As fall sweeps into Salem, Days of Our Lives is preparing to unleash a storm of shocking revelations, fractured loyalties, and explosive confrontations that will keep fans glued to their screens. Between September 15 and September 26,

the next ten episodes promise six major plot twists that could permanently alter the fates of beloved characters. Betrayals will cut deep, family secrets will resurface, and battles for love and power

will reach fever pitch. Here’s an in-depth look at the six storylines that will dominate Salem in the coming weeks.

1. Xander, Sarah, and Philip: A Birthday Party Becomes a Battlefield

Victoria Kiriakis’s birthday party is supposed to be a celebration, but instead it becomes the stage for one of the most emotional clashes in recent memory. Sarah witnesses a different, deeply vulnerable side of Xander as he bonds with their daughter, reigniting emotions she has tried to bury. Yet standing between them is Philip, Salem’s master manipulator.

Philip has been weaving a dangerous web of lies, allowing Sarah to believe Xander attacked him when, in truth, he didn’t. With every carefully chosen word, Philip is poisoning Sarah’s view of her ex-husband. His goal? To destroy any chance of reconciliation and secure Sarah’s affection for himself.

As Sarah begins to sense cracks in Philip’s story, she faces an impossible choice: cling to her pride or beg Xander for forgiveness. Meanwhile, Xander’s heart hangs in the balance, torn between his longing for Sarah and the fear that trusting her again could end in devastation. This love triangle is set to explode, and the fallout will reverberate far beyond the Kiriakis mansion.

2. Tate’s Dangerous Game: Seduction as Strategy

Tate Black’s relationship with Holly Jonas has always been passionate, but after a heated fight, Tate hatches a shocking plan that could put everything at risk. To uncover the truth about a mysterious adoption case, he pretends to be romantically interested in Sophia Choi.

Inviting Sophia into his dorm room, Tate shares a kiss with her—a calculated move designed to lure out her secrets. But Salem’s games of deception rarely end neatly. While Tate justifies his actions as strategy, the emotional cost is undeniable.

Ari Horton, ever the peacemaker, watches with growing concern. She sees how deeply Tate and Holly still care for one another, and she refuses to let Sophia’s manipulations destroy them. Ari quietly begins maneuvering behind the scenes, hoping to guide her friends back to each other before Tate’s risky plan blows up in his face.

3. The DNA Test That Could Destroy Families

In one of the most suspenseful arcs of the season, Ray Fernandez delivers a DNA sample belonging to Tazoro in a tense meeting with Steve Johnson. Steve immediately understands the explosive potential of this evidence and turns to Kayla for help.

Kayla reluctantly agrees to run a secret DNA comparison between Tazoro, Tate, and even Brady Black. The test is fraught with ethical dilemmas, but its results could unravel decades of family history.

As Kayla works in the shadows, the looming question becomes whether Melinda Trask will use her political influence to tamper with the outcome. The results of this test could shatter relationships, expose long-buried secrets, and forever alter Salem’s family tree.

4. Titan vs. DiMera: A Corporate War With Personal Consequences

What begins as a routine press conference soon escalates into open war. Tony DiMera shocks Salem by announcing a lawsuit against Titan, accusing them of attempting a hostile takeover of DiMera Enterprises. For Tony, this isn’t just about money—it’s about protecting his family’s legacy.

Behind closed doors, Tony issues a final deal to Philip and Xander, but the terms are brutal, leaving both men at a crossroads. Meanwhile, the fallout spills into Alex Kiriakis and Stephanie Johnson’s relationship. Their heated argument over the business conflict quickly shifts to something far more personal.

Realizing he may lose Stephanie forever, Alex makes a bold move: he asks her to move in with him. It’s a gamble that could either strengthen their bond or expose cracks they’ve been trying to ignore.

5. Cat Green’s Dangerous Dance With EJ and Chad

Cat Green continues to play a dangerous game as she positions herself closer to EJ DiMera. What begins as casual conversation transforms into something far riskier as she begins to see a softer, vulnerable side of EJ that few have witnessed. Could her heart betray her mission?

At the same time, Chad DiMera struggles with the changes Cat’s presence has brought into his life. In a heart-to-heart with Theo Carver, Chad admits he isn’t sure what his true feelings are. The most poignant moment comes when Thomas, with childlike honesty, asks if Cat is meant to replace his late mother, Abigail. Chad reassures his son that no one could ever replace Abigail, but privately, he wonders if Cat has already claimed more of his heart than he intended.

This storyline is setting up a deeply emotional conflict—one that may force Chad to choose between honoring the past and embracing the future.

6. Warnings, Regrets, and New Beginnings: JJ, Jada, and Brady

JJ Deveraux finds himself haunted by his past as Theo Carver delivers a grave warning to Jada Hunter. Years ago, JJ accidentally shot Theo, a wound that has never fully healed. Now that JJ is back on the force, Theo fears history could repeat itself, raising questions about JJ’s judgment under pressure.

Meanwhile, JJ seeks redemption by reaching out to Gabi Hernandez. Could this unexpected apology blossom into friendship—or even romance?

Brady Black is also at a crossroads. Tired of endless corporate wars, he contemplates leaving Titan behind and embracing a career as a private investigator, a role that plays to his instincts. Yet as Brady tries to find his new path, he faces an even greater challenge at home. His daughter, Rachel, is becoming increasingly rebellious, her friendship with mischievous Thomas DiMera sparking fears of trouble ahead.

As if Salem weren’t chaotic enough, Chanel Dupree uses Paulina Price’s influence to fast-track her and Johnny’s adoption of Tazoro. But with the DNA results still looming, the truth of Tazoro’s real parentage could shatter every plan in motion.

The Custody Battle That Could Tear Salem Apart

Layered within these six storylines is a custody battle destined to divide the entire town. Johnny and Chanel square off against Leo and Javi, each determined to adopt baby Tazoro. What no one realizes is that the boy’s biological parents are Tate and Sophia—a truth that, once revealed, could upend everything.

Leo and Javi long for redemption and a second chance at family, while Johnny and Chanel rely on power and privilege to secure their claim. Both couples have compelling cases, but both carry shadows from their pasts that could undermine them.

In true Salem fashion, this battle is not just about who raises a child—it’s about identity, loyalty, and the painful consequences of secrets too long kept hidden.

The Bottom Line: Salem on the Brink

The next ten episodes of Days of Our Lives will be nothing short of explosive. From love triangles and corporate wars to DNA secrets and custody battles, the fabric of Salem is about to be stretched to its breaking point. Friendships will fracture, romances will implode, and the truth will emerge in devastating fashion.

As fans know all too well, secrets never stay buried in Salem. The only question is: who will be left standing when the dust settles?