Summer Bay is no stranger to heartbreak, but the coming storyline on Home and Away is set to cut deeper than most. What begins as a quiet disappearance quickly turns into a desperate race against time, as Roo Stewart is forced to confront every fear she’s ever buried — all while a vulnerable child is left to face the unthinkable alone.

At the centre of the storm is Cohen, a boy who has already endured more instability than any child should. When Adrian abruptly walks away, leaving Cohen behind without warning or protection, the consequences ripple through Summer Bay with terrifying speed.

Adrian’s shocking abandonment changes everything

No one expects Adrian to vanish the way he does. There is no goodbye, no explanation, no attempt to make sure Cohen is safe. One moment he is present, conflicted but involved — the next, he’s gone, leaving behind unanswered questions and a child who doesn’t understand why the person he relied on has disappeared.

At first, those around Cohen assume there must be a misunderstanding. Perhaps Adrian needed space. Perhaps he would return. But as hours turn into days, the truth becomes impossible to ignore: Adrian has chosen to walk away.

For Cohen, the abandonment is devastating. Confusion quickly gives way to fear. He withdraws, struggling to trust anyone who reaches out. Every unanswered question deepens the wound, reinforcing the belief that he has been left behind because he wasn’t worth staying for.

Roo senses something is terribly wrong

Roo Stewart is the first to feel that something isn’t right. Long before anyone confirms Adrian’s disappearance, Roo notices the subtle signs — Cohen’s silence, his guarded behaviour, the way he flinches at simple questions.

Roo has seen this kind of pain before. She recognises the look of a child who has been let down one too many times.

When the reality of Adrian’s abandonment becomes clear, Roo is overwhelmed by guilt and urgency. She replays every recent interaction in her mind, wondering if she missed a warning sign that could have prevented this. And once the truth sinks in, she refuses to sit back and wait for answers.

She decides to find Adrian herself.

A desperate search across Summer Bay

Roo’s search is frantic and emotionally charged. She questions everyone who might have seen Adrian. She retraces steps, revisits old locations, and follows leads that go nowhere. Each dead end fuels her fear that Adrian has not only left Cohen — he’s vanished for good.

As the hours pass, Roo’s worry grows darker. What if Adrian left town intentionally to avoid responsibility? What if something happened to him? And most frightening of all — what if Cohen is now in danger because of decisions made without his consent?

Summer Bay rallies around Roo, but tension builds as opinions clash. Some believe Adrian will resurface eventually. Others fear this abandonment is final. And as uncertainty spreads, the sense of crisis becomes impossible to ignore.

Cohen’s silent struggle

While Roo searches, Cohen spirals inward. He doesn’t lash out. He doesn’t cry loudly. Instead, he retreats — a quiet, heartbreaking response that speaks volumes about how deeply he has been hurt.

Cohen begins to believe this is his fault. That if he had been better, easier, or less complicated, Adrian wouldn’t have left. These thoughts haunt him, shaping a dangerous narrative that threatens his emotional wellbeing.

Roo sees the signs and knows time is running out — not just to find Adrian, but to save Cohen from internalising a trauma that could follow him for life.

A confrontation looms

As Roo’s search intensifies, the possibility of a confrontation becomes inevitable. If Adrian is found, he will have to answer for the damage he’s caused. But the real question is whether any explanation could ever be enough.

Roo is torn between anger and desperation. She wants answers. She wants accountability. But above all, she wants Cohen to feel safe again.

And she knows that safety may not come from Adrian at all.

The community feels the fallout

Summer Bay feels different as this storyline unfolds. Conversations become heavier. Parents look at their children with renewed protectiveness. Old wounds resurface for those who have experienced abandonment themselves.

This isn’t just one family’s crisis — it’s a reminder of how fragile stability can be, and how quickly a child’s world can collapse when adults fail them.

A turning point for Roo

For Roo, this storyline becomes deeply personal. The search forces her to confront her own past mistakes, her regrets, and the moments where she wished she could have protected someone better.

She begins to realise that finding Adrian may not be the solution everyone hopes for. What matters most now is what happens next — who steps up, who stays, and who proves to Cohen that he is not disposable.

What happens next?

As the days pass and the search reaches a critical point, one thing becomes painfully clear: Adrian’s abandonment has already changed everything. Even if he returns, the damage is done.

Cohen’s future now hangs in the balance, shaped not by promises, but by actions.

And Roo is determined that this child will not be left alone again — no matter the cost.

This powerful upcoming storyline promises heartbreak, confrontation, and emotional reckoning, reminding viewers why Home and Away continues to resonate so deeply. Because in Summer Bay, the most dangerous storms aren’t always dramatic — sometimes, they arrive quietly, in the moment someone chooses to walk away.