Buckle up, Days fans, because the week of April 21 through 25 is bursting at the seams with emotional turmoil, twisted alliances, and bombshell revelations that promise to turn Salem upside down. As familiar faces find themselves pushed to their emotional limits, loyalties will be tested, secrets unearthed, and relationships forever changed.
Let’s start with the headline-making moment: Gabi Hernandez shocks everyone at Kayla Johnson’s hospital fundraiser by placing a jaw-dropping $10,000 bid on a charity date with none other than Alex Kiriakis. While the bid might seem generous on the surface, Gabi’s real motives are far more complicated. Is she trying to make JJ jealous? The lingering tension between them following his recent accusations suggests that this might be a calculated move on her part. However, things are about to get even more tangled—because Alex is back with Stephanie.
Though Alex and Stephanie insist the fundraiser is all in good fun, their rekindled relationship makes this public display awkward at best—and dangerous at worst. Even if Gabi doesn’t win the auction, the tension her actions stir up could ignite rivalries, trigger insecurities, and leave both relationships hanging in the balance.
Meanwhile, over at the Salem PD, Jada and Rafe’s love story is drawing to a quiet and painful conclusion. In a mature and tearful conversation, Jada admits that their relationship just can’t survive the heartache they’ve endured. There’s no yelling, no blame—just two people realizing that love sometimes isn’t enough to heal what’s broken. Their farewell will be one of the most emotional moments of the week, offering a bittersweet goodbye to a couple many rooted for.
But while some stories end, others are just beginning. Chad DiMera and Cat Green are riding the high of their successful community event, but their lingering glances and flirty banter hint at something more. Chad, still grieving and uncertain about his emotional readiness, will wrestle with whether he’s ready to move forward into a new chapter. Fans should expect a bit of soul-searching, potential vulnerability, and maybe even the beginnings of something unexpected.
At the heart of the fundraiser is not just drama, but some much-needed levity. Xander, always one to get attention, strips down—shirtless and all—for the cause, bringing both laughter and dollar bills in equal measure. Expect fun festival moments woven in between the emotional rollercoaster elsewhere.
Over in the adoption storyline, Chanel brings heartwarming news to Johnny—they’ve been officially approved to adopt Sophia Choi’s baby. But that joy might be short-lived. After EJ unexpectedly wakes from his coma, both Sophia and Tate Black begin to act distant and uncertain. Could EJ’s reawakening trigger a change of heart in Sophia? Might she and Tate consider raising the baby themselves? The tension around this storyline is just beginning to build, and Johnny’s joy could quickly turn to heartbreak.
Johnny himself is deeply unsettled. The idea of becoming a father brings up painful memories of his own relationship with EJ—memories that might not be as buried as he hoped. He’s also still holding on to secrets from the night EJ was shot, secrets he’s afraid could blow up his future with Chanel if they ever come to light.
As for EJ, his awakening sets off a new chain of events. Susan Banks appears by his hospital bedside, emotional and overwhelmed, but it’s the fallout from EJ’s shooting that takes center stage. Police are eager to question him. Will EJ remember who pulled the trigger? Or will his return to consciousness lead to even more confusion and finger-pointing?
On Friday, April 18, the stage is set for a tense and unforgettable week ahead. Betrayal simmers, secrets swirl, and new arrests shake the foundations of Salem. One of the most explosive developments centers around Xander and Philip. When Xander confronts Philip about a recent deception, the betrayal cuts so deep it threatens to shatter their already fragile dynamic. Philip tries to explain himself, but Xander—always teetering between redemption and rage—isn’t buying it. Their feud escalates into a battle of wounded pride and family loyalties, with consequences that could spill far beyond their own circle. 
Meanwhile, Gabi’s personal life is just as chaotic as her professional one. Facing accusations of attempted murder, she hires a surprising ally: Melinda Trask. Recently fired and bitter, Melinda is more than ready to sink her teeth into a new challenge. She doesn’t care whether Gabi is innocent or guilty—all that matters is winning the case. Their uneasy alliance is built on ambition and mutual frustration, but one wrong move could send both of them spiraling.
That wrong move may come sooner than expected. In a shocking twist, Melinda finds herself at the center of a criminal investigation when a gun—discovered in a nearby trash bin—is traced back to her. Not only is the weapon legally registered to her, but it’s also suspected to be the very one used in EJ’s shooting. When confronted by Shawn, Melinda freezes. Then, in a jaw-dropping confession, she admits she loaned the gun to Ava, claiming she feared for her safety after a violent run-in.
Melinda insists she had no idea the weapon would be used in a crime, but her story raises far more questions than answers. As JJ steps forward and places her under arrest, Melinda’s once-unshakable confidence disappears. She’s cuffed and silent—a dramatic fall from grace for a woman who once ruled the courtroom.
Amidst all the chaos, one moment of pure emotional resonance cuts through: Sami’s quiet departure from Salem. There’s no dramatic fanfare, no explosive showdown—just raw, heartfelt goodbyes. Sami, always a figure of passion and intensity, shows a softer side as she embraces those she loves and leaves behind the town that shaped her. Her exit is a reminder that even in a town as volatile as Salem, sometimes the most powerful scenes are the quietest.
Coming up next week, April 21 to 25: Fashion meets scandal as Salem prepares for a charity runway show like no other. But behind the glitz and glamor, secrets threaten to erupt. A mysterious state auction reveals more than just designer dresses, a long-buried truth surfaces at exactly the wrong moment, and fragile alliances are tested to their breaking points. Don’t miss a minute—because in Salem, even the most beautiful facades can hide the darkest secrets. And next week, those secrets are coming out.
