Salem is no stranger to jaw-dropping twists, but the spoilers for Days of Our Lives during the week of December 15–19 promise a storyline so emotionally charged it could permanently reshape

one of the show’s most beloved young couples. At the center of the storm is Chanel Dupri DiMera, whose long-awaited dream of motherhood is about to collide with fear, guilt,

and an agonizing moral dilemma that threatens to tear her family apart. Just when Chanel and Johnny DiMera believed their future was finally settling into place—marriage intact,

careers thriving, and adoption papers nearly dry—the universe delivers a seismic shock: Chanel is pregnant. On paper, it should be a miracle. In reality, it’s a narrative grenade lobbed directly into the heart of their fragile happiness.

A Pregnancy Reveal That Changes Everything

This is not a typical soap opera baby reveal complete with tears of joy and celebratory embraces. The weight of the moment is underscored by who delivers the news: Dr. Sarah Horton. That choice is no coincidence. Sarah’s own history is deeply scarred by baby swaps, devastating losses, and motherhood ripped away from her more than once. When she looks Chanel in the eye and confirms the pregnancy, the scene carries an emotional gravity that goes far beyond a routine medical update.

Sarah understands better than anyone how fragile hope can be. Her presence signals immediately that this pregnancy will not be simple, safe, or celebratory. Instead, it arrives wrapped in dread, unanswered questions, and consequences that no one is prepared to face.

The Adoption That Makes This So Much Worse

What transforms this storyline from surprising to explosive is timing. Chanel and Johnny have just endured an emotional marathon to adopt baby Trey. This wasn’t an impulsive decision—it was a hard-fought journey filled with uncertainty, vulnerability, and the conscious choice to love a child who is not biologically theirs.

Now, with a biological child on the way, Chanel is forced to confront fears many adoptive parents are ashamed to admit out loud. Will her heart change? Will Johnny’s change?

Johnny DiMera may be progressive, loving, and devoted—but he is still a DiMera. Legacy is practically coded into his DNA. The unspoken terror haunting Chanel is whether Johnny might unconsciously favor a child who carries the DiMera bloodline. Not because he’s cruel, but because Salem history suggests that legacy has a way of overshadowing even the purest intentions.

That fear—the idea of hierarchy between children—is the true “monster” lurking beneath this storyline.

Could Chanel Give Trey Back?

The most shocking question raised by the spoilers is almost unthinkable: could Chanel return Trey to his biological parents, Aaron and Sophia?

On the surface, the idea feels like character assassination. Chanel has grown tremendously, evolving from a spoiled socialite into a compassionate, fiercely loving woman. Handing back an adopted child would risk undoing years of that development.

But panic doesn’t follow logic. Chanel and Johnny are young, ambitious, and already stretched thin. A newborn, an adopted infant, a business to run, and a marriage under pressure could feel overwhelming—especially to someone already prone to anxiety.

Still, a more likely—and far more devastating—scenario may involve Aaron and Sophia. If they sense Chanel’s fear, stress, or medical risk, they might step in, convinced their child would be safer elsewhere. The terror of being replaced isn’t limited to adoptive parents; birth parents feel it too. That mutual insecurity could ignite a custody nightmare where Chanel feels she must constantly prove she deserves Trey—until she collapses under the pressure.

The Radiation Factor: From Drama to Horror

Just when the emotional stakes couldn’t get higher, the storyline veers into medical thriller territory. Chanel’s pregnancy is now complicated by radiation exposure stemming from her close proximity to Paulina during cancer treatment. What was once a testament to the powerful bond between mother and daughter becomes a source of unimaginable guilt.

Paulina Price, a woman defined by her strength and survival, may now believe that saving her own life has endangered her grandchild’s. The psychological toll on Paulina could be devastating. Every glance at Chanel’s growing belly may feel like a reminder of her “poison,” pushing her toward a breakdown fueled by self-blame and fear.

Sarah Horton must now explain the unthinkable: potential birth defects, developmental challenges, or even a life-threatening pregnancy for Chanel herself.

The Unspoken Word: Abortion

Few words carry as much weight in daytime television as “abortion,” and yet it hangs heavily over this storyline. Chanel’s dilemma is not rooted in lack of love—it’s rooted in responsibility. Is it cruel to bring a child into the world knowing they may suffer? Is it selfish to risk her own life when Trey already needs her?

This is where conflict with Johnny seems inevitable. Johnny, the eternal optimist, is likely to cling to hope with near-delusional faith. Love will fix everything. The DiMeras always survive. Chanel, however, is the one carrying the physical and emotional burden. That fundamental divide—idealism versus reality—could fracture their marriage more deeply than any affair ever could.

Paulina’s Shocking Role

In a stunning twist, Paulina herself could become the voice pushing Chanel toward termination—not out of cruelty, but out of fierce maternal protection. If Paulina believes Chanel’s life is at risk, she may prioritize her daughter over an unborn child, placing her in direct opposition to Johnny and possibly even Abe. The fallout would ripple through the entire Price-Carver-DiMera family, turning once-loving dinners into battlegrounds of grief and accusation.

Sarah Horton: The Emotional Anchor

Sarah’s role extends far beyond medicine. With her history of loss, she may become Chanel’s confidant—the one person she can be honest with. Chanel can’t confide fully in Paulina without triggering guilt, and she can’t unburden herself to Johnny without facing pressure. Sarah represents empathy without judgment, setting the stage for deeply emotional, award-worthy scenes.

A Future Defined by Consequences

There’s also the looming specter of miscarriage. Under this level of stress, Chanel’s body may make the decision for her. Such a loss would not bring relief—only crushing guilt. Chanel might blame herself for her doubts, interpreting tragedy as punishment for even questioning whether she wanted this baby.

And if Trey is taken away—not by choice, but by authorities questioning their stability—the devastation would unite Chanel and Johnny against a common enemy, reframing the narrative around resilience rather than shame.

What Comes Next?

This December week is only the beginning. Chanel’s pregnancy isn’t just a plot twist—it’s a reckoning. The storyline dares to ask what motherhood truly means. Is it biology? Choice? Sacrifice? Or the willingness to love fiercely even when the cost is unbearable?

As Days of Our Lives pushes Chanel Dupri DiMera to her breaking point, one thing is clear: this is Raven Bowens’ moment to shine. The emotional complexity, moral ambiguity, and raw vulnerability of this arc could redefine the next generation of Salem power couples.