Salem is bracing for impact as revenge plots spiral out of control and long-buried secrets threaten to detonate across every corner of town on Days of Our Lives.

From sorority sabotage to DiMera deception, the February 20, 2026 episode delivers a cascade of betrayals that could permanently alter alliances, romances, and legacies.

Sophia’s Revenge Reaches a Boiling Point

Sophia Choi has made one thing abundantly clear: she is not finished with Holly Jonas.

What began as quiet resentment has morphed into calculated psychological warfare. After secretly tampering with Holly’s medication — a pill swap that triggered erratic behavior and public humiliation — Sophia has watched her former best friend’s world unravel. Holly’s sorority dreams are collapsing, her reputation is fraying, and her emotional stability is being questioned.

Yet for Sophia, it’s still not enough.

Sources inside Salem suggest she is doubling down, determined to ensure Holly’s spectacular downfall continues. With social media amplifying every misstep and Ariana Horton delivering devastating news that a coveted sorority chose someone else, Holly finds herself isolated and spiraling.

The tragedy is layered: while Holly struggles to understand why her life is imploding, the real architect of her misery remains hidden in plain sight. But in Salem, secrets always surface — and when this one explodes, the fallout could be catastrophic.

Kristen and Gwen Toast Too Soon

Across town, two of Salem’s most formidable schemers are raising a glass — perhaps prematurely.

Kristen DiMera and Gwen Rizczech are riding high on what they believe are romantic victories. Gwen has just shared an intimate encounter with Xander Cook, convinced it signals a genuine rekindling of their complicated love story. Kristen, meanwhile, is maneuvering to extend her stay in Brady Black’s condo, despite his firm insistence on boundaries.

But their celebrations may be short-lived.

Xander’s heart still aches for Sarah Horton. Insiders confirm his night with Gwen was less a declaration of love and more a moment of weakness — a distraction from heartbreak rather than a fresh start. While Gwen sees promise, Xander sees temporary escape.

Kristen faces a similar delusion. Though she longs to reunite her family, Brady remains resolute: co-parenting does not equal reconciliation. When Kristen spots Sarah’s lipstick on Brady’s shirt, her fury reignites — and with it, the potential for another DiMera-fueled scheme.

Brady and Sarah: Love Under Siege

Brady Black and Sarah Horton are cautiously exploring their connection, keeping it under wraps to shield young Rachel from disappointment. But secrecy in Salem rarely survives long.

Rachel’s hope for her parents’ reunion hangs in the balance. Brady attempts to manage expectations, even presenting Kristen with joint custody paperwork to formalize boundaries. Yet Kristen’s willingness to sign — without fully reading the fine print — may signal a larger strategy brewing beneath the surface.

Should Rachel discover the truth, or worse, become a pawn in Kristen’s emotional chess game, Brady and Sarah’s fragile romance could collapse before it truly begins.

EJ and Cat: A Seductive Game of Cat and Mouse

At the DiMera mansion, tension simmers between EJ DiMera and Cat Green. What began as subtle flirtation has evolved into a high-stakes psychological duel.

Cat, secretly working an investigation tied to EJ’s past, attempts to stir his memories of their shared time in Italy by reading Wuthering Heights — a nod to their intimate connection during his recovery. EJ, ever the strategist, appears both enchanted and suspicious.

As Stefano DiMera’s will is set to be read, EJ confesses fears of internal family warfare. He knows better than anyone that Stefano had a talent for pitting his heirs against one another. If the will contains one final twist, it could ignite a DiMera civil war.

And if EJ uncovers Cat’s true motives? Romance could quickly transform into blackmail.

Leo and Dmitri’s Risky Escape

Meanwhile, Leo Stark and Dmitri von Leuschner are plotting a daring escape to Alamainia in hopes of clearing Dmitri’s name. Removing an ankle monitor is no small feat, and their reckless plan carries enormous risk.

Their chemistry crackles with tension, but their mission is fraught with danger. If caught, Dmitri’s legal troubles could intensify — and Leo’s loyalty may cost him dearly.

Gabi’s Guilt and a Fortune at Stake

As corporate tremors ripple through Titan Industries, Gabi Hernandez faces a reckoning of her own. With evidence mounting that Stefan’s divorce papers were forged, she may soon be recognized as his widow — and potentially inherit a significant DiMera fortune.

But wealth brings moral conflict.

Gabi knows her past corporate espionage helped destabilize Titan. Philip Kiriakis confided that the company is barely surviving, with Victor’s estate used as loan collateral. If Gabi uses her newfound fortune to rescue Titan, will it be redemption — or manipulation?

And if Philip learns she once planted a listening device in Titan’s office, could forgiveness survive such betrayal?

A Town on the Edge

Elsewhere, danger escalates as Vivian Alamain’s operatives tie up loose ends tied to past kidnappings. Liam Seleko may be marked as a liability. With Shawn Brady and JJ Deveraux circling the investigation, gunfire and tragedy loom on the horizon.

Stephanie Johnson’s stalker storyline also intensifies, hinting at an abduction that could close out sweeps week with explosive force.

The Calm Before the Detonation

As Valentine’s Day romance fades, Salem’s couples are left teetering:

• Xander and Gwen: passion without promise.
• Brady and Sarah: hope shadowed by Kristen.
• EJ and Cat: attraction tangled in espionage.
• Gabi and Philip: love threatened by secrets.
• Theo’s fixation on Gabi: a ticking time bomb for Jada.

By episode’s end, it’s clear that revenge, ambition, and hidden agendas are colliding at once. Celebrations are premature. Schemes are unraveling. And one devastating revelation could bring multiple storylines crashing down simultaneously.

In Salem, every victory is temporary — and every secret is a fuse waiting to burn.

As the will is read, the revenge deepens, and the schemes ignite, one truth becomes unavoidable: when destruction comes, it won’t be quiet.