Sonia Fowler has seen her fair share of heartbreak over the years, but nothing quite prepared her for the emotional storm that came crashing in with the return — and sudden departure — of her long-lost father, Terry K. Just as she began to find her footing again after the devastating events surrounding her fiancé Rice, Sonia is blindsided by another twist: Terry, the man she’s yearned to understand for most of her life, is back… but not for long.

Terry’s arrival in Walford was unexpected. Having seen media coverage about Sonia’s recent ordeal with the Rice case, he decided it was time to step out from the shadows of her past and finally face her. When he arrived on her doorstep, Sonia was visibly stunned, questioning whether this man could truly be the father she had searched for years ago — the same father who left without a word and vanished from her life.

But Terry came bearing proof: a worn-out family photo and his passport. Though Sonia’s initial instinct was skepticism, especially after being deceived by Rocky Cotton — who pretended to be Terry back in 2020 — the evidence was hard to ignore. As the truth started to sink in, so did the emotional weight of his return.

Yet this long-awaited reunion was far from the joyful moment Sonia might have imagined as a child. Instead of heartfelt apologies and promises to make things right, Terry quickly revealed that his visit was fleeting — just 48 hours in Walford before heading back to his life in Bali, where he now runs a mindfulness business. For Sonia, this felt like abandonment all over again.

Terry tried to sugarcoat the blow by suggesting a whirlwind tour of Walford’s “hotspots” — a poor attempt to build memories with the time he had left. “Me, you, and the grandchildren — I want to spend the next 48 hours together,” he said. But the charm didn’t stick. When Sonia pressed him about why he had to leave so soon, his explanation — “Work beckons. That boat won’t pay for itself” — left her crushed.

“You get one call and you’re off?” she snapped. “There must be a record for being found and abandoned in one day.” Her heartbreak turned into anger as she told him to leave.

Terry, trying to justify his absence yet again, insisted he wasn’t abandoning her but offered a different path — one Sonia never expected. He asked her to come with him. To Bali. To leave behind the pain, the stares, the gossip, and the memories that haunted every corner of Albert Square. He told her it could be just a few weeks, or as long as she needed — even a fresh start with Beex and baby Julia.

Sonia was stunned. Could she really walk away from everything she knew? The streets she grew up on, her friends, her roots… her mother Carol’s painful history with Terry also loomed heavily in the air. Carol had once revealed how abusive and manipulative Terry had been during their relationship — how he left with nothing but destruction in his wake. Those memories still haunted Bianca, who wasted no time warning Sonia against trusting him.

Bianca, ever protective and direct, confronted Terry and made it clear she didn’t want him anywhere near their family. When Sonia found out Bianca knew Terry was in town and tried to keep it from her, it led to a fiery confrontation between the sisters — the trust between them shaken once again.

But Sonia, ever the caretaker and eternal optimist despite her pain, told Terry she was willing to give him a chance — cautiously. She wouldn’t forgive easily, but she wouldn’t shut the door completely either.

Still, the news of his sudden departure hit her hard. After just starting to understand him, he was leaving. Again. Was this really all there was?

Actress Natalie Cassidy, who has played Sonia for over three decades, recently confirmed she’s stepping away from EastEnders. Her final storyline is set to be emotional, dramatic, and full of unresolved tension — everything fans have come to expect from the Square. In her own words, the ending will be “beautiful, heartfelt and very final.”

Natalie’s exit also involves a major twist — someone new, someone from the shadows of Sonia’s past, will arrive with a revelation that could change everything. This unexpected arrival is set to shake Sonia’s world just as she contemplates her future with Terry. Will it push her toward a new life abroad or anchor her to the Square one last time?

In a recent interview, Natalie shared that she’s ready to “live a little” outside of Walford. After years of trumpet solos, heartbreak, and tense family drama, it’s time for Sonia to find peace. Whether that’s on a beach in Bali or elsewhere, the message is clear: this is the end of an era.

So, will Sonia take Terry up on his offer? Will she escape the ghost of Rice, the weight of her past, and find healing far from Albert Square? Or will her roots — and the betrayal from her father — keep her grounded in familiar pain?

As we prepare for Sonia’s final episodes, expect a wave of emotion, flashbacks, heartfelt goodbyes, and maybe even a tearful exit that will leave viewers reaching for tissues. After all, saying goodbye to Sonia Fowler — one of the Square’s most iconic figures — is no small moment.

EastEnders continues on BBC One and BBC iPlayer. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share your thoughts in the comments — what do you think Sonia should do?