Robert Sugden is looking forward to a fresh start with Aaron Dingle after a turbulent past.

But Robert’s “backstage” secret with Kev Townsend — his secret husband — has never been safe.

Next week, Aaron will be witness to that moment: in a private moment, Robert and Kev are caught kissing — Aaron stands there, his heart pounding.

The half-open kiss takes place when Robert believes Aaron is absent — but Aaron appears just in time.

Robert shyly retreats, Kev panics, Aaron coldly asks: “Why didn’t you tell me?” The harsh question, the hurt look — that is the first broken piece in the “Robron” relationship that was once patched with hope.

Robert tries to explain: he and Kev have a deep connection, but he doesn’t want to hurt Aaron, doesn’t want to destroy the happiness he is rebuilding. But Aaron, who loved him with all his heart, was betrayed in the most brutal way—by a kiss. Kev was dragged into the crossfire: if Robert backed out to keep Aaron—would Kev be left behind, seen as an outsider? If Robert chose Kev, Aaron would lose all trust.

Another secret: Kev was actually Robert’s “prison husband”—that is, they had registered their marriage while Robert was in prison. Robert was trying to keep the relationship a secret to protect Aaron. When Aaron found out, he would no longer know what was real and what was fake—the pain of betrayal, anger, and doubt would push Aaron into a decision: break up, ask Robert to choose between them, or quietly leave in pain.