The fifth episode of "Echoes of the Past" unfolds with a haunting flashback, where Sawsan insistence on Nadia terminating her pregnancy takes a dramatic turn. Nadia, aware of her own infidelity towards Yassin, leverages this secret as a shield, threatening to expose it if Sawsan persists with her abortion ultimatum. Sawsan's fury ignites, their heated exchange witnessed by the youthful eyes of Layla.
In the present timeline, Ali confides in Sawsan his desire to leave the nest, prompting her to suggest he should ensure Yassin bears some responsibility for his departure. Ali ponders on the nature of their past love, which Sawsan affirms existed but concedes has faded, her remaining solely for the sake of their children.
Elsewhere, Layla and Yehia embark on a journey to the beach house, with Yehia confessing that Nadia had been reluctant to embark on the trip, her discomfort overridden by his determination to impress Mona. As they arrive at the coastal retreat, they inquire about scuba diving from a local guide, using this as a pretext to gather vital information. The guide elucidates the intricacies of oxygen tank tampering, emphasizing the difficulty in creating a leak and the necessity for the diver to swiftly switch to the spare tank on the boat in case of such an emergency. A vivid flashback intersects, depicting the hurried search for the boat after Nadia was rescued from the depths.
Returning to the present, Layla and Yehia proceed to the beach house, where Yehia's memories of Mona resurface. He recalls her revealing her fascination with insects, her delight in dissecting them unhinged by his lack of judgment. Discovering her insect collection box, his eyes fall upon a blade, hidden among her macabre treasures.
Regarding Layla, fragments of her past resurface, including the turbulent altercation between Sawsan and Nadia. In her haste to escape, she stumbled and suffered a graze on her knee, only to be rescued by Yehia once more. Now, as the memory recurs, she trips again, and Yehia's supportive hand is there to steady her, their lips almost brushing before he gently assists her into the car.
As they depart, the vigilant caretaker catches sight of them. Failing to recognize Layla, he alerts Yassin, the ruthless enforcer. Yassin's accomplice, Khaled, sees an opportunity and persuades him to leverage his officer contact to uncover the identity of the young woman accompanying Yassin, intending to use her as leverage.
During their journey, Layla inquiries about Nadia and Sawsan to Mona, who maintains a fiction of camaraderie between the two. Subsequently, Yehia reaches out to Fatla, who coldly ignores his calls. Maldini, conscience-stricken, pleads with Fatla to lend a hand, fearing that without their intervention, Khaled will eliminate Yehia.
Approaching the policeman's checkpoint, Layla and Yehia are requested to produce their documents. Layla, realizing she's without her ID, fears the worst. However, with a swift call to Ali, she wriggles out of the predicament, leveraging his influence to secure their passage. The officer informs Yassin of Ali's override, leaving Yassin furious and instructing Khaled to devise another scheme to thwart Yehia's progress.
A twist reveals Maldini's duplicity; he confides in Khaled that he has persuaded Fatla to meet Yehia, setting the stage for an ambush orchestrated by Khaled.
Elsewhere, Ali embarks on a bold move, secretly acquiring Michael for his nascent venture. Sawsan cautions him to keep this maneuver under wraps until everything is seamlessly in place, wary of Yassin's wrath.
Upon reaching their abode, Layla finds herself pondering over Yehia, now eighteen, and attempts to plant a tender kiss upon his lips. However, he swiftly steers the conversation elsewhere and gently dismisses her advances. As she wanders past her mother, a fleeting memory of Sawsan sobbing inconsolably over Nadia's demise resurfaces, leaving Layla deeply perplexed. Driven by a desire to unravel the source of her own anguish, she confronts Sawsan, seeking the truth that might explain her pain.
In this moment, Sawsan's emotional dam bursts, pleading with Layla to halt her probing. The memory of Nadia's passing evokes a storm of misery within her, as it forces her to recall the sacrifice she made by staying with Yassin solely for Layla's well-being. Recalling the traumatic event, Layla had been hospitalized for an entire year after witnessing Nadia's lifeless body. Yet, she insists that it is now past the point of no return for her to desist.
Meanwhile, Yehia sends a message to the enigmatic correspondent, inquiring about Mona's involvement in the mystery. The Anonymous One replies cryptically, suggesting that Yehia's search is misdirected. Unconvinced, Yehia holds onto his suspicion, believing that Mona's blade could have been instrumental in tampering with the hose. As Echoes of the Past Episode 5 draws to a close, Mona returns to the shores of Egypt, casting a shadow of uncertainty over their lives once again.
