After a difficult day at the board shop, Lacey finally reaches her breaking point. She decides to fire herself from the position, admitting to Mali that, deep down, she has always hated surfing and has only been pretending for the sake of fitting in. In a quiet moment with Theo, she goes even further and reveals a deeply personal truth — she has a crippling fear of water that she has carried for years but never confessed. The weight of these revelations leaves Mali shocked and burdened with guilt. He realises how unfair it was for him to keep pushing Lacey toward the waves, trying to shape her into a surfer when it was never what she wanted. Filled with remorse, Mali offers Lacey a heartfelt apology for forcing his own dream onto her instead of respecting her choices.

In the midst of this emotional tension, Theo steps in with a practical solution. He suggests a job-share arrangement: Lacey could step away from the surf lessons entirely while still staying connected to the shop. Under this plan, Theo would take on the responsibility of teaching the lessons and working directly with the students, while Lacey would focus on managing the business, organising schedules, and running the shop operations from the shore. After some hesitation, Mali agrees that it could work, and Lacey cautiously accepts the compromise. It feels like a fresh start for all of them — a way for Lacey to remain part of the team without betraying who she truly is, and for Mali to learn the importance of letting the people he cares about choose their own path.

Mackenzie is struggling with heavy grief and disappointment in the aftermath of their unsuccessful IVF attempt, and the emotional toll begins to put distance between her and Levi. She withdraws into herself, finding it hard to talk openly, while Levi watches helplessly from the sidelines, unsure of how to bridge the growing gap between them. Their shared dream of starting a family feels more fragile than ever, and the silence between them speaks louder than words.

Later, when Mac finally finds the courage to open up, she confronts Levi directly. In a raw and vulnerable moment, she puts him on the spot, asking whether he is truly ready to go through a second round of treatment. Levi hesitates, worried not only about the physical and emotional strain the process places on her, but also about whether they are both in the right place to face the challenges ahead. However, Mac is determined. She makes it clear that, despite the pain of their first failed attempt, she wants to try again and is willing to endure the risks and difficulties for the chance of becoming a mother.

Moved by her determination and love, Levi agrees that they should go ahead with another round. But this time, he insists that they need to prepare themselves more thoroughly — emotionally, mentally, and practically. He doesn’t want them to rush into the process unready, but instead face it together with stronger communication and better support. It is a cautious but hopeful step forward, one that acknowledges both the heartbreak they’ve endured and the resilience they will need for the journey still ahead.