Next week on Home and Away in the UK, tensions hit an all-time high as Roo Stewart faces the heartbreaking possibility of losing Cohen, the young boy she has come to see as her son.

What begins as a moment of hope in the adoption process quickly spirals into a battle of emotions, loyalties, and fears when Cohen’s biological father, Adrian, steps into the picture —

and Roo makes a decision that could cost her everything.

A Fragile Future Shattered

Roo has been a constant source of love and stability for Cohen ever since his biological mother, Samantha, relinquished her parental rights following her arrest. The Stewart household was preparing to formally adopt him, offering the boy the secure future he desperately needed. But all of that is thrown into jeopardy when Sergeant David uncovers a long-forgotten detail in Samantha’s case file — a mention of an old boyfriend who once posted bail for her while she was pregnant. That man was Adrian.

Summoned to Yabi Creek Police Station, Adrian confirms that he had always suspected he was Cohen’s father. Yet his world was turned upside down when Samantha walked out of his life, taking Cohen with her when the baby was just three months old. Now, years later, Adrian’s name is back in play, and the question of Cohen’s true parentage can no longer be ignored.

DNA Doesn’t Lie

A DNA test is swiftly arranged, and though Adrian is warned to stay away until the results are confirmed, fate intervenes. A chance encounter in Summer Bay brings Adrian face-to-face with a very confused Cohen. Despite Roo’s unease, Cohen warms to Adrian quickly after sharing a game of football, and in no time, he begins calling him “Dad.”

The test results come back soon after — Adrian is indeed Cohen’s biological father. What should have been a joyful revelation, however, instead unleashes a storm of conflicting emotions. Cohen’s initial excitement begins to crumble when Adrian admits that Samantha once told him he wasn’t Cohen’s father before abandoning him. For Cohen, the truth is a bitter pill to swallow. Feeling betrayed all over again, he lashes out at Adrian, accusing him of lying and storming off. By the time he confides in Roo, he’s adamant: “I don’t care if he’s my dad. I don’t like him.”

Roo’s Fierce Protection

Roo, shaken by Cohen’s pain, vows to protect him at all costs. She promises Cohen that if he doesn’t want to see Adrian, she will make sure that never happens. Her stance is firm — Adrian will not disrupt the boy’s life any further.

But Alf, ever the voice of reason, reminds Roo that the choice may not be entirely theirs to make. Social services could intervene, and Roo risks crossing a dangerous line by shutting Adrian out completely. Still, Roo refuses to back down. For her, protecting Cohen’s fragile heart matters more than anything else.

The Social Worker’s Warning

When social worker Harper visits the Stewart house, Roo once again voices her determination to keep Adrian away. What Roo doesn’t realize is that Cohen, listening from the stairs, overhears every word. He hears the conflict between Roo and Harper — Roo fighting fiercely for him, Harper urging caution and warning that completely cutting Adrian off could backfire.

The tension escalates further when Adrian, frustrated and desperate, shows up at Summer Bay House uninvited. Roo intercepts him immediately, making it clear he is not welcome and even threatening to call the police if he tries again. It’s a dramatic and chilling moment — Roo’s anger is palpable, but so is Adrian’s determination to be part of his son’s life.

A Confession by the River

The next day, Alf takes Cohen for a quiet fishing trip by the river, offering the boy a safe space to open up. Here, Cohen finally voices what’s been eating away at him: Adrian blamed Samantha for everything, and hearing those words felt like a betrayal of his loyalty to his mother, flawed as she may be. Cohen is torn between his anger and his longing for a father figure, and the conflict is almost too much for him to bear.

Roo Faces a Dangerous Crossroad

Back at the house, Harper delivers a sobering ultimatum. If Roo continues to block Cohen’s contact with Adrian, she may be left with no choice but to escalate the matter legally. The chilling consequence? Cohen could be removed from Roo’s care altogether and placed with another foster family.

It’s a devastating possibility — Roo’s worst fear realized. After all the love, patience, and devotion she’s poured into Cohen, losing him now would break her heart. But her protective instincts clash with the harsh reality of the law. The more she tries to shut Adrian out, the closer she comes to losing Cohen entirely.

What Comes Next?

The storyline plunges Roo, Cohen, and Adrian into one of the most emotionally charged dilemmas Summer Bay has seen in recent months. Viewers are left questioning: should Roo put aside her own fears and allow Adrian the chance to rebuild a relationship with his son? Or will her fierce protection drive a wedge so deep that it ends in Cohen being taken from her altogether?

The stakes couldn’t be higher. On one hand, Roo’s love for Cohen is undeniable — she wants nothing but safety and stability for him. On the other hand, Adrian’s claim as Cohen’s biological father is equally powerful, and his desire to make up for lost time adds layers of complexity. Meanwhile, Cohen himself remains caught in the middle, torn between loyalty, anger, and longing for connection.

Why This Storyline Matters

Home and Away has always thrived on stories that challenge both its characters and its audience, and this storyline is no exception. It shines a spotlight on the realities of foster care, the complications of adoption, and the often-painful intersections of love, law, and family. Roo’s fierce maternal instincts resonate deeply with viewers who have watched her journey from reluctant guardian to devoted mother figure.

But what makes this plotline especially compelling is Cohen’s perspective. His struggles mirror those of countless children caught between two worlds — the safety of the home they know and the pull of the parent they never truly had. By giving voice to his confusion, anger, and heartbreak, the show delivers one of its most authentic and powerful arcs in recent memory.

Final Thoughts

As the drama unfolds next week, Roo stands on the edge of a cliff — one wrong move could see her lose the boy she loves like her own. Adrian’s arrival has upended everything, and the future of Cohen’s place in the Stewart family hangs in the balance.

Will Roo risk it all by shutting Adrian out, or will she find the strength to let him in — even if it means facing her greatest fear?

One thing is certain: Summer Bay is bracing itself for an emotional rollercoaster that fans won’t soon forget.