Salem is heading into a volatile week, and Days of Our Lives is once again proving that no secret stays buried for long. As the week of January 19–23 unfolds,

alliances are forged in desperation, investigations take unexpected turns, and a seemingly harmless phone becomes a weapon capable of destroying lives.

With emotions running high and trust wearing thin, the ripple effects of these storylines threaten to upend multiple relationships across town.

At the center of the chaos are Leo Stark, whose love life pushes him toward a morally questionable decision; Rafe Hernandez, who finds himself chasing a tip that could crack open a dangerous mystery; and Sophia Choi, whose manipulative streak continues to widen the fallout—placing an innocent child squarely in the line of fire.

Leo Stark Crosses a Line to Protect His Heart

Leo Stark has never been a stranger to drama, but this week, his choices could permanently alter his future. What should have been a hopeful chapter with Javi Hernandez has instead become a minefield, thanks to the relentless reappearance of Dimitri von Leuschner. Dimitri’s presence alone is enough to destabilize Leo’s carefully rebuilt life, and the tension is impossible to ignore.

While there is no denying that old feelings still linger, Leo has made it clear—at least to himself—that his future belongs with Javi. Dimitri represents a past filled with manipulation, chaos, and heartbreak, and Leo is determined not to repeat those mistakes. Yet wanting a clean break and achieving one are two very different things.

Javi, still carrying scars from past betrayals, is far from reassured. He needs certainty, not promises. The fear that Leo could be pulled back into Dimitri’s orbit eats away at him, and every exaggerated story and smug interruption from Dimitri deepens that insecurity. Leo finds himself trapped between honesty and fear—wanting to protect the man he loves without admitting how dangerous the situation has become.

With Dimitri refusing to fade quietly into the background, Leo makes a shocking decision. In a moment of desperation, he turns to Gwen, proposing an alliance that is as risky as it is morally murky. The request is simple on the surface but chilling in its implications: make Dimitri disappear. Whether that means exposing him, framing him, or something darker remains unclear, but one thing is certain—Leo is stepping onto a path he may not be able to walk back from.

This alliance threatens not only Leo’s integrity but also his relationship with Javi. If the truth comes out, Leo could lose everything he’s trying to protect.

Sophia Choi’s Phone Becomes a Weapon

Across Salem, another dangerous game is unfolding—one that begins with a stolen phone and spirals into manipulation and misplaced blame. Sophia Choi has already proven she knows how to bend situations to her advantage, and this week, her scheming reaches a new level.

After convincing young Rachel Black to steal from her own father, Brady Black, Sophia escalates the deception by using Rachel as cover during bed checks, allowing her to sneak out and purchase a phone. The act itself is bad enough, but it’s the calculated ease with which Sophia pulls the strings that raises serious alarms.

Ari Horton nearly exposes the scheme when she spots Sophia out and calls after her. In a moment that underscores just how cold and confident Sophia has become, she doesn’t even hesitate—she simply keeps walking, leaving Ari confused and suspicious.

Back home, the pressure mounts as Brady questions Rachel about the missing money. Rachel’s guilt is palpable, yet her loyalty to Sophia—and her fear—keeps her silent. When the two later celebrate their success, it becomes disturbingly clear that Sophia sees Rachel not as a friend, but as a shield.

With the phone now in her possession, Sophia appears ready to unleash chaos. Spoilers hint that she may use it to play psychological games, possibly targeting couples already under strain. Johnny and Chanel, or Tate and Holly, could soon find themselves caught in the crossfire of anonymous messages, staged misunderstandings, or outright sabotage.

The most troubling part? Rachel is the most likely scapegoat. If the phone games spiral out of control, all signs could point back to Brady’s daughter, leaving her to shoulder the consequences of a scheme she never truly controlled.

Rafe Hernandez Follows a Lead That Could Change Everything

Meanwhile, Rafe Hernandez finds himself inching closer to answers—though those answers may raise more questions than they resolve. Still uneasy about Dimitri’s kidnapping story, Rafe hasn’t been able to shake the feeling that something doesn’t add up.

That instinct intensifies when Johnny DiMera provides him with a crucial tip. While details remain under wraps, the information is compelling enough to send Rafe digging deeper. As a seasoned investigator, Rafe knows that the smallest inconsistency can unravel an entire narrative, and Dimitri’s story is riddled with them.

Following up on Johnny’s lead could finally expose the truth behind Dimitri’s claims—or it could entangle Rafe in a web far more dangerous than anticipated. With Leo secretly plotting and Dimitri lurking on the edges of multiple lives, Rafe’s pursuit of the truth may place him directly in harm’s way.

The question looming over Salem is whether Rafe will uncover a breakthrough or stumble into a trap designed to silence him.

A Stalker, a Trap, and the Threat of Disappearance

Elsewhere, tension continues to mount as Stephanie Johnson moves forward with a risky plan designed to flush out her stalker. The strategy promises answers, but it also carries serious danger. When predators feel cornered, they often strike hardest.

As the plan unfolds, concerns grow that Stephanie herself—or Alex Kiriakis—could become collateral damage. A sudden disappearance would not only escalate the threat level but send shockwaves through Salem, forcing friends and family to confront just how real the danger has become.

A Week That Could Redefine Salem

The week of January 19–23 is shaping up to be one of Days of Our Lives’ most consequential stretches in recent memory. Leo’s choice to form an evil alliance may secure his happiness—or destroy it. Sophia’s manipulations threaten to ruin lives far beyond her own, with Rachel standing dangerously close to the fallout. Rafe’s investigation could expose long-buried truths, even as it places him in escalating peril.

In Salem, every secret has a cost, and this week, the bill is coming due. As alliances shift, lies deepen, and innocence hangs in the balance, one thing is certain: by the end of the week, nothing—and no one—will be the same.