Salem is no stranger to manipulation, obsession, and morally questionable schemes, but Days of Our Lives appears to be pushing those boundaries once again

with a storyline that could permanently reshape the canvas. Whispers spreading through town suggest that Gwen Rizczech has devised her most daring, emotional,

and potentially irreversible strategy yet to secure Xander Kiriakis forever. And if the rumors prove true, the weapon she plans to use is as powerful as it is life-altering: a baby.

This is not a spontaneous act of passion or a romantic fairy tale gone wrong. According to mounting clues, Gwen’s plan is calculated, strategic, and deeply rooted in her understanding of Xander’s vulnerabilities. At a time when Xander is emotionally fractured, grieving the life he lost with Sarah Horton and separated from the child he considered his own, Gwen may see motherhood as the ultimate tether — one that binds Xander to her in ways no apology, promise, or confession ever could.

Xander Kiriakis: A Man Unraveling

To grasp the full weight of Gwen’s alleged plan, one must first understand the emotional state Xander currently inhabits. Once known as a ruthless enforcer with little regard for consequences, Xander’s transformation into a devoted partner and father figure was one of the most compelling arcs in recent DOOL history. His love for Sarah Horton grounded him, while his bond with baby Victoria gave him purpose and identity.

Losing Sarah was devastating, but losing his daily life with Victoria cut even deeper. Though not Victoria’s biological father, Xander embraced the role wholeheartedly, proving that family to him is defined by love, not blood. When circumstances forced him to step back and relinquish his role in Victoria’s life to preserve peace, he made the choice quietly and with heartbreaking dignity.

Now, Xander exists in a hollow space. His apartment is silent. The routines of fatherhood are gone. He watches from the sidelines as Sarah grows closer to Brady Black, attempting to convince himself that letting her go is an act of love. But that selflessness has left him isolated, grieving not just a relationship, but an entire future he once believed was secure.

It is precisely this emotional emptiness that makes Xander dangerously vulnerable.

Gwen’s Opportunity: Familiar Comfort, Calculated Intent

Enter Gwen Rizczech — a woman who has always thrived in chaos and survived through adaptability rather than morality. Gwen has never pretended to be virtuous. She understands darkness because she has lived in it, and she has always accepted the darker parts of Xander that others tried to erase.

Spoilers suggest that as Xander attempts to move forward, he won’t find solace in solitude. Instead, he will circle back to Gwen. For him, this reconnection may be nothing more than a familiar escape — a moment of comfort amid grief, a physical release from emotional pain. But for Gwen, this reconnection could mark the beginning of a long game.

In Salem, intimacy between former lovers is rarely without consequences. Gwen knows this. She understands that if she can transition from being Xander’s ex to the mother of his child, the power dynamic shifts instantly. She stops being a mistake and becomes a permanent presence.

Why a Baby Changes Everything

A pregnancy would be Gwen’s ultimate checkmate, and she knows it. Xander Kiriakis is fiercely loyal to his family. Despite his history of questionable choices, he has always shown unwavering devotion to those he considers his own. If Gwen were carrying his biological child, walking away would not be an option for him — not emotionally, not morally.

Gwen is betting on Xander’s honor outweighing his lingering love for Sarah. A baby would force him to show up, to protect, to build something stable — even if his heart remains conflicted. It would also create an insurmountable barrier between Xander and Sarah. Forgiveness might be possible, but rebuilding a romance while Xander is raising a child with Gwen would be nearly impossible.

In Gwen’s mind, a baby doesn’t just secure Xander’s presence. It rewrites the future.

Motivation Beyond Love

While Gwen’s obsession with Xander is deeply emotional, it would be naive to ignore the practical motivations behind such a move. Gwen has lost access to the wealth and security she once believed she could rely on. With Dmitri von Leuschner’s fortune no longer within reach, her future looks uncertain.

Xander, despite his own struggles at Titan, still represents power, legacy, and stability. Becoming the mother of a Kiriakis heir would guarantee Gwen financial security and social standing in Salem — transforming her from pariah to indispensable figure overnight.

There is also the emotional scar Gwen has never fully healed from: the loss of her unborn child with Chad DiMera. That miscarriage shattered her, leaving behind a grief she has buried rather than processed. In her twisted logic, motherhood with Xander could feel like fate correcting a cruel wrong — a second chance she believes she deserves.

A Family Built on Fragile Ground

If Gwen succeeds, the consequences will ripple far beyond the couple themselves. Xander would almost certainly try to do the right thing, committing to Gwen for the sake of the child while struggling internally with unresolved feelings for Sarah. Gwen, meanwhile, would be forced to confront the reality that winning Xander’s loyalty does not guarantee his love.

Sarah Horton would face her own reckoning, watching the man she once believed was her future build a new life with her rival. The emotional fallout could redefine relationships across Salem, fueling resentment, guilt, and heartbreak for years to come.

Quiet Days, Lasting Damage

Against this looming storm, Salem has also been navigating quieter but equally powerful emotional terrain. Marlena Evans, though physically cleared by Sarah Horton, continues to grieve the loss of John. Her admission that she no longer feels like herself underscores a central theme running through these storylines: healing is not linear, and emotional wounds do not fade simply because time passes.

Brady Black, meanwhile, is juggling his own turmoil — navigating his feelings for Sarah while confronting serious concerns about Rachel’s behavior alongside Kristen DiMera. Parenting disagreements, unresolved history, and emotional exhaustion are colliding, reminding viewers that even moments without explosive drama can leave lasting scars.

What Comes Next?

As Days of Our Lives moves forward, Gwen’s alleged plan stands poised to ignite one of the most emotionally complex arcs Salem has seen in years. A baby conceived in desperation, born of grief and manipulation, could reshape the Kiriakis legacy and redefine multiple lives.

The question remains: will Gwen’s gamble bring her the family she craves, or will it expose the fragile foundation of a love built on loss and control?