Salem is reeling after one of the most explosive episodes of Days of Our Lives in recent memory, as long-buried secrets claw their way to the surface and

a sinister mastermind is finally exposed. The February 5, 2026 episode delivers shock after shock—redefining alliances, rewriting histories, and setting

the stage for returns that could permanently alter the DiMera legacy. At the center of the chaos is a revelation that sends tremors through the town:

Vivian Alamain was never a bystander in the DiMera family’s recent tragedies. She was the architect.

Vivian’s Web of Lies Begins to Collapse

Rafe Hernandez and Eli Grant arrive in Alamainia determined to untangle the mystery surrounding Dmitri von Leuschner and the alleged death of Stefan DiMera. What they encounter instead is a masterclass in manipulation. Vivian spins a convincing tale of grief, vulnerability, and betrayal—claiming Dmitri exploited her while she mourned Stefan, only to be cast out once she could no longer tolerate him.

At first glance, her story appears airtight. Staff members corroborate her claims. Even Nicholas DiMera backs her version of events. But Rafe’s instincts refuse to settle. Something doesn’t add up—and he knows it.

The breakthrough comes from an unexpected source: Lydia Bower, a former Alamain employee fired under suspicious circumstances. Nervous but resolute, Lydia reveals the truth—Dmitri was never held captive. The real prisoner was Stefan DiMera.

Stefan, alive and isolated, had been held under constant surveillance. Allowed to walk freely within the estate but forbidden from contacting the outside world, his captivity was calculated, methodical, and devastating. Vivian didn’t just separate Stefan from Salem—she erased him.

The DiMera Kidnappings: A Sinister Alliance Exposed

Meanwhile, another piece of the puzzle snaps into place back in Salem. Liam confesses his role in Theo Carver’s kidnapping, revealing that he was hired by a scar-faced enforcer whose identity sends chills down Rafe’s spine. The sketch artist’s rendering is unmistakable—it’s Vivian’s man.

The truth becomes unavoidable: Peter DiMera didn’t act alone when he orchestrated the crypt massacre. He was guided, supported, and empowered by Vivian herself.

Flashbacks reveal Peter’s twisted logic. After discovering Stefan’s apparent death, Peter decided the entire DiMera bloodline had to be erased. Inspired by Vivian’s obsession with burying her enemies alive, he entombed the family together—an act of symbolic annihilation. But now it’s clear that Vivian wasn’t merely an influence. She was a co-conspirator.

Gabby’s World Shatters—Again

As Rafe prepares to return to Salem, he carries devastating news for Gabby Hernandez. The man she never stopped loving didn’t abandon her. He was taken from her.

Gabby reels as she learns how far Vivian went to keep Stefan away from her. Every unanswered message, every night of heartbreak, every step she took toward healing—built on a lie. Worse still, forensic evidence appears to confirm Stefan’s death… evidence Rafe suspects has been manipulated.

Vivian’s confidence is chilling. She believes falsified DNA results will permanently close the case. With identical twins in play, deception is disturbingly easy. The question haunting Salem now isn’t whether Stefan is alive—it’s when he’ll return.

And when he does, the consequences will be catastrophic.

Love, Lies, and Valentine’s Day Deception

As secrets unravel, romance complicates everything. Philip Kiriakis surprises Gabby with a Valentine’s getaway to Miami, hinting at a proposal that could change her future. But beneath the affection lies tension. Gabby is hiding her role in Titan’s corporate sabotage, and the truth threatens to destroy their fragile happiness.

Elsewhere, Stefan’s absence casts long shadows. If he’s alive, Gabby may still be legally married to him—his divorce papers forged, his fate stolen. Salem is bracing for a love triangle unlike any before.

The DiMera Memorial: A Powder Keg Waiting to Explode

As the family gathers to honor Stefano DiMera, unity is little more than an illusion. Chad urges EJ and Kristen to put aside their war—if only long enough to bury their father. But old wounds fester beneath the surface.

EJ steps into his role as patriarch, symbolized by Stefano’s iconic Phoenix ring. Yet his rise comes with vulnerability. Cat Greene edges closer, her attraction undeniable—but her secret alliance with the ISA threatens everything. Gwen Rizczech, meanwhile, connects with EJ in quieter, more dangerous ways—offering empathy where others bring suspicion.

The memorial looms large, and with it the threat that devastating truths—especially those tied to Lexi Carver’s death—may finally come to light.

Theo Carver and the Secret That Could Break Him

Theo has been shielded from the full truth about his mother’s death for years. Abe and Paulina believe revealing Stefano’s indirect role would do irreparable harm. But secrets don’t stay buried in Salem—especially not when resurrection is on the table.

All signs point to Lexi Carver being the mysterious figure preserved in Dr. Wilhelm Rolf’s cryogenic chamber. If she returns, the emotional fallout will be seismic. Forgiveness, grief, and betrayal will collide as Theo learns the truth—not from whispers, but from his mother herself.

Vivian’s Endgame Is Just Beginning

Despite mounting evidence, Vivian remains chillingly calm. She believes no one can trace the kidnappings back to her. But Salem has learned one thing: when Vivian Alamain smiles, someone’s life is about to be destroyed.

With Stefan’s return looming, alliances shifting, and February sweeps in full force, Days of Our Lives is hurtling toward a reckoning unlike any other. Love will be tested. Families will fracture. And the past—long buried—will demand its revenge.