In the week of June 23rd to 27th on Days of Our Lives, Salem is plunged into turmoil as a heartbreaking custody battle brings Sarah Horton Kuryakis to her knees. What begins as a mother’s fierce fight for her child ends in a devastating legal defeat that will leave fans shaken for weeks to come. Sarah’s worst nightmare unfolds in gut-wrenching detail as she loses full custody of her daughter Victoria Kuryakis to her estranged husband, Xander.

This emotionally charged storyline anchors the week’s drama and explores the deep wounds caused by betrayal, manipulation, and a legal system that doesn’t always reward love. Sarah, played with raw vulnerability by Lindsay Godfrey, is stripped of the one thing that gave her life meaning—her child. And as the courtroom verdict echoes through Salem, Sarah is left shattered, her world irreparably altered.

The Battle Begins: Two Parents, One Child, and No Middle Ground

From the very first scenes of the week, Days of Our Lives immerses viewers in the stormy aftermath of Sarah and Xander’s failed marriage. Their once-passionate love has curdled into bitter resentment, and at the center of it all is their daughter Victoria, too young to understand the war raging around her.

The week kicks off with a tense confrontation between the former lovers. Sarah, exhausted but unwavering, pleads to protect her daughter’s well-being. But Xander, portrayed with a steely edge by Paul Telfer, makes it clear he’s not backing down. His declaration—“You’re crazy if you think I’m going to let you cut me out of her life”—sends chills down Sarah’s spine and foreshadows the relentless battle ahead.

Sarah’s concern for Victoria’s safety is palpable. She fears Xander’s dark past and volatile temper could endanger the child. But Xander insists he’s changed, and his growing desperation hints that this isn’t just about love—this is about control.

The Courtroom Showdown: A Fight for the Soul of a Child

As emotions bubble over, the drama moves into the courtroom, where both sides present their arguments in a high-stakes battle that grips the entire town. Sarah steps forward as a nurturing, stable parent who has given her all to raising Victoria. Her legal team highlights her devotion, her career as a respected doctor, and the quiet, structured life she provides for her daughter.

But Xander’s strategy is ruthless. His lawyers paint Sarah as overbearing and unwilling to share custody. They present Xander as a reformed man who deserves a second chance and has a right to be a father. Witnesses testify to his efforts at redemption—some seemingly coerced, others possibly manipulated. Sarah is blindsided by the narrative that unfolds against her.

For longtime viewers, the courtroom tension mirrors real-life struggles. It’s a painful reminder that justice isn’t always served with fairness. As the arguments come to a close, Sarah begins to sense that the scales are tipping against her. Her belief that truth and love would triumph begins to wither under the weight of Xander’s carefully crafted defense.

The Verdict: A Thunderous Blow

On Friday, June 27th, the judge delivers the decision that changes everything. In a gut-punch of a ruling, Xander is awarded full custody of Victoria. The judge justifies the verdict by citing Sarah’s refusal to co-parent and her overprotectiveness as red flags. The gavel falls, and just like that, Sarah’s rights are terminated—completely and irrevocably.

No visitation. No joint custody. Nothing.

Sarah’s reaction is heartbreaking. Her face crumples, her eyes swim with tears, and her arms instinctively reach out for a daughter she can no longer hold. It’s a moment that hits like a sledgehammer. There’s no last-minute twist, no miracle reprieve—just a mother’s quiet devastation as she watches her child slip away forever.

Xander, despite his courtroom victory, looks momentarily haunted. But it’s fleeting. The power is now his, and he walks out of the courtroom with Victoria in his arms—while Sarah is left with empty hands and a broken spirit.

The Aftermath: Grief Without Closure

Back at home, Sarah’s anguish bleeds through every corner of her life. The house is filled with remnants of Victoria’s presence—tiny shoes, a forgotten toy, a beloved blanket—all cruel reminders of what she’s lost. Her sobs echo through the walls as she struggles to comprehend a future without her daughter.

Meanwhile, Xander settles into life as Victoria’s sole guardian. But parenting without Sarah’s balance proves more challenging than he imagined. Victoria’s constant calls for her mother begin to wear him down, and for the first time, Xander is faced with the emotional consequences of his actions.

Though he won the legal war, his heart is now burdened by the knowledge that he may have stolen something sacred—not just from Sarah, but from Victoria as well. His victory tastes hollow, and the cracks in his confidence begin to show.

A Story That Echoes Reality

The Days of Our Lives custody arc of June 23–27 isn’t just another dramatic beat in a long-running soap. It’s a devastating tale of love lost, the flaws of the legal system, and the unrelenting weight of parenthood. For fans—especially those who’ve experienced divorce, custody disputes, or fractured families—this week’s storyline resonates deeply.

Sarah’s loss of Victoria is final. There are no appeals or plot twists to undo the pain. The show delivers this heartbreak with unflinching honesty, making it clear that some wounds never heal. And for Sarah, this is one of them.

As Salem reels from the shock, this plotline promises long-lasting consequences. Can Sarah find peace after such a profound loss? Will Xander prove to be the father he claims to be? And how will little Victoria cope without her mother?

Stay tuned, because Days of Our Lives just delivered one of its most soul-crushing weeks in recent memory—and the emotional fallout is only just beginning.