Salem is bracing for one of its most explosive weeks yet. The latest preview for Days of Our Lives teases an escalation that will leave multiple lives hanging in the balance —

and relationships tested in ways no one saw coming. From a chilling abduction to psychological manipulation involving a child, the drama unfolding February 23–27 promises

high emotional stakes and shocking twists. At the center of the chaos? Stephanie Johnson.

Stephanie’s Nightmare Begins

What started as an unsettling stalking situation spirals into full-blown terror this week. Stephanie (Abigail Klein) has been living under the shadow of a mysterious threat, and now that danger has finally stepped out of the darkness.

In a heart-stopping moment at the hospital, Stephanie senses someone behind her — but it’s too late. A figure in medical scrubs creeps closer before pressing a chloroform-soaked cloth over her face. Within seconds, she collapses.

Later, viewers see her bound to a chair in a dim storage room, gagged and unconscious. The imagery is haunting, and the implications are dire. Whoever has taken Stephanie isn’t playing games anymore. This is calculated, deliberate, and deeply personal.

Suspicion immediately falls on Jeremy (Michael Roark), the prime suspect in her stalking case. But is it that simple?

Marlena’s Doubt Changes Everything

As the investigation intensifies, Marlena (Deidre Hall) and Kayla (Mary Beth Evans) weigh the evidence against Jeremy. While Jeremy’s recent behavior has raised red flags, Marlena delivers a stunning assessment: he doesn’t fit the psychological profile of someone capable of kidnapping Stephanie.

That revelation sends shockwaves through Kayla — and potentially the entire case.

Marlena’s expertise has rarely been wrong. If Jeremy isn’t the mastermind behind the stalking and abduction, then someone far more cunning may be orchestrating events from behind the scenes. Her doubt introduces a terrifying possibility: the real culprit is still hiding in plain sight.

Meanwhile, Jeremy is seen wearing a dark hoodie and lurking ominously, a visual that seems designed to incriminate him. But in Salem, appearances are rarely what they seem.

Alex Reaches His Breaking Point

No one is more shaken by Stephanie’s disappearance than Alex (Robert Scott Wilson). His anguish quickly turns into rage as he confronts Jeremy, issuing a chilling warning:

“If you lay a finger on Stephanie’s head, I swear to God I will kill you.”

Alex’s threat underscores just how personal this crisis has become. He isn’t thinking strategically — he’s reacting emotionally. And in Salem, emotion-fueled decisions often lead to catastrophic consequences.

If Jeremy is innocent, Alex’s aggression could complicate the investigation. But if he’s guilty, the confrontation could ignite a dangerous showdown.

Either way, Stephanie’s fate hangs in the balance.

Sophia’s Dangerous Game with Rachel

While Stephanie fights for survival, another sinister storyline unfolds — this one psychological rather than physical.

Sophia (Rachel Boyd) may no longer share a room with Rachel (Alice Halsey) at Bayview Sanitarium, but distance hasn’t weakened her influence. In fact, it may have made her more strategic.

Sophia calls Rachel with a strange request: deliver a gift to Holly (Ashley Puzemis), but don’t reveal who it’s from.

Rachel is confused but intrigued. Why the secrecy? Why involve her at all?

Sophia’s manipulation of a vulnerable child is deeply unsettling. She understands Rachel’s insecurities and uses them to plant seeds of doubt and mischief. The gift to Holly could be harmless — or it could be a calculated move designed to fracture relationships and spark chaos.

Sophia’s ability to operate from the shadows makes her particularly dangerous. Unlike Stephanie’s stalker, she doesn’t need force. She weaponizes influence.

And Rachel may not realize she’s being used until it’s too late.

Chanel’s Emotional Milestone

Amid the darkness, there is a moment of pure joy.

Chanel (Raven Bowens) visits Sarah (Linsey Godfrey) for a routine prenatal appointment. What she hears changes everything: her baby’s heartbeat for the first time.

The emotional moment brings Chanel to tears. For her, this isn’t just a medical milestone — it’s validation, hope, and a reminder that something beautiful is growing despite the turmoil surrounding Salem.

After months of uncertainty and emotional strain, this reassurance grounds her. The steady rhythm of her baby’s heartbeat symbolizes stability in a town where everything else feels precarious.

But in true Salem fashion, happiness is often fragile.

A New Spark at Horton Square

Romance may also be blooming — or at least beginning to flicker.

Arianna (Marissa Reyes) has an unexpected encounter with Liam (Hank Northrop) at Horton Square. Their interaction is warm, easy, and charged with possibility. As Arianna leaves, she kisses him gently on the cheek — a gesture that feels both spontaneous and meaningful.

Could this be the start of a new love story?

Not everyone is thrilled.

EJ (Dan Feuerriegel) witnesses the exchange and greets Liam with a sly, knowing smile. Liam’s reaction is far from friendly. The tension between them is palpable, hinting at a shared history that may not be pleasant.

Is Liam hiding something? Does EJ know more than he’s letting on?

In Salem, new romances rarely arrive without complications — and this one appears no exception.

A Week of Escalation

The week of February 23–27 marks a turning point across multiple storylines.

Stephanie’s abduction raises urgent questions about identity, motive, and hidden threats. Marlena’s doubts challenge assumptions. Alex’s fury risks crossing dangerous lines.

Sophia continues pulling invisible strings, manipulating Rachel in ways that could cause long-term emotional fallout.

Chanel clings to hope as new life grows within her. Arianna steps toward potential romance while shadows from the past loom nearby.

Salem thrives on emotional extremes — joy and terror, love and suspicion, loyalty and betrayal. This week encapsulates all of it.

The biggest question remains: who truly has Stephanie? And when the truth emerges, will it be more devastating than anyone imagined?

One thing is certain — by the end of the week, nothing in Salem will feel safe again.