EastEnders' Martin Fowler resorted to desperate measures tonight (October 28) as he told wife Stacey that he'd slept with his ex Sonia Fowler in an attempt to keep her safe.
Viewers will know that Stacey was forced to flee Walford with her husband Martin following Phil Mitchell's (Steve McFadden) attack, and Ben continues to maintain the upper hand over his knowledge of the attack, most recently threatening to kill Stacey and the kids if Martin doesn't keep them away from the Square.
In tonight's episode, Stacey returned to the Square, with actress Lacey Turner taking a brief break from her maternity leave to continue the storyline.
With Martin fearing for his family's safety, he continued to meet Ben's demands, especially after he told Ben of his plans to meet up with Stacey, and Ben doubled down on his threats.
"She's a Slater, isn't she? Never walks away from a fight. But this isn't a fight that she can win," Ben warned.
"If I was you, I'd do everything I could to keep her away from here, to keep her away from me. Because I will end her, and I'll end you."
What to Read Next
With Ben's threats fresh in his mind, Martin went on to meet Stacey and deliver the bad news that she couldn't return to Walford yet, but things quickly turned sour when Stacey was left horrified by Martin's injuries.
Although he tried to cover up how dire the situation was, Stacey was left unconvinced and vowed to go to Walford to discover the truth, prompting Martin to resort to desperate measures to keep her safe.
"Listen Stace, the reason I asked you to meet me here without the kids is because I can't be with you anymore," he told her. "I'm sorry, but we're done.
"Ever since we got married it's been your problems, your family's problems. When my family were in crisis where were you?"
"You're lying," Stacey shot back. "You're lying, and I want to know why."
With Stacey unwilling to accept Martin's explanation, she demanded to know why Martin didn't want her back in Walford, prompting him to 'admit' that he slept with his ex Sonia (Natalie Cassidy).
"We spent a lot of time together the last few weeks," Martin told Stacey. "I love Sonia, and I'm staying with Sonia."
"You bastard," Stacey replied as she slapped him. "I guess I should thank you really. I thought I'd married a good man, but I'm just glad that I get to see your true colours before I'm too old and too ugly to find someone else. Thanks Martin. Thanks for setting me free."
The episode ended with a distraught Stacey calling her mum Jean for support, while Martin broke down in Sonia's arms.
"I've lost her," he told her. "I've lost them all, Son."
With Lacey Turner still on maternity leave, it doesn't look like Stacey and Martin will be able to overcome this anytime soon.
EastEnders airs on BBC One.
Digital Spy is launching a newsletter – sign up to get it sent straight to your inbox.
Read more news, spoilers and gossip on our EastEnders homepage
Digital Spy Soap Scoop video – hit play below for all the latest EastEnders spoilers, as Sharon turns the tables on Mel, and Honey continues to struggle.
One of Them: From Albert Square to Parliament Square by Michael Cashman
Want up-to-the-minute soaps news, spoilers and gossip on your social feeds? Just hit 'Like' on our Digital Spy Soaps Facebook page and 'Follow' on our @soapscoop Twitter account.
