In next week’s Emmerdale, Caleb Milligan’s cutthroat nature resurfaces as he meets secretly with Ruby’s estranged, terminally ill mother, Helen. Caleb, never one to miss an opportunity, offers a cold-hearted proposition: £100,000 in exchange for allowing Ruby to see her dying mother one last time. Helen, wracked with regret over her distant relationship with Ruby, pleads for a chance to reconnect, but Caleb remains unmoved. Despite Helen’s emotional plea, Caleb’s distrust of her past manipulative behavior prevents him from showing any compassion.
The tension between Caleb and Helen dates back to when Ruby’s parents despised Caleb, seeing him as unworthy of their daughter due to his background. Their harsh treatment led to Ruby being cut off from her family for decades. Now, as Helen reaches out from her deathbed, Caleb sees an opportunity to manipulate the situation for financial gain, ultimately hoping to secure a future for himself and Ruby by investing in a business venture.
Caleb, however, keeps this meeting a secret from Ruby, knowing she would be furious if she found out. The stakes are high, as the trust between Caleb and Ruby hangs in the balance. If Ruby discovers Caleb’s devious deal, their relationship may never recover. Caleb’s determination to protect Ruby from her painful past comes at a cost, leaving viewers wondering how long he can keep up the charade before everything comes crashing down.