Emmerdale fans are convinced they’ve worked out the dark secret Ruby Milligan is hiding

ITV Emmerdale fans were left reeling after Friday’s episode, as they started to connect the dots about Ruby Milligan’s (portrayed by Beth Cordingly) enigmatic history. The scene where her daughter Steph (played by Georgia Jay) comforts her while they delve into a memory box from Ruby’s estranged father, Anthony Fox (Nicholas Day), was particularly telling.

Anthony, who appeared on the ITV soap earlier in the week, has been trying to mend fences with his daughter through Steph’s efforts. Yet, when an old photograph of a young Ruby surfaced, it became clear she was hiding something. She was visibly upset by the image and broke down, leading Steph to close the box and set it aside.

This mirrored an incident just days before when Ruby had a distressing run-in with her father, resulting in her rushing home in tears and taking her frustration out on her husband Caleb.

Previously, Anthony pleaded with Ruby for forgiveness, only to be met with her stern response: “They don’t see you but I do, I see you,” as reported by the Mirror. He confessed to past errors and showed regret, while subtly pointing fingers at someone named Helen, reports the Express.

Later, Ruby demanded a talk with her father, telling him to leave straight away. When he resignedly responded, “You win,” Ruby was taken aback and countered with, “I win? ” clearly not in agreement with his perspective.

The latest turn of events in the soap opera has everyone talking, as Ruby seems to be concealing a dark secret. Recent episodes have had viewers on the edge of their seats, speculating about Ruby’s tumultuous history and what’s troubling her now.

A popular theory amongst fans is that Ruby might have suffered at the hands of her father, who could also be the biological father of Steph. Social media is flooded with fan theories, with one viewer posting: “I think Steph is Ruby’s Dad’s daughter. I reckon he abused Ruby.”

This view is shared by many, with comments flooding in like “Me too,” and “Exactly right.” Another committed viewer suggested that Ruby’s detachment from her mum might relate to disbelief regarding the supposed abuse.

Drama continues following the bombshell of Ruby’s fling with Cain Dingle (played by Jeff Hordley), brother of Caleb (Will Ash), sparking widespread gossip about how the hidden truth will surface. An unsettling find by Caleb of emergency contraception in his bin led to an explosive clash with Cain, who was gearing up for a truthful admission.

Nonetheless, Cain found himself floored when Caleb showed his lack of awareness about the affair, wrongly assuming the contraceptive belonged to his daughter Steph, who’s getting increasingly chummy with Ross Barton (Michael Parr).

Caleb seems keen to discuss the situation with Steph, and if he does, he’ll soon realise that the pill isn’t hers. Will Caleb challenge his daughter, potentially leading her to confess that she didn’t throw it away, suggesting Ruby is to blame?

Could Steph’s denial lead either her or Caleb to uncover Ruby’s betrayal, and could there be a possibility that someone saw her leaving the garage that day and put two and two together?