Zoe Slater’s emotional journey has taken yet another painful turn in EastEnders, as Sharon Watts’s shocking decision leaves her hopes shattered once again.

Even from across the Atlantic, Sharon (Letitia Dean) continues to impact Zoe’s fragile search for her long-lost child — and fans are reeling after the latest twist.

---

Sharon’s Painful Decision

In recent episodes, Sharon revealed that she was heading to Florida to visit her old friend Michelle Fowler (Susan Tully) after learning a devastating truth — that Zoe (Michelle Ryan) had lied about the father of her twins, born in 2006.

As longtime viewers remember, Zoe once claimed that the twins’ father was Dennis Rickman (Nigel Harman) — Sharon’s late husband and adoptive brother. The shocking lie devastated Sharon, who believed she’d been given a rare chance to feel close to Dennis again through Zoe’s children.

Overwhelmed by guilt and grief, Sharon funded a private investigation into the whereabouts of Zoe’s missing son — but that act of kindness has now come to an abrupt end.

---

The Case Closed

During Monday’s episode, Zoe received crushing news from the private investigator: Sharon has withdrawn funding, bringing the search to a halt.

Still reeling from a terrifying Halloween ordeal that left her shaken — trapped in the Queen Vic’s barrel store after hearing a mysterious disturbance — Zoe begged the investigator to continue. But their response was cold and clinical: unless she could raise another £3,000, the case would remain closed.

A desperate Zoe pleaded for even the smallest clue, convinced it could lead her to her child. But the investigator refused to share any further information without payment.

---

A Family Divided

Back home, Zoe found little comfort. Her mum Kat Moon (Jessie Wallace) wanted to help but couldn’t justify selling one of her business assets to fund the search. Meanwhile, Alfie Moon (Shane Richie) questioned whether Zoe’s latest claims — that someone is tormenting her — were genuine or just another cry for sympathy.

Zoe, however, remains adamant that she’s being targeted. Her cat’s disappearance only deepens her paranoia, leaving her convinced that someone is trying to drive her to breaking point.

---

Haunted by the Past

Zoe’s story has always been one of heartbreak and survival. Two decades ago, she fled the hospital shortly after giving birth, unaware of the fate of her newborn daughter, who wasn’t breathing. Ever since, she’s been haunted by the loss — and driven by guilt, desperation, and the faint hope that her son is still out there.

Her ill-fated decision to manipulate Sharon for money may have secured her temporary funding, but it’s now cost her Sharon’s trust — and her best chance of finding her child.

---

What’s Next for Zoe?

With her family divided and Sharon turning away, Zoe stands more isolated than ever. As her mental state begins to crumble under fear and financial strain, viewers are left wondering: is Zoe truly being targeted, or is her trauma pushing her to the edge?

One thing’s certain — EastEnders is setting up a tense, emotional arc that will test Zoe’s strength, her relationships, and her grip on reality.