The streets of Salem are once again crackling with tension as heartbreak, secrets, and betrayals rise to the surface. The week of September 8–12, 2025, promises a storm of revelations that will shake families to their core.

From DNA tests and adoption battles to emotional reunions and heartbreaking confessions, Days of Our Lives continues to weave its intricate web of love, lies, and loyalty.

Julie and Maggie: Wisdom in the Wake of Loss

This week opens with a poignant meeting between two of Salem’s most enduring matriarchs—Julie Williams and Maggie Kiriakis. Both women are grappling with devastating loss. Julie, still mourning the passing of Doug, carries the grief of losing her life partner. Maggie, with her trademark quiet grace, faces the silence left behind by Victor’s absence, his commanding presence once the heartbeat of the Kiriakis legacy.

But instead of drowning in despair, these two women reflect on resilience. In their shared grief, they find strength, reminding Salem—and the audience—that survival is not about escaping heartbreak but enduring it. Their conversation becomes a living warning for the younger generation, who are about to plunge into dangerous waters of adoption battles, hidden paternity, and treacherous romances.

Julie and Maggie’s quiet wisdom is the calm before the storm—a chilling reminder that Salem’s peace is always fleeting.

Baby Tessero’s Future Hangs in the Balance

The question of baby Tessero’s parentage and future continues to dominate Salem. Javi Hernandez, full of determination and hope, shares an animated conversation with the ever-dramatic Leo Stark. Over coffee, Leo gleefully remarks that adoption interest in Tessero will skyrocket now that the waiting period is over. His words may be lighthearted, but they underscore a brewing storm: Tessero is more than an innocent child—he is a symbol of secrets, power, and deception.

For Javi, Tessero represents hope. For Leo, Tessero is another juicy storyline to stir the pot. But history has shown Salem that adoption is never simple. It’s a battlefield, where motives range from love and stability to manipulation and control. As whispers swirl, it’s clear that Tessero is at the center of a fight that could entangle multiple families, leaving scars that last for generations.

Chanel’s Dream, Johnny’s Doubts

In a more intimate corner of Salem, Chanel Dupree-DiMera pours her heart out to her husband, Johnny DiMera. Chanel longs to adopt Tessero, seeing him as more than just a child—he represents the stability and family she has fought so hard to build. Her vision of motherhood is filled with holiday mornings, bedtime stories, and the security she’s craved after years of uncertainty.

Johnny, however, sees the danger. As a DiMera, he knows that adopting Tessero could drag them into the web of rivalries, secrets, and power struggles that plague his family’s name. Chanel’s youthful optimism collides with Johnny’s pragmatic caution, setting the stage for one of the week’s most emotionally charged conflicts.

Will Johnny embrace Chanel’s dream, or will his hesitation fracture their marriage before it truly begins? Either way, Tessero is the key to their future—and possibly their undoing.

Brady and Steve Dig Into Sophia’s Lies

Meanwhile, Brady Black is haunted by questions about Tessero’s origins. For weeks, Brady has insisted that Sophia Choi couldn’t possibly be the baby’s mother. But now, unsettling evidence suggests she may have carried out her most dangerous deception yet—concealing an entire pregnancy from the world.

Brady’s growing doubts bring him to Steve Johnson, whose sharp instincts and investigative drive add fuel to the mystery. Together, they begin piecing together the puzzle of Sophia’s lies, only to find more questions than answers. If Tessero truly is Sophia’s child, then the scale of her manipulation is unprecedented, even for Salem.

Rafe’s DNA Test: A Bomb Waiting to Explode

Enter Rafe Hernandez, who prepares to conduct a DNA swab on Tessero. For most towns, science would settle the matter once and for all. But this is Salem. DNA results here are never straightforward—they’re swapped, tampered with, or delayed by those desperate to protect their secrets.

As Rafe moves forward, fans know the results won’t just reveal the truth—they’ll ignite a new explosion of lies, manipulation, and betrayal. Tessero’s DNA test is less about clarity and more about who will seize control of the narrative when the results are revealed—or twisted.

Rachel’s Heartbreak: A Daughter in Crisis

While Tessero’s fate grips Salem, another heartbreaking story unfolds. Rachel Black learns that her mother, Kristen DiMera, has been sentenced to six years in prison. The weight of the news crushes her young spirit. Instead of carefree childhood days, Rachel is consumed by guilt, convinced she somehow played a role in her mother’s downfall.

In a tender, devastating moment, Rachel confides her fears to Holly Jonas, admitting her confusion and shame. Salem’s cruel legacy is once again clear—children often inherit the sins of their parents.

Rachel’s anguish leads her to make a desperate choice: visiting Kristen at Statesville. The prison visit is raw and emotional, peeling back layers of Kristen’s icy façade. For perhaps the first time, Kristen faces punishment not from the law, but from her daughter’s wounded eyes. Her greatest pain is not the prison bars—it’s the loss of her daughter’s innocence and trust.

Theo’s Return and Tony’s Proposal

The week closes with intrigue at the DiMera mansion. Tony DiMera welcomes his nephew Theo Carver home with warmth, but his motives are far from innocent. Tony has summoned Theo for a proposal, one shrouded in secrecy and ambition.

Theo, long regarded as the voice of reason in a family defined by treachery, treads carefully. His return could be a chance for reconnection, but Tony’s request threatens to pull him deeper into the DiMera orbit—a place few escape unscathed.

Theo’s choice is fraught with danger: accept Tony’s scheme and risk losing his integrity, or refuse and alienate his family. Either way, his decision could shift the balance of power in Salem’s most infamous dynasty.

A Week of Explosive Drama

As September 8–12 unfolds, Days of Our Lives delivers a perfect storm of drama. Julie and Maggie’s reflections remind viewers of Salem’s enduring resilience. Chanel’s dream of motherhood collides with Johnny’s fears. Brady and Steve dig into Sophia’s dangerous secrets. Rafe sets the stage for a DNA test that could shatter lives. Rachel confronts the heartbreaking weight of her family’s sins. And Theo faces a DiMera choice with lasting consequences.

One thing is clear: every answer in Salem only opens the door to more chaos. Will Rafe’s DNA swab uncover the truth—or unleash another wave of lies? Will Chanel and Johnny’s marriage survive the strain of Tessero’s adoption? And how far will Rachel go to hold on to her mother?