The newest episode of Days of our Lives, airing Monday, August 25, 2025, delivers another round of emotional gut punches, shocking revelations, and desperate sacrifices that push Salem’s most powerful families to the edge. This installment takes viewers deep into a storm of betrayal, loyalty, and secrets that cannot stay hidden forever.

Brady’s Confrontation with Kristen

The drama kicks off at the Salem Police Department, where Brady Black storms into the holding area with fury in his eyes. Behind the bars sits Kristen DiMera, her appearance shaken, her spirit seemingly broken after her explosive courtroom confession. Brady is unable to hold back his frustration and confusion. He hurls question after question, demanding to know how she could shatter what little peace remained between them by admitting to pulling the trigger on her own brother, EJ.

The atmosphere is thick with emotion as Brady’s voice cracks under the weight of betrayal. Kristen, hunched on the narrow cot, looks nothing like the sharp, polished woman Salem knows. She is worn down, devastated—but still calculating. While Brady searches her face for signs of deception, Kristen keeps her lips sealed about the real truth. Beneath her calm exterior lies the torment of a mother willing to sacrifice everything to shield her daughter Rachel from the devastating reality that she was the one who fired the gun.

Brady’s instincts tell him something is off. He knows Kristen better than most, and despite their rocky past, he can feel she is hiding something monumental. The irony is cruel—they are once again separated by prison bars, with their daughter’s future caught in the middle.

Kristen’s Sacrifice, Rachel’s Burden

Inside Kristen’s mind, the events of that tragic night replay on a constant loop. She sees Rachel’s trembling hands, her tearful pleas, and the desperate moment that ended in a gunshot. No mother wants to remember her child in such a state, and Kristen refuses to let Rachel live with that trauma. Instead, she embraces her own downfall, believing years behind bars is a small price to pay to protect her daughter’s innocence.

But her lie is fragile. Brady’s relentless interrogation forces her to weave deeper into her web of deception, knowing one slip could expose Rachel’s guilt. Meanwhile, Rachel herself struggles with guilt and confusion. She cannot understand why her mother confessed to something she knows isn’t true. The psychological toll is already mounting, leaving those close to her deeply concerned.

Marina’s Dilemma

One of the few people aware of the truth is psychiatrist Marina Evans. Caught in an impossible position, Marina balances her professional duty with her personal loyalty. She knows Rachel’s fragile mental state requires careful handling, but Kristen’s cover story forces her to play along with a dangerous secret. Every word she speaks to Rachel must be measured, offering comfort without revealing the truth.

Marina’s internal struggle grows heavier as she weighs the ethics of letting an innocent woman take the fall for a child’s mistake. Protecting Rachel’s mental health could mean permanently altering the course of Kristen’s life. For Marina, it is a test of both her medical ethics and her humanity.

EJ’s Manipulation, Chad’s Suspicion

Across town, EJ DiMera faces his own battle. Still recovering from being the victim of the shooting, EJ now finds himself guarding the secret of who really pulled the trigger. He has every reason to keep Rachel’s involvement hidden, but his brother Chad is growing suspicious. Chad’s instincts as both a journalist and a protective sibling tell him Kristen’s confession doesn’t add up.

EJ scrambles to distract Chad, but his evasive answers only fuel Chad’s determination to uncover the truth. When Chad pushes too far, EJ makes a shocking decision—he physically incapacitates his own brother to stop him from investigating further. This extreme move shows just how far EJ is willing to go to protect Rachel, even at the cost of destroying his relationship with Chad.

Cat’s Double Life Explodes

While the DiMera drama rages, another bombshell threatens to shake Salem’s foundations. Cat, who had been romantically involved with Chad, is revealed to be a covert operative working to dismantle the DiMera empire. Her romance with Chad was nothing but a cover, carefully designed to infiltrate the family and gather incriminating evidence.

Her betrayal is devastating for Chad. Every moment of closeness, every tender exchange, is revealed to have been part of a calculated mission. Cat’s handler, Ray Fernandez, now has a mountain of evidence exposing the DiMeras’ illegal activities—ranging from money laundering to intimidation tactics and political corruption.

The timing of this revelation is disastrous for the family. With Kristen behind bars and EJ consumed with protecting Rachel, the empire is more vulnerable than ever. The fallout from Cat’s deception could mean not only legal consequences but also the exposure of long-buried family secrets.

Leo and Gwen’s Bitter Reunion

Elsewhere in Salem, old wounds reopen. Leo Stark, recently released from jury duty, encounters his former best friend, Gwen Rizcik. Their reunion is anything but warm. Gwen’s fury is clear as she reminds Leo that his betrayal with Dimitri von Leuschner destroyed their friendship beyond repair.

Leo’s desperate attempts at apology fall flat. Gwen’s pain is still raw, and her refusal to forgive underscores how deeply Leo’s actions scarred her. For Leo, the encounter is a sobering reminder that not all relationships can be salvaged. His selfishness cost him one of the most important friendships of his life, and Gwen makes it clear there is no path back.

The Aftermath of Kristen’s Confession

Back at the courthouse, the fallout from Kristen’s dramatic confession continues to reverberate. Just as the jury was about to deliver a verdict, she interrupted, throwing the entire trial into chaos. The judge ordered a recess as Kristen was taken into custody, leaving the future of the case in limbo.

Outside the courtroom, Marina and EJ debated the consequences. EJ argued that Rachel must be kept out of it at all costs, while Marina worried about the long-term damage to the young girl. Meanwhile, Brady pressed Sarah for answers about Sophia’s baby, convinced she knows something that could endanger his family. Sarah, bound by medical ethics, refused to speak, but her hesitation only deepened Brady’s suspicions.

A City on Edge

By the end of the episode, Salem is once again left reeling. Kristen’s shocking decision to take the fall for her daughter sets the stage for a heartbreaking storyline, while EJ’s desperate tactics risk destroying his own family. Chad, betrayed by both Cat and EJ, faces a crossroads that could change the course of his future.

Rachel, the innocent child at the heart of it all, carries a burden no ten-year-old should bear. And as Brady pushes for answers about both Kristen and Sophia’s baby, his determination may yet uncover truths that others are desperate to keep buried.

One thing is certain: in Salem, lies never remain buried forever. Secrets unravel, loyalties are tested, and the fallout from Kristen’s confession is only the beginning of a storm that promises to consume everyone involved.