In Salem, where love is always tangled in webs of betrayal and secrets, one couple stands at the edge of heartbreak—Xander Kiriakis and Sarah Horton. Once the embodiment of passion and loyalty, their marriage now teeters on the verge of collapse. With tensions high and emotions raw, the one question fans can’t stop asking is: Can anything save Xander and Sarah’s love?

It turns out, the answer may lie with a surprising player—Philip Kiriakis.

A Marriage in Freefall

Once deeply in love, Xander (Paul Telfer) and Sarah (Linsey Godfrey) were considered one of Days of Our Lives’ most compelling couples. Their love burned bright, filled with undeniable chemistry and emotional depth. But the flame is flickering. Their relationship is unraveling due to a violent confrontation, broken trust, and a custody battle that’s tearing them apart.

Everything came to a head after Xander brutally attacked his half-brother Philip (Jay Kenneth Johnson)—a confrontation so violent that Philip nearly died. The assault sent shockwaves through Salem, especially for Sarah, who saw not just her husband’s rage but the danger it could pose to her and their daughter, Victoria.

Xander’s arrest followed, and suddenly the life they built was shattered.

The Letter That Started It All

The seeds of destruction were planted earlier when Xander discovered Sarah had hidden a major secret. She knew about a forged letter supposedly from the late Victor Kiriakis (John Aniston) that had robbed Xander of his rightful Titan inheritance—but she kept it from him.

Even worse, Sarah refused to apologize for her silence. Instead, she told Xander she no longer trusted him because of his dark side—a cutting accusation that drove him into a rage.

This emotional betrayal sent Xander spiraling. Fueled by fury and heartbreak, he lashed out physically at Philip—the mastermind behind the forged letter—leaving him critically injured and hospitalized. While the letter was a manipulation by Philip, Sarah’s unwillingness to support Xander crushed his spirit and ignited a side of him that Sarah had feared for too long.

Custody War and Maggie’s Betrayal

As the marriage fell apart, a bitter custody battle over their daughter Victoria ensued. Sarah, backed by her mother Maggie Horton Kiriakis (Suzanne Rogers), demanded that Xander leave the family mansion. Maggie, who once saw Xander as a son, turned cold after the attack on Philip.

Now, Xander faces losing everything—not just his wife, but possibly his daughter too. With legal troubles mounting and the threat of prison looming, he worries that he may lose all visitation rights to Victoria. The emotional stakes couldn’t be higher.

Philip’s Surprising Move

But then, a shocking twist emerged. Philip may choose not to press charges.

Why? Guilt. Philip knows his own actions played a role in the chaos. The forged letter was his scheme, and though Xander’s reaction was unacceptable, Philip understands how it all spiraled. Some sources suggest Philip is now seeking reconciliation with Xander, and he may even try to mediate between Xander and Sarah to repair their fractured relationship.

Of course, not everyone is on board. Kate Roberts (Lauren Koslow), Philip’s fiercely protective mother, wants Xander punished. She’s determined to see justice for her son, and she may pressure Philip to reverse his stance.

But if Philip refuses to press charges, it could significantly improve Xander’s legal standing. More importantly, it could show Sarah that even Philip is willing to forgive—and perhaps she should too.

Sarah’s Inner Struggle

Still, forgiveness isn’t easy.

Sarah remains deeply conflicted. She still cares for Xander—possibly even loves him—but she can’t overlook the violence she witnessed. She saw Philip nearly die. That image haunts her. She worries that if Xander could do that to his own brother, he might someday hurt her or Victoria in a moment of rage.

And yet, Sarah is no stranger to moral compromise. She’s made her own questionable choices—kidnapping Kristen’s baby, concealing the truth about Victoria’s paternity, and struggling with mental health. These past actions might help her relate to Xander’s flaws if he can show he’s genuinely willing to change.

That’s the real challenge. It will take more than apologies for Sarah to feel safe again. Xander must demonstrate growth—through therapy, anger management, and cutting ties with toxic influences like Gwen Rizczech (Emily O’Brien).

Gwen’s Return and Brady’s Role

Just when things couldn’t get more complicated, Gwen returns to Salem.

Gwen, Xander’s manipulative ex, has a history of dragging him back into chaos. Her presence poses a major threat. If Xander falls back into old patterns, it could permanently destroy any chance of rebuilding his life with Sarah.

Meanwhile, Brady Black (Eric Martsolf) re-enters Sarah’s orbit. The two share a romantic past, and Brady represents something Xander can’t offer—stability and emotional safety. As Brady grows closer to Sarah, Xander becomes increasingly jealous, realizing that another man might win back the woman he still loves.

Even more explosive are the rumors that Sarah and Philip might develop feelings for each other. If that happens, not only would it complicate Philip’s role as a peacemaker, but it would also deal a crushing blow to Xander.

Is There Hope?

Despite the heartbreak, some fans believe there’s still hope.

Sarah and Xander share a deep, undeniable bond. Their love has survived betrayal, lies, and separation before. Some speculate that Maggie could ultimately become the bridge between them if she sees signs of true change in Xander. She has always valued family, and if she believes Xander is sincere, she might help guide Sarah toward forgiveness.

Likewise, if Philip not only forgives Xander but publicly supports his redemption, it could influence others to give him a second chance.

But let’s be clear: Philip’s refusal to press charges is not enough on its own. It may open a legal door, but it won’t magically erase Sarah’s pain or fears. Xander’s path forward requires real accountability and time—time to show he’s committed to being the man Sarah and Victoria need.

Final Thoughts

Philip’s decision not to press charges could be the turning point in this emotional saga, but it is far from the end. Xander must prove, through action—not just words—that he can change. That he can be the father Victoria deserves and the husband Sarah once adored.

Sarah, too, must decide whether the risk of letting Xander back into her life is worth the potential heartbreak. Brady’s comforting presence, Gwen’s reappearance, and the unresolved tension with Philip all threaten to pull her in different directions.

But in true Days of Our Lives fashion, love in Salem is never simple.

Will Xander earn redemption?
Will Sarah follow her heart or protect herself and her daughter at all costs?
And can Philip’s shocking act of mercy be the key that unlocks a new beginning?