerable.

Theo brushes it off, insisting he’s heading straight to the bank.

But Leah can’t shake the uneasy feeling settling in her chest.

A Predator Watching

As Leah steps away to serve a customer at the coffee cart, something sinister unfolds unnoticed. Ryan — a familiar face — quietly watches Theo. His gaze lingers too long. His interest is far too focused.

Within moments, Theo leaves, heading through the pines toward the bank, unaware that he’s being followed.

The tension is unbearable.

A Brutal Attack in the Pines

Out of nowhere, Ryan charges from behind and grabs Theo’s bag. Instinctively, Theo turns — but he doesn’t stand a chance. A single right hook slams into his face, and Theo collapses to the ground, unconscious.

It’s a horrifying moment. Theo has barely recovered from his previous injuries, and now he lies motionless in the dirt, robbed and badly hurt once again.

The echoes of the River Boys’ violence feel impossible to escape.

Rushed Back to Hospital

Theo is quickly rushed back to Northern District Hospital, his condition sparking grave concern. For those who love him, it’s déjà vu they never wanted to relive. Doctors work urgently to assess the damage, while the reality sinks in: Theo may have pushed himself too far, too soon.

And this is where Leah’s world tilts.

Leah’s Heartbreaking Dilemma

Leah has stood by Theo through some of the darkest moments of his life. She’s watched him struggle with guilt, trauma, and fear, and she’s supported him as he tried to reclaim control. But this latest incident forces her to confront a painful truth — Theo’s determination to fix everything himself may be putting him directly in harm’s way.

Leah is torn.

Does she continue supporting Theo’s independence, even when it repeatedly lands him in danger? Or does she step in more forcefully, risking his resentment but potentially saving his life?

The question isn’t just about money or bad luck anymore. It’s about whether Theo is truly ready to move on — or whether he’s still being pulled back into chaos by his need to prove himself.

The Ripple Effect Through Summer Bay

Theo’s attack sends shockwaves through the community. Lacy is wracked with guilt, questioning whether accepting help or encouraging the sale played a role. Remi is left wondering if things would have been different had Theo accepted his loan in the first place.

And Leah? She’s left staring at the hospital doors, forced to decide what her role in Theo’s life needs to be moving forward.

What Happens Next?

As Theo fights to recover yet again, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Will this brutal wake-up call finally convince him to let go of the past — or will it harden his resolve to face everything alone?

And can Leah make the impossible decision to draw boundaries, even if it breaks both their hearts?

One thing is certain: Home and Away is about to deliver an emotionally charged chapter that explores trauma, pride, and the devastating cost of refusing help — proving once again that in Summer Bay, healing is never simple, and love often demands the hardest choices of all.