The emotional landscape of Salem has rarely been calm, but in the aftermath of Xander Cook’s devastating marital collapse with Sarah Horton, the tension has reached a whole new level.

Their relationship, once fiery and passionate, has now crumbled under the weight of betrayal, violence, and broken trust. And now, as the ink on the divorce papers is barely dry,

rumors are already swirling: Is Xander moving on… and with whom? And more importantly—is Sarah ready to watch him give his heart to someone else?

This is the story of heartbreak, revenge, vulnerability—and the dangerous temptations waiting for Xander as he tries to rebuild his life.

The Marriage That Fell Apart for Good

For a long time, Sarah believed she could be the one to change Xander. She saw the good in him, the softness beneath the brutality. But the revelation that Xander brutally assaulted Philip sent shockwaves through their marriage. It wasn’t just another mistake. It was proof, in Sarah’s eyes, that the man she loved and defended had crossed a line that could never be uncrossed.

In a painful, emotional confrontation, Sarah told Xander that she could no longer recognize the man standing before her. Her trust had been shattered so thoroughly that she no longer believed redemption was possible. Calling him “evil” was not said in anger—it was said in resignation.

In one decisive moment, Sarah contacted Justin and initiated divorce proceedings. And this time, there is no hint of hesitation, no hope of reconciliation hidden in her eyes.

For Sarah, the marriage is over.

For Xander, it’s the end of the only love he ever believed he truly deserved.

Xander at a Crossroads

What happens next is the question everyone in Salem—and every viewer—wants answered.

Xander has always walked a razor’s edge between darkness and redemption. Losing Sarah may push him back into the shadows… unless someone unexpected steps into the light beside him.

Enter Gwen Rizczech.

Gwen Returns—And She’s Not Just Comforting Him

Gwen and Xander share a past—one filled with poor decisions, chaos, and the sort of reckless bond that only two people with scars can form. Unlike Sarah, Gwen doesn’t expect Xander to be better. She accepts him for who he is—flaws, rage, past crimes and all.

This is a dangerous kind of acceptance. It tempts Xander with something Sarah could never offer:

A life where he doesn’t have to apologize for being himself.

And Gwen knows exactly what she’s doing. She understands heartbreak intimately—her husband betrayed her with her best friend. Now, she and Xander share not just a history, but a new emotional wound: being left, betrayed, and rejected by the ones they loved.

Their chemistry has reignited—and Salem is noticing.

But Gwen Isn’t the Only One

There’s another shocker brewing.

Gabby Hernandez.

At first, Gabby’s interactions with Xander were strategic—part of her scheme to manipulate Titan and the Kiriakis brothers. But something unexpected happened. When Gabby was at her lowest—terrified after her daughter Ariana disappeared—Xander was there, not as a brute or a schemer, but as a man offering genuine comfort.

She didn’t expect to see tenderness in him.

He didn’t expect to feel protective over her.

And now? There’s an energy between them no one saw coming.

But Gabby is torn—because her heart may still be tied to Philip.

And when Philip learns she used him as part of a corporate plot, his heartbreak will be volcanic. That emotional fallout could push Gabby directly into Xander’s arms.

And Sarah? She will not take that well. Not one bit.

What Comes Next

Xander now stands at one of the most defining turning points in his character’s history:

Will he try to prove he can still be the man Sarah wanted?
Or
Will he embrace Gwen or Gabby—and the darker version of himself that doesn’t apologize or pretend?

The answer will determine:

• His identity
• His future
• His role in Salem’s power structure
• And whether he ever finds real love again

One thing is certain:

Xander Cook will not walk away from this divorce quietly.

And the woman who ends up in his arms next will change everything—for him, for Sarah…

…and for Salem.