This week in Emmerdale, Robert Sugden – who was the leading man in Aaron’s relationship – officially reappears, bringing with him a troubled past.

Robert isn’t back just for love – but for a bigger plan, and possibly an unhealed wound.

He walks into the Dales village with a smile, but his eyes are like he’s preparing for battle.

Robert returns for Mack and for Aaron.

Because Mack needs him to form an alliance, because Aaron needs him to heal – but Robert has his own agenda too. As the trailer reveals: Robert walks into The Mill, dressed in a suit, his face calm but his hand toying with a ring – a symbol of what’s been lost. He knows he still has influence over Aaron, and Mack is playing the king card. Will Robert accept this role or become a rebel?

Robert must face his past: he missed Aaron, abandoned the relationship, hurt Aaron. Coming back is not just about saying “I love you” – viewers remember the pain. Moreover, when Mack is pulling the strings behind the scenes, Robert can be turned into a pawn or a confrontation. A leaked scene reveals: Robert and Aaron look at each other on the bridge, the afternoon sun shines through – “I still love you” Robert says, Aaron responds with a brief shake of the head. Everything is still “unclear”.

Robert is currently standing between the two: Mack behind the chessboard, Aaron in front. He has to choose: to come back for true love or to be controlled? If he chooses for love – will Aaron accept? If he chooses for Mack – will he lose Aaron forever? And if he leaves both – where will he go?