Emmerdale spoilers: Rhona and Marlon’s relationship tested by news from Gus

**It’s an incredibly challenging time (Picture: ITV)**

In Friday’s (December 29) Emmerdale episode, Rhona Goskirk (Zoe Henry) received a huge shock when she learned she would be caring for baby Ivy for a little longer than anticipated.

A few months back, Rhona received word that her former lover Gus had taken one of her stored embryos to enable his current partner Lucy to conceive.

As a result, Rhona is now Ivy’s biological mother but not her legal one.

Gus has struggled to deal with his loss and raising a child since Lucy passed very soon after giving birth.

Rhona and Mary (Louise Jameson), although warning each other to keep their distance, have been a great help to Gus over the past few weeks, and they even allowed him and Ivy to stay over Christmas.

In tonight’s episode of the ITV soap, it was New Year’s Eve.

**Gus has struggled to look after Ivy and process Lucy’s death (Picture: ITV)**

Mary and Rhona were strolling about the town talking about Gus’s abrupt absence and what it may imply for Ivy, while many others were thinking back on 2023 and getting ready to celebrate the beginning of 2024.

**The situation is emotional and complex for Rhona (Picture: ITV)**

Mary emphasised that in this case, it was crucial to take Marlon’s (Mark Charnock) sentiments into account, as he wasn’t thrilled about the idea of taking care of a newborn on a permanent basis.

Rhona discovered a note from Gus on the floor at the entryway as soon as they got back.

Upon opening the letter and perusing the contents, she discovered that Gus desired her to take care of Ivy while he grieved over Lucy.

Rhona and Marlon spoke about the complicated scenario that evening.

Although Rhona contended that there was a chance Gus may not return, Marlon asserted that if he did, stealing Ivy would bring Rhona even greater pain due to the attachment Rhona would have with her.

That plus the fact that she is now caring for a youngster who is not her own child.

With Rhona spending more time with Ivy, is Gus ever going to come back?

If not, how will Rhona and Marlon’s relationship be affected by this development?