Not only is she rumored to be Carl’s real mother, Debbie Webster is also facing a personal tragedy more cruel than any enemy: early-onset dementia.

The story begins when Ronnie realizes Debbie often forgets simple things: mixing up dates, mistaking her keys, even calling her ex-boyfriend by the wrong name.

But what hurts viewers most is how Debbie tries to hide her illness, forcing a smile in front of everyone while inside she’s falling apart.

In a recent episode, she breaks down in tears looking at old photos of herself with Ronnie, muttering, “I know who you are… but only today.”

The production team confirmed that this storyline will last at least two years. They want to realistically portray the journey of someone with dementia, not just the illness itself, but also the breakdown of identity. Viewers will witness a strong, intelligent Debbie gradually losing herself.

If the hypothesis about Carl’s identity is correct, Debbie’s illness becomes a painful metaphor: she is forgetting her own past – a past she has tried to hide her whole life. One viewer commented: “If she really is Carl’s mother, forgetting those memories is nothing short of a punishment from fate.”