Salem is on fire this week—figuratively and emotionally. Secrets long buried are clawing their way to the surface, unleashing a domino effect that could upend lives, careers, and even the supernatural balance of the town. As we dive into the drama from July 28 to August 1, brace yourselves for ghostly warnings, boardroom warfare, shattered romances, and a mysterious necklace with devastating consequences.

Corporate Chess Moves: Gabby’s Game Begins

The power games at Titan and DiMera Enterprises hit new heights as Gabby Hernandez makes her move. Determined to preserve her grip on influence and legacy, Gabby aligns with the ever-calculating Tony DiMera. Their private strategy meeting oozes tension and ambition. Tony reminds Gabby that fighting fire with fire isn’t just a metaphor—it’s their only chance against the growing threat from Xander and Philip Kiriakis, who’ve shaken the corporate tree a bit too hard lately.

Unwilling to let Titan gain the upper hand, Gabby calls in Steve “Patch” Johnson, a seasoned investigator with ties on both sides of the Salem power struggle. Steve begins digging into company archives, tax reports, and suspicious email threads. But what he unearths isn’t just a case of corporate espionage—it’s personal. Stephanie Johnson, Steve’s own daughter, may be unknowingly caught in the web.

At the hospital, Steve’s confrontation with Kayla Johnson grows heated. His discovery could implicate Stephanie in a scandal she didn’t see coming—financial discrepancies, shadowy board dealings, and perhaps even a betrayal too close to home. When Stephanie finds out her father has been investigating her workplace, their relationship erupts into a storm of mistrust, sparking both familial and professional fallout.

The Phoenix Rises Again? Susan’s Ominous Vision

Meanwhile, in a darkened room filled with flickering candles and old DiMera relics, Susan Banks has a chilling premonition. Claiming to connect with the spiritual realm, Susan focuses her energy on a portrait of Stefano DiMera. Her body trembles. Her voice drops. “He’s not gone,” she whispers. “He’s watching. Waiting.”

Her latest séance sends shockwaves through the DiMera family, especially Chad and EJ. Chad dismisses her claims at first—until Susan begins describing details no one could know. Shadowy visions. Echoes of Stefano’s voice. A feeling of unfinished business that haunts every DiMera hallway.

Then, Marina Evans, long considered Salem royalty in her own right, opens up to Kayla about a series of dreams that leave her shaken. In these visions, Marina is cloaked in black, wandering through misty corridors lined with crows, a queen without a crown but weighed down by power. When she locks eyes with Susan in a chance encounter, both women feel the air shift—a surge of dark energy neither can explain.

Susan tells Marina there’s something inside her. A sickness not of the body, but of the soul. As Marina starts to experience worsening symptoms—fainting spells, confusion, a growing sense of detachment—she turns to old journals, therapists, and eventually Susan herself to make sense of it all. Could this be a psychic attack? Or something deeper… tied to Stefano?

Doug’s Regret, Gabby’s Fury, and the Necklace That Shattered Trust

While the ghosts of the past stir up unease, the present isn’t any more stable. Gabby confronts Doug at a dimly lit bar. Her voice quivers as she accuses him of betraying the family—especially Roman and Ari. Doug, humbled and shaken, pulls out a heartfelt letter meant for Roman. But as he retrieves the envelope, something falls out. A necklace. Not just any necklace—Julie’s long-lost heirloom.

Gasps follow. Suspicion turns to accusation. Why did Doug have the necklace? Was he hiding it? Stealing it? Or had it been planted on him by someone else?

What began as a moment of remorse becomes a flashpoint of suspicion, pulling Doug into a whirlpool of questions and Gabby into a moral quandary. Her instincts tell her something’s off. But her heart wants to believe Doug’s version of events.

Xander’s Jealousy Ignites a Firestorm

Across town, Sarah Horton and Xander Kiriakis’ love story continues its tragic unraveling. After deciding to separate, Sarah confides in Maggie, her mother, about the deep pain and betrayals that led to their decision. Maggie offers warm comfort and stories of past heartbreak to help Sarah heal.

But when Sarah is spotted with Brady Black—who offers a shoulder and a hug in a moment of raw vulnerability—Xander sees red. Especially because Gwen von Leuschner, ever the observer, is right there with him. Jealousy, accusations, and maybe even a few impulsive threats follow. Could this breakup spiral into something darker?

Susan’s Mission: Johnny’s Redemption or More Chaos?

Chanel and Johnny find themselves backed into a legal corner with EJ’s shooting still unresolved. Desperate, Chanel does something bold: she calls in Susan. Johnny is skeptical. But Chanel insists—it’s their only shot.

Susan, in all her eccentric glory, shows up and immediately senses something is wrong with the energy in the room. “This ain’t where the truth is,” she declares before rushing outside, following her instincts into the Salem night.

Later, she returns breathless and wild-eyed. She’s had a vision. Someone shot EJ by mistake. He wasn’t the real target. And the shooter? A woman. Young. Chaotic energy. But Susan refuses to name her—yet.

Johnny and Chanel exchange panicked looks. Could it be Rachel? Someone else? The question hangs in the air as tension builds.

The Marina Mystery Deepens

Back to Marina—her mysterious illness continues to puzzle doctors and friends alike. Susan, feeling a deep pull, warns Johnny and Chanel that Marina may be connected to the spiritual unrest in Salem. Could this be another DiMera possession case? A psychic imbalance? Or something far more dangerous?

Susan’s chilling words echo in the room: “There’s a darkness. I felt it the second I got off the train. It’s clinging to someone here. And I think… I think it’s trying to finish what it started.”

As Marina’s condition deteriorates, and Susan’s visions grow more vivid, the pieces begin to connect. The necklace. The shooter. Stefano’s presence. The DiMera mansion may soon become the epicenter of something Salem hasn’t seen in decades—a spiritual war.

Final Thoughts: The Calm Before the Next Storm?

This week in Days of Our Lives is a masterclass in suspense, emotion, and layered storytelling. From boardroom betrayals to ghostly encounters, from broken marriages to explosive secrets, Salem is primed for its biggest shakeup yet.

And that necklace? It’s more than just jewelry. It may be the key to unraveling a web of lies spanning generations.

Stay tuned. Because as Susan said… the truth isn’t buried. It’s hiding in plain sight.