Salem’s tangled web of lies stretches far beyond its borders on Days of Our Lives this Wednesday, February 4, as the drama takes an international turn —

and once again, Vivian Alamain proves she is several steps ahead of everyone who dares to challenge her. What begins as a seemingly straightforward

fact-finding mission quickly devolves into manipulation, heartbreak, and emotional fallout that will ripple through multiple lives.

At the center of it all is Vivian (Louise Sorel), a woman whose talent for deception is legendary and whose motives are never as simple as they appear. When Rafe Hernandez (Galen Gering) and Eli Grant (Lamon Archey) travel to Alamania, convinced they can finally extract the truth from her face-to-face, they vastly underestimate the woman they are dealing with — and they may pay the price.

Vivian Spins a Web in Alamania

Vivian has already made her position crystal clear: Stefan DiMera is dead, and she claims to have no knowledge of who was monitoring the kidnapped DiMera family members from abroad. But for Rafe and Eli, that explanation simply doesn’t sit right. Certain that distance and intimidation might crack her story, the two lawmen take the bold step of confronting her on her own turf.

What they find instead is a woman entirely prepared for their arrival.

Vivian greets them not with fear, but with confidence — armed with a carefully constructed cover story that leaves little room for contradiction. Calm, composed, and disturbingly convincing, she reiterates her claims without hesitation. Stefan is gone. She knows nothing. And if there are secrets buried in Alamania, she has no intention of letting anyone dig them up.

The deeper Rafe and Eli push, the more obvious it becomes that Vivian anticipated every question. Each answer is smooth, measured, and just plausible enough to stall their investigation. Whether they realize it or not, the trip may have accomplished exactly what Vivian wanted: reinforcing her narrative while buying herself precious time.

And if Stefan truly isn’t dead? Then Vivian’s lies could soon unravel in catastrophic fashion.

Abe Faces a Painful Betrayal

Back in Salem, the fallout from the DiMera kidnapping continues to spread — and Abe Carver (James Reynolds) finds himself blindsided by devastating news. When Rafe informs him that Liam (Hank Northrup) accepted money and may have played a role in the abduction — an incident that also endangered Abe’s son, Theo — Abe is shaken to his core.

Liam wasn’t just an employee or an acquaintance. Abe had begun to trust him. To respect him. The idea that Liam could betray that trust cuts deeply, reopening old wounds about loyalty, deception, and the cost of misplaced faith.

But Liam refuses to be painted as a villain without a fight.

In an emotionally charged confrontation, Liam pleads his case, offering his own version of events and insisting that the truth is far more complicated than it appears. Whether he was coerced, manipulated, or acting under desperation remains unclear — but his need for Abe’s forgiveness is undeniable.

The question is whether Abe can separate sympathy from justice. And if he can’t, this betrayal could permanently alter how he views the people closest to him.

Philip Pushes Forward — But Gabi Looks Back

Romance in Salem is rarely straightforward, and Gabi Hernandez (Cherie Jimenez) knows that better than most. Though she has been trying to move on from the presumed death of Stefan, his shadow still looms large over her heart — no matter how hard she fights it.

JJ Deveraux (Casey Moss) doesn’t hesitate to voice what others are thinking: he doubts that Gabi and Philip Kiriakis (John-Paul Lavoisier) are truly endgame. Gabi bristles at the suggestion, offended by the implication that her current relationship is merely a distraction.

Philip, for his part, is determined to prove otherwise.

In a bid to solidify their bond, he plans a heartfelt surprise designed to show Gabi just how serious he is about their future. It’s a bold move — one fueled by sincerity and hope — but it may not be enough. Because no matter how hard Gabi tries to move forward, her thoughts keep drifting back to Stefan.

And if Vivian’s claims are lies? If Stefan is alive somewhere out there? Then Gabi’s unresolved feelings could soon erupt into emotional chaos.

The Bigger Picture: Lies That Can’t Stay Buried

Wednesday’s episode underscores one painful truth: lies have a shelf life in Salem — and Vivian’s may be nearing expiration. Every storyline this week circles the same theme: trust, once broken, leaves scars that don’t fade easily.

Rafe and Eli’s failure to crack Vivian’s story doesn’t mean the truth won’t surface. Abe’s confrontation with Liam could expose deeper corruption. And Gabi’s struggle to let go of Stefan suggests that her heart already senses what her mind refuses to accept.

As February 4 unfolds, the stakes rise for everyone involved. Vivian may believe she has outsmarted Salem once again — but history suggests that no secret stays hidden forever.

And when the truth finally comes out, the consequences will be explosive.