Welcome back, DOOL fans. Salem is spiraling into chaos this week as dark secrets, explosive betrayals, and power plays grip the town from every angle. From the chilling arrest of Johnny DiMera to Xander’s dangerous descent into morally grey territory, the upcoming week of June 30 to July 4 promises high-stakes drama that will leave viewers stunned and characters shattered.

The biggest shock of the week centers around Johnny DiMera. Once seen as a rising star in the DiMera legacy, Johnny now finds himself locked behind bars, accused of attempting to murder his own father, EJ DiMera. The arrest was sudden and brutal, and now Johnny is staring down a future defined by prison walls and broken trust. Yet the harshest blow comes not from the Salem PD, but from EJ himself—who, despite suffering from memory issues after the attack, begins to suspect his son’s involvement.

Haunted by a foggy recollection of that night, EJ struggles to put the pieces together. His fragile emotional state leads him to question Johnny’s loyalty, despite the lack of concrete evidence. Johnny, reeling from both betrayal and fear, prepares for a heated confrontation with his father. It will be more than just a plea—Johnny is ready to fight for his truth, for his innocence, and for the bond he believes still exists between them. The question is: will EJ listen—or will he let his fractured memory drive a wedge that may never heal?

Rumors swirl in Salem that EJ may seek help to recover his memories—possibly hypnosis or therapy—to uncover the truth. But with the lines between real recollection and emotional bias blurred, he risks either exonerating Johnny or creating a false narrative that could endanger everything.

Meanwhile, Stephanie Johnson finds herself facing a very different trial—one involving betrayal, exposure, and her most personal creation. Her unpublished novel, a labor of love, was given to Kate Roberts Brady by Alex Kiriakis without Stephanie’s consent. When Kate misplaces it, the manuscript begins circulating around the hospital, drawing whispers and ridicule. Stephanie feels violated and furious, her creativity turned into gossip fodder.

Surprisingly, Kate is blown away by the manuscript and insists Stephanie publish it, calling it a guaranteed bestseller. Stephanie is torn—can she push past Alex’s impulsiveness and Kate’s recklessness to embrace a future as a published author? Or will the betrayal prove too much to overlook? Her decision could shape her future—not just as a writer, but as a woman who’s finally ready to take ownership of her story.

Over in the business world, Tony DiMera is ready to step back into the spotlight. With the Titan-DiMera alliance crumbling and leadership in disarray, Tony sees his chance to reclaim the empire. No longer content to play the role of peacemaker, Tony is strategizing a bold return to power. Some see him as the stabilizer Salem needs, while others suspect he may be the next ruthless DiMera to leave a trail of destruction in his wake. One thing’s clear: Tony isn’t pulling any punches this time.

But if Tony is rising, Xander Kiriakis is sinking deeper into darkness. On the surface, he’s keeping up appearances. Underneath, though, he’s barely holding it together. His contentious co-parenting battle with Sarah Horton has reached new lows. Their most recent argument shatters any chance of civility, and Sarah, disgusted by Xander’s volatile past, threatens to cut off his access to their child.

Desperate and enraged, Xander begins entertaining illegal tactics. He approaches Melinda Trask, suggesting she help him manipulate the legal system to win custody. If he follows through, Xander will officially cross the line—becoming not just a flawed father, but a dangerous adversary.

At the same time, Xander sees opportunity at Titan. The company is vulnerable, and he’s ready to strike. Whether it’s through backdoor deals, blackmail, or outright sabotage, Xander is prepared to make his power play. His dual track of vengeance at home and ambition in the boardroom paints a chilling picture: Xander is ready to scorch the earth to get what he wants.

Amid all this high-stakes maneuvering, a deeply emotional story is quietly unfolding. Sophia Choi, young and scared, is preparing to give up her unborn child for adoption. She hopes Tate Black will stand by her and help make the selfless decision they agreed upon. But Tate’s growing hesitation gnaws at Sophia. Doubts creep in, and then a rumor detonates everything—Tate may not even be the father.

Whispers point to Aaron Greene, a figure from Sophia’s past who may hold the biological key to this emotional maze. If Aaron is the real father, Sophia’s plans could collapse into chaos. Legal battles over paternity, custody complications, and shattered trust threaten to drown her just when she needs peace the most. She clings to hope, but the future has never felt more uncertain.

As Salem heads into the new week, every storyline is on the verge of detonation:

• Johnny’s trial looms, with the truth buried beneath guilt, memory loss, and fear.
• Stephanie must choose whether to share her soul with the world or retreat into silence.
• Tony makes his move to reshape DiMera Industries in his image.
• Xander walks the edge of corruption, risking fatherhood, business, and self-respect.
• Sophia Choi prays for stability as paternity secrets threaten everything.

As secrets unravel and tensions spike, one question echoes across Salem: when everything is on the line, who do you trust? Betrayal is around every corner, justice feels slippery, and the line between love and destruction grows ever thinner.

Don’t miss a moment of this explosive week in Days of Our Lives. The fireworks start early this year—and they might burn everything down.