Salem is on the verge of losing one of its most iconic and complex characters in a story that mirrors the emotional gravity of Cain Dingle’s shocking departure from Emmerdale. Days of Our Lives takes fans deep into the emotional abyss of love turned bitter, trust shattered, and revenge ignited — and at the heart of it all stands Xander Kiriakis, a man betrayed not just by others, but by the hope he dared to hold onto.

Xander’s Emotional Collapse: A Man Betrayed by Love

Once seen as a redeemed rogue with a chance at happiness, Xander Kiriakis is now being emotionally dismantled, piece by piece. His fall isn’t triggered by scandal or violence but by betrayal — the most personal kind. And unlike Cain Dingle, whose heartbreak led him to make a noble sacrifice for his son, Xander’s unraveling comes at the hands of the people he trusted most: Gwen Rizczech, Gabby Hernandez, and even Sarah Horton.

Xander’s story in July is not about crime or corporate takeovers — it’s about the brutal consequences of emotional manipulation. Much like Cain watching his son suffer and realizing that love sometimes means walking away, Xander is about to learn that trusting the wrong people can destroy a man from the inside out.

Gwen’s Cold Revenge: From Love to Weapon

Gwen Rizczech once loved Xander deeply — despite his flaws and despite the shadows in his past. She believed he could change. She believed they could build something together. But when Xander turned away from her and back to Sarah, Gwen didn’t just feel hurt — she felt erased. Humiliated. Disposable.

And she wasn’t going to let that slide.

Enter EJ DiMera, the cold and calculating puppet master who recognized Gwen’s pain as the perfect weapon. He didn’t need to convince her for long. All it took were a few whispered reminders of the nights she cried alone, of the way Xander had comforted Sarah instead of her, of the way she was made to feel like a placeholder. Gwen agreed. Not because she was still in love — but because she wanted Xander to feel everything she once did.

The Trap Is Set: A Web of Lies Unfolds

When Gwen returns to Salem, she plays the part flawlessly. Soft-spoken apologies. A vulnerable smile. Even the tears feel real. And Xander, unaware of the setup, lets his guard down. He believes in second chances. He believes Gwen wants to reconnect.

He couldn’t be more wrong.

Behind the scenes, Gwen is recording every conversation, tracking every move, and feeding EJ a steady stream of intel. It’s a betrayal so intimate, so complete, that by the time Xander realizes what’s happening, the damage is already done.

Gabby’s Kiss: A Calculated Blow

As if Gwen’s deception weren’t enough, Gabby Hernandez is recruited by Tony DiMera in a move designed to ignite emotional chaos. Her mission? Seduce Xander just enough to plant a kiss — and make sure Sarah Horton sees it.

She succeeds.

In a flash of lipstick and lies, Gabby kisses Xander in front of Sarah and Brady Black. Sarah, caught off guard and heartbroken, responds with her own kiss — right on Brady’s lips. The result? A brutal, emotional domino effect. Brady and Xander clash in a public blowout. Sarah walks away again. And Xander? He’s left confused, betrayed, and publicly humiliated.

Xander’s Breaking Point: A Hollow Shell Remains

The emotional carnage becomes too much. Xander doesn’t fight back. He doesn’t scream or beg. He simply… disappears.

He stops returning calls. He avoids everyone. He becomes a ghost, wandering through his home like a stranger in his own life. In one of the most haunting scenes of the summer, he’s shown sitting alone in the dark, holding an old photo of himself and Sarah. There are no words, no tears — only silence.

His fall is not physical, but spiritual. A man who once fought so hard for love is now broken by the very people he once believed in.

Gwen’s Regret and Gabby’s New Game

Gwen, having accomplished her mission, leaves Salem once more. But instead of triumph, she feels hollow. The revenge that was supposed to bring her peace only brings more pain. Meanwhile, Gabby sets her sights on Philip Kiriakis. But this time, it’s different. She’s unsure whether she’s faking her feelings — or falling into her own trap.

The cycle continues. But for Xander, the story may be over — or at least, this chapter of it.

The Tragic Ending: Xander Lives, But Barely

By the end of July, Xander Kiriakis is a shadow of his former self. He’s not dead, but he no longer lives with purpose. No friends. No family. No future. He’s last seen walking alone by the Salem River, holding that same photo of Sarah. His coat is worn. His eyes are blank. No one notices. No one stops him.

He is alive — but barely.

The Hope That Remains: Could Rachel Be the Key?

And yet, even in the darkest stories, Days of Our Lives knows how to plant seeds of hope.

In this case, that seed is Rachel Black.

She’s not Xander’s child by blood, nor Sarah’s. But the young girl has unexpectedly formed a bond with both. Rachel adores Xander — his goofy charm, his warmth, his protective heart. And Sarah sees it. Despite all the lies, the betrayals, and the pain, she sees the version of Xander she once loved emerge — not for her, but for Rachel.

That might be the key.

Could Sarah and Xander Ever Reunite?

It’s the question fans keep asking. And the answer may lie not in passion or promises, but in something more grounded — consistency. For once, Xander isn’t chasing redemption through grand gestures. He’s just… showing up. Quietly. Honestly. And Sarah notices.

Rachel has become a bridge between them, reminding them of who they were — and who they might become.

Final Thoughts: Love, Loss, and the Cost of Trust

In the end, this storyline is not about vengeance. It’s about what betrayal does to the human spirit, and whether love can survive it. Gwen, Gabby, and EJ may have orchestrated the fall of Xander Kiriakis — but Days of Our Lives leaves us with a lingering question: Can a man so thoroughly broken ever rebuild?

Just as Cain Dingle’s exit from Emmerdale left a void in the village and a legacy shaped by fatherly sacrifice, Xander’s emotional breakdown marks a turning point in Salem. Not just for him, but for everyone who ever believed in him — or betrayed him.

Salem is forever changed.

Stay tuned. Because in this town, redemption is never out of reach — even for those who seem lost forever.

All-new Days of Our Lives, only on Peacock.