Salem is bracing for yet another emotional rollercoaster, and this time, Gabi Hernandez is at the center of the storm. In a stunning turn of events, Gabi is preparing to leave town—and the reasons behind her departure are nothing short of explosive. At the heart of it all is none other than Vivian Alamain, a master manipulator whose shocking confession threatens to tear lives apart once again.

Vivian’s sudden release from Statesville has already raised eyebrows, but nothing could have prepared Gabi—or Salem—for what came next. Without missing a beat, Vivian dove right back into chaos, confronting Gabi with a revelation that left her reeling. In a moment that changed everything, Vivian coolly admitted she had kidnapped Stefan and faked his signature on divorce papers, orchestrating the entire downfall of Gabi and Stefan’s marriage from the shadows.

This bombshell shakes Gabi to her core. She had finally begun to heal, even opening her heart to JJ Deveraux. But hearing that Stefan never wanted to leave her—and that he was taken, drugged, and shipped off to Alamainia by Vivian’s loyal lackey Ivan—throws Gabi’s world into disarray. The betrayal is deep, and the pain is raw. For so long, she thought Stefan had moved on. Now, she realizes he was never given the chance to come back to her.

Vivian, ever smug and calculating, seems to relish Gabi’s anguish. She paints a cruel picture of Stefan’s emotional detachment, hinting he’s forgotten Gabi or worse—fallen for someone else. But Gabi refuses to believe that. Her connection with Stefan ran deeper than mere words or moments. Despite everything, she knows in her heart that love like theirs doesn’t just vanish.

Fueled by a mix of heartbreak, fury, and unshakable loyalty, Gabi makes a life-altering decision. Without hesitation, she ends her relationship with JJ, explaining that she can’t continue living a lie—not with Stefan possibly out there, in danger or worse. JJ, caught completely off guard, watches helplessly as Gabi walks away, her heart and mind consumed by a mission she can’t ignore.

Gabi’s decision to leave Salem isn’t a spur-of-the-moment choice. It’s a declaration. She won’t let Vivian’s schemes win. Determined to find Stefan and uncover the full extent of Vivian’s manipulation, Gabi sets her sights on Alamainia—no matter the risks, no matter the cost. Her departure is sudden and shocking to those closest to her, especially JJ, who’s left heartbroken and blindsided.

Meanwhile, back in Salem, the DiMera family is once again pulled into chaos. Stefan’s mysterious disappearance resurfaces as a hot topic, with family members beginning to question what really happened. Could Stefan return with no memory of Gabi? And if he does, will he be the same man she fell in love with—or someone entirely different, reshaped by trauma and control?

Vivian, true to form, remains unfazed. She thrives in turmoil, manipulating emotions and relationships like a puppeteer. Her motives remain unclear. Did she want Stefan gone simply to hurt Gabi? Or is there a deeper, more twisted agenda at play? Was Stefan subjected to some form of mental conditioning? Has he been brainwashed to forget Gabi entirely?

These are the questions tormenting Gabi as she races against time to rescue the man she never stopped loving. Her fierce spirit won’t allow her to give up—not now. This is more than a reunion. It’s a battle for truth, justice, and redemption. And if Vivian thinks she’s won, she’s sorely mistaken.

But Salem’s emotional upheaval doesn’t stop with Gabi. Across town, other families are reeling from their own heartbreaks. Chanel returns home bearing tea for her mother, only to be met with disappointment and anger. The tension between them is thick as Chanel’s mother confronts her about recent traumatic events—including her misplaced fear that she may have harmed someone. Chanel, overwhelmed by everything happening around her, especially Johnny’s emotional struggles, tries to reassure her mom that she’s simply lost and unsure of how to cope.

Later, Johnny returns from a visit to the hospital, visibly shaken. He’s just seen his father and is struggling to reconcile memories of love with the reality of past trauma. His raw emotions spill out as he grapples with the complicated nature of forgiveness, rage, and grief. Chanel offers comfort, reminding him that it’s okay to feel everything he’s feeling.

Meanwhile, their grandmother Paulina is waging a war of her own—this one in the legal system. Determined to see justice served, she’s working closely with the district attorney to press charges against the man who once hurt her family. Chanel tells Johnny that while nothing can undo the past, accountability is important—and Paulina won’t rest until justice is done.

Back at the hospital, Sami paces anxiously, waiting for updates on a loved one’s condition. Her worry is evident as she updates Sydney on the phone. When Johnny arrives, clearly needing space, Sami supports his need to process alone. It’s a quiet moment of understanding in the midst of so much turmoil.

As Salem braces for Gabi’s dramatic departure, her journey promises to be one of the most gripping storylines in Days of Our Lives history. Will she find Stefan? Can their love withstand the manipulations of a vengeful Vivian? And if Stefan returns, will he remember the woman who risked everything for him?

Stay tuned, because Salem is about to experience a seismic shift—and at the center of it is Gabi Hernandez: scorned, heartbroken, but never defeated. Her battle is just beginning.