In a dramatic twist on Emmerdale, it seems the arrival of Caleb and Ruby Milligan’s daughter, Stephanie, is imminent, and there’s a heartbreaking secret looming. Viewers were given major clues about Stephanie’s estrangement from her family during this week’s episodes.

Stephanie was first mentioned earlier this week by Caleb and his mother-in-law Helen Fox, but her presence in their lives is shrouded in mystery. The family hasn’t been in contact with her for some time, and Friday’s episode hinted at her possible return to the village, accompanied by a sad and devastating twist.

After Helen’s death, Ruby reflected on her relationship with her own children. She talked about how Nikki, their son, didn’t want to be involved with the family anymore, but it was clear that her thoughts were focused on Stephanie, who she painfully admitted was “God knows where.” Caleb, uncomfortable with the topic, avoided the conversation, hinting at deeper family issues.

The tension surrounding Stephanie deepened on Friday, with Ruby pressing Caleb to finally discuss their daughter. Caleb was resistant, saying the conversations always ended in tears. Ruby, however, insisted that they should never have stopped trying to reconcile with her. Caleb was convinced that Stephanie would reach out if she wanted to, but Ruby disagreed, hinting at her daughter’s stubborn nature, similar to her father’s.

Ruby’s emotional confession that she could have died in the fire without ever making amends with Stephanie shows just how much pain she’s carrying. She expressed sorrow over not reaching out to her daughter, despite knowing where she is. It’s clear Ruby regrets how much they have hurt Stephanie and fears they’ve “screwed her up enough already.”

As Ruby and Caleb reflected on their relationship with Stephanie, it became apparent that there’s more to this estrangement than meets the eye. Viewers are left wondering what exactly happened between the family and whether Stephanie’s arrival will bring with it a heartbreaking secret that has torn them apart.

The repeated mentions of Stephanie, combined with Ruby’s deep regret, strongly suggest that Stephanie will soon make her debut on the show. But with such an emotional buildup, her arrival will likely come with plenty of drama and a possible devastating twist.

What do you think the heartbreaking secret might be? Will Stephanie’s return heal old wounds, or will it tear the family apart even more? Let me know in the comments!