Content disappears in intermediate dates when using time-machine

Problem Statement

The time-machine feature allows visualizing content based on publish and expiration dates. Under normal circumstances, the current content should remain visible until the scheduled new version reaches its publish date.

Problem

In certain edge cases, a content item that is scheduled to be published at a future date is displayed correctly when that future date is selected. However, when navigating back to visualize the original content (the one that should remain active until the new version replaces it), the original content disappears in the intermediate dates between:
• Now (current date), where the content is visible.
• Future publish date, when the new version is supposed to appear.

So far, this problem can only be reproduced here using the main index page

Steps to Reproduce

https://dotcms.slack.com/archives/C089DJ48C01/p1757343952461989?thread_ts=1757343342.409299&cid=C089DJ48C01

1. Create content A and set it as published (visible now).
2. Edit content A and create a new version (A’) with a future publish date.
3. Use Time Machine to navigate to:
   • Current date → content A is shown ✅
   • Future publish date → content A’ is shown ✅
   • Intermediate date between current and future publish date → no content is shown ❌

Acceptance Criteria

Expected behavior
• Content A should remain visible up until the exact publish date of content A’.

Actual behavior
• In the intermediate window, neither A nor A’ is shown, creating a visibility gap.

dotCMS Version

current main

Severity

Critical - System unusable

Start by reproducing the issue through Time Machine on the main index page, following the listed current, future, and intermediate date steps. Compare the content visible at each date and verify that content A remains visible until the exact publish date of A’.