Tane listens carefully, but his expression makes it clear that Jo’s words haven’t changed his mind. No matter how much he wrestles with his feelings, he knows where his priorities must lie. Taking a deep breath, he steels himself for the conversation he’s been dreading. As much as he cares for Jo and as much as part of him wants to explore what they might have together, he can’t ignore the bigger picture — Harper, Archie, and the fragile balance of their lives.

With a heaviness in his voice, Tane finally says what he knows will break Jo’s heart. He tells her plainly that he can’t go on like this and that, painful as it is, this is the end of the road for them. Every word feels like it costs him, but he knows dragging things out would only make the situation worse for everyone involved. It’s not fair to Jo, and it’s not fair to Harper, who is still clearly wounded from their past.

Jo stares at him in disbelief, the sting of rejection cutting deep. She had convinced herself that their connection was real, that he was just holding back out of loyalty to Harper. To hear him finally draw a line leaves her shaken and angry, though beneath it all she knows he means what he says. Tane stands firm, even as the silence between them grows heavier, signalling that there’s no turning back from his decision.

 

Reeling from Tane’s rejection, Jo seeks out a sympathetic ear and ends up confiding in Levi (Tristan Gorey). She admits openly that, no matter how hard she tries, she just can’t shake the thought of what might have been between her and Tane. Every shared glance, every fleeting moment they’d spent together keeps replaying in her head, and the more she dwells on it, the harder it is to accept that it’s truly over. Levi listens patiently, offering quiet support, but even he can see how deeply Jo is struggling to let go.

Later, acting on impulse, Jo makes a bold decision. She turns up unannounced at Tane’s doorstep, determined to get some closure. Standing in front of him, she adopts a calm tone, telling him that she finally understands his position. She assures him she’ll respect his wishes and promises to steer clear from now on, even though the words clearly cost her. To Tane, it sounds like the resolution he’s been hoping for, a chance to put an end to the turmoil once and for all.

But just as she’s about to leave, Jo makes one last move. Stepping closer, she leans in and plants a lingering kiss on him — not desperate, but deliberate. It’s her way of reminding him of the spark they shared, of ensuring he knows exactly what he’s choosing to walk away from. Pulling back with a faint, knowing smile, Jo leaves Tane stunned and conflicted, her parting gesture hanging heavy in the air. For Tane, the kiss raises more questions than answers, leaving him torn between the boundaries he’s tried to set and the undeniable chemistry Jo has just reignited.

Later in the week, Irene sits on a bench at Flat Beach, gazing out over Baywater and quietly reflecting on the many memories she’s made in the Bay with those she loves.