The quiet coastal town of Summer Bay has been rocked by an emotional whirlwind this week on Home and Away, as fans grapple with the ongoing drama surrounding young Cohen

and the shocking revelations about his parents. In a storyline brimming with heartbreak, confusion, and fractured family ties, viewers have been left questioning whether Cohen’s father

, Adrienne Purcell, will step up—or vanish—just as the boy begins to navigate life without his mother.

Cohen’s Tumultuous Journey

Cohen’s story has been marked by a series of upheavals. Following his mother Samantha’s arrest in June, when she and Cohen were discovered living in a tent, the young boy was thrust into the foster care system. Samantha, facing multiple theft charges, stunned everyone by formally renouncing custody of Cohen, leaving authorities scrambling to find any living relatives who might provide stability.

Yabi Creek Sergeant David spearheaded the search, while foster carer Ru withheld the painful truth from Cohen, hoping that a relative would come forward—or that Samantha might reconsider. Cohen, aware of only one grandparent living somewhere in Canbor, watched as repeated searches yielded no leads. Yet, a breakthrough came when Cash, through careful observation and trust, uncovered a new clue: Cohen’s grandmother resided in Queenbian, just across the border in New South Wales.

Tragically, the discovery brought heartbreak rather than relief. Cohen’s grandmother had passed away from cancer months earlier, effectively ending the search for immediate family. With Samantha’s formal renunciation finalized and Cohen’s letters returned unopened from prison, Ru had no choice but to deliver the devastating news: his mother had abandoned him.

Ru Steps Up

Despite the heartbreak, hope flickered in the form of Ru, who, after Cohen was hospitalized with tonsillitis, decided to formally adopt him. The prospect of finally having a stable, loving home thrilled Cohen, and Ru quickly approached the department to begin the adoption process. Yet just as the future seemed secure, the past arrived with a jarring twist.

In a shocking revelation from Samantha’s case files, Sergeant David and social worker Harper discovered that Samantha had been bailed by a man named Adrienne Purcell when she was a teenager—eight months pregnant with Cohen. Both concluded that Adrienne was most likely Cohen’s father.

Adrienne Enters the Picture

Adrienne’s arrival in Summer Bay added another layer of complexity. When summoned to Yabi Creek Police Station, he confirmed he had always believed Cohen was his son, even carrying a photo of him in his wallet. Samantha had long insisted otherwise, disappearing with Cohen when he was just three months old.

Although a DNA test was underway, Adrienne couldn’t resist approaching Cohen when he spotted him with Ru near the surf club. The encounter left Cohen bewildered, requiring Ru and Cash to intervene and explain the situation delicately. Once the DNA results confirmed Adrienne’s paternity, the reality of the situation set in: Cohen had a father he never knew, and Ru faced the potential loss of the boy she had grown to love.

Father and Son: A Rocky Start

Their initial meeting seemed promising, with Cohen already calling Adrienne “dad” as they played footie together. However, tension quickly mounted. Adrienne attempted to explain that he had never abandoned Cohen, insisting it was Samantha who had taken the boy away. Still, Cohen idolized his mother and refused to believe she could deceive him, leaving him angry and confused.

Ru, sensitive to Cohen’s feelings, initially stepped back, while Alf encouraged her to allow Adrienne another chance. Harper also warned Ru that obstructing Adrienne’s relationship with Cohen could jeopardize her foster role. With reluctant acceptance, Ru facilitated another meeting, allowing father and son to begin rebuilding their bond.

Uncertainty Looms

Despite these small victories, the road ahead remains uncertain. Cohen is eager to connect with Adrienne, yet his father candidly admits he doesn’t know how to navigate fatherhood. Ru, caught in the emotional storm, struggles with the fear that Adrienne may falter, potentially devastating Cohen once again.

Complicating matters further, Adrienne’s sudden decision to pack up and leave town without explanation left Ru stunned. “Tell Cohen I’m sorry,” he said, offering no further reasoning. The move threatened to repeat the trauma Cohen endured with his mother’s abandonment, leaving both Ru and the young boy grappling with a sense of loss all over again.

Ru’s Determination

Refusing to let Cohen experience yet another heartbreak, Ru sprang into action. Putting her own feelings aside, she sought Adrienne’s address through Sergeant David, determined to confront him and persuade him to stay for his son’s sake. The stakes are high, and Ru’s resolve underscores the emotional intensity of this storyline. Fans are left wondering: can Ru convince Adrienne to commit, or will her efforts only drive him further away?

The Emotional Stakes

This arc is more than just a drama-filled storyline. It explores themes of trust, abandonment, and the often-complicated reality of blended families. Cohen’s confusion and fear highlight the impact of parental absence, while Ru’s unwavering commitment demonstrates the importance of stability and support in a child’s life. Meanwhile, Adrienne’s uncertainty and hesitancy reflect the struggles many first-time parents face when thrust into unexpected responsibility.

The juxtaposition of Cohen’s yearning for family against the adult characters’ past mistakes creates a powerful emotional narrative. Viewers are reminded that the consequences of choices—whether deliberate or forced by circumstance—resonate far beyond immediate actions, affecting relationships, trust, and identity.

Summer Bay’s Heartbreak

As Cohen navigates the confusing landscape of parental love, abandonment, and newfound connections, Summer Bay itself becomes a stage for heartbreak and hope. Ru’s role exemplifies resilience and compassion, while Adrienne’s indecision highlights the fragility of newly-formed bonds. The audience watches as a child’s innocence meets the messy realities of adult lives, creating a compelling narrative that blends tension, emotion, and the potential for redemption.

Fans of Home and Away are left on the edge of their seats, emotionally invested in Cohen’s wellbeing. Will Adrienne step up and embrace his role as a father, or will Cohen face yet another chapter of loss? Will Ru’s determination be enough to stabilize the boy’s fragile sense of security? And how will Cohen reconcile the conflicting loyalties and emotions he now faces?

Conclusion

This week’s episodes of Home and Away deliver more than shocking twists—they offer a nuanced portrayal of the complexities of family, love, and responsibility. Cohen’s journey, marked by abandonment, hope, and uncertainty, captures the hearts of viewers while reminding us that family is not always defined by blood alone.

With Adrienne’s departure looming and Ru’s fierce determination in full view, the storyline promises heartbreak, reconciliation, and possibly unexpected redemption. As Summer Bay grapples with the emotional fallout, one thing is clear: Cohen’s life will never be the same, and the audience will be watching every twist, turn, and tearful moment along the way.

For fans seeking drama, emotional depth, and heartfelt storytelling, this arc cements Home and Away’s reputation for tackling real-life challenges with authenticity and intensity.