Today’s episode of Days of Our Lives is nothing short of explosive, as trust is betrayed, secrets boil to the surface, and one of Salem’s hottest couples finds themselves on the verge of implosion. Stephanie Johnson’s carefully curated life begins to unravel—thanks to a devastating choice made by the man she trusted most: Alex Kiriakis.

Stephanie thought she could keep one part of herself tucked safely away—the part that poured itself into a sensual, emotionally layered manuscript she never intended to publish. It was more than a hobby. It was a private journey through her imagination, a creative outlet that allowed her to explore parts of herself she kept hidden from the world. She never imagined it would be discovered—especially not by Alex.

But Alex, ever the opportunist with a flair for bold moves, stumbled upon her manuscript at her apartment and couldn’t resist diving in. What he found wasn’t just good—it was riveting. With Titan Publishing in dire straits and the loss of Body and Soul fresh in everyone’s minds, Alex saw an opportunity to breathe life back into the once-iconic brand. Stephanie’s manuscript, a provocative but tastefully written erotic novel, could be the golden ticket.

The problem? Stephanie never gave him permission to read it—let alone share it.

Despite Stephanie’s deep reservations about making her private work public, Alex couldn’t let go of the idea. He approached Kate Roberts Brady, a former publishing powerhouse, with the manuscript—without naming the author. He pitched a deal: if she thought the book had bestseller potential, she could lead Titan Publishing’s revival. Intrigued, Kate agreed to read the anonymous work.

At this point in the episode, fans watched with baited breath as Alex handed the manuscript over to Kate on the May 19th broadcast. Kate, always sharp and business-savvy, seemed intrigued by the potential of bringing Titan Publishing back from the ashes—especially with such a compelling manuscript in hand.

But what Alex saw as a strategic move, Stephanie saw as a betrayal when she learned what he had done.

Backtracking a bit—Stephanie had initially been hesitant but open to discussing the book’s future. Her fears were valid: she worried about how Salem’s gossipy public would react to such an intimate side of her. She feared professional backlash and personal humiliation. When she finally made it clear that she didn’t want the book published—at least not now—it should have ended there.

But it didn’t.

Alex chose ambition over honesty. He didn’t tell Stephanie that Kate already had the manuscript. And that decision marks the beginning of what could be the end of their relationship.

Stephanie may be composed and poised in public, but her manuscript exposed a much more vulnerable side. It was never meant to be shared, especially not with someone like Kate, who is known for her assertiveness and tendency to bulldoze boundaries when business is involved. As viewers know all too well, once Kate sets her mind to something, she rarely backs down.

With no current projects since the cancellation of Body and Soul, Kate is eyeing this manuscript as a career revival. She’s smart enough to know that a book like this—if handled well—could bring massive attention and sales. But Kate doesn’t know who wrote it…yet.

It’s easy to imagine a scenario where Kate demands to know the author’s identity or pushes to publish it regardless. She might even suggest changes that would allow the book to be released under a pseudonym—sidestepping the drama but still cashing in on the content. Or worse, she might bypass both Alex and Stephanie, claiming the manuscript and taking it to another publisher herself.

As of now, Alex is choosing silence. He hasn’t confessed to Stephanie that he handed her deeply personal work to someone else. He justifies his actions by convincing himself that he’s trying to help her—that if the book succeeds, it could change her life. But his good intentions don’t excuse the betrayal. When (not if) Stephanie finds out, the fallout could be massive.

Fans are already sensing storm clouds forming over Salem’s most talked-about couple. Trust has been broken. Stephanie was clear: the book stays private. Alex’s ambition and secretive dealings may have crossed a line that can’t be uncrossed.

And the consequences won’t stop with just hurt feelings. Stephanie’s career as a high-profile PR professional could be in jeopardy if her identity as the novel’s author is exposed. Not only would she lose her clients’ confidence, but her reputation could take a hit that no spin strategy could fix.

Meanwhile, Kate’s growing interest in the project puts additional pressure on the entire situation. If she digs deeper and finds out the truth before Alex comes clean, the drama could escalate quickly. And if Stephanie discovers her work has been circulated without her consent, it could spell the end for her and Alex.

As we watch this dangerous game unfold, one thing is certain: secrets don’t stay hidden for long in Salem. Alex’s bold move may cost him the woman he loves. Stephanie, once open to compromise, now sees Alex’s actions as a violation of trust. And Kate—poised to reclaim her publishing crown—might just be the one who lights the match that sets this whole relationship ablaze.

Stay tuned. Salem’s romance may have just turned into a ticking time bomb.