Salem is bracing for one of its most harrowing weeks yet as Days of Our Lives barrels into a suspense-filled arc that will leave families shattered, loyalties tested,

and secrets dangerously close to exposure. The week of February 23–27 ignites a chain reaction of fear and fury when Stephanie Johnson disappears —

and the truth about her stalker threatens to upend everything her loved ones thought they knew.

A Terrifying Turn: Stephanie’s Nightmare Begins

For weeks, whispers have circulated through Salem about the identity of Stephanie’s stalker. Many have been convinced the culprit was Jeremy, a familiar face whose presence raised red flags almost immediately. But just as the town settles into that assumption, the narrative flips.

On Monday, Stephanie is abducted in a chilling twist that confirms her worst fears were justified all along. The terror becomes deeply personal when she comes face-to-face with the man who has been orchestrating her psychological torment. The encounter promises not only answers, but a horrifying realization: the danger has been closer — and more calculated — than anyone suspected.

Abigail Klein’s portrayal of Stephanie has evolved into one of quiet resilience, but this week pushes her to the brink. Isolated and frightened, she must summon every ounce of strength to survive. As the walls close in, Stephanie begins plotting her own escape, refusing to remain a victim in someone else’s twisted game.

A Father’s Fury: Steve Leads the Charge

The moment news of Stephanie’s disappearance spreads, panic rips through her family. Steve Johnson wastes no time launching a relentless search for his daughter. Stephen Nichols delivers a powerhouse performance as Steve’s calm exterior fractures, revealing a father desperate to save his child at any cost.

By Tuesday, Salem’s tension escalates. Leads are scarce, time is slipping away, and every passing hour increases the stakes. Steve refuses to rely solely on the police. Instead, he takes matters into his own hands — and by Wednesday, he recruits reinforcements.

Enter Rafe Hernandez and Cat Greene, both determined to help unravel the mystery. Rafe’s law enforcement instincts and Cat’s sharp perception create a formidable alliance. Together with Steve, they comb through clues, reexamine assumptions, and begin to realize the stalker’s motives may run deeper than simple obsession.

Alex’s Joy Turns to Devastation

Amid the chaos, heartbreak strikes from an unexpected direction. Alex Kiriakis begins the week riding high after sharing joyous wedding news with his parents, Justin and Bonnie. The moment should mark a hopeful chapter — a celebration of love and new beginnings.

Instead, that happiness is brutally interrupted.

When Alex learns that Stephanie is missing, his world collapses. The contrast is devastating: one moment he is envisioning a future with the woman he loves, and the next he is forced to confront the possibility that she may be in grave danger.

By Friday, Alex teams up with Brady Black in a frantic search effort. The urgency intensifies as evidence suggests Stephanie’s life may hang in the balance. Alex’s desperation fuels him, but it also threatens to cloud his judgment. As he barrels forward, viewers are left wondering whether his emotional investment could put him in harm’s way.

Meanwhile, Stephanie herself refuses to surrender. Trapped and vulnerable, she begins actively resisting her captor. Her determination to fight back underscores her growth as a character and signals that this storyline may redefine her place in Salem.

Kayla’s Shocking Discovery

While the kidnapping dominates headlines in Salem, another explosive storyline simmers beneath the surface.

On Monday, Kayla Johnson stumbles upon something alarming — and it appears to connect not to Stephanie, but to EJ DiMera.

For weeks, whispers have circulated about EJ’s secretive behavior inside the hospital. Now, Kayla’s discovery threatens to blow the lid off a clandestine operation hidden within its walls. Sources suggest EJ has been conducting unauthorized experiments in a concealed laboratory, raising serious ethical and legal concerns.

When Kayla confronts him on Tuesday, sparks fly. Her outrage is unmistakable, and she does not hold back. The confrontation promises to be one of the week’s most explosive showdowns, as EJ scrambles to defend his actions.

By Friday, Marlena struggles to reach Kayla, who is shaken and furious. The emotional toll of uncovering such deception weighs heavily, and the fallout could ripple through both the hospital and the DiMera empire.

The DiMera Power Shift

Elsewhere, the DiMera family faces its own crossroads.

Theo’s potential return to work signals a shift in the family’s internal dynamics. His reentry into the corporate world raises questions about loyalty, ambition, and unfinished business. Paulina stands firmly in support of her stepson, but tensions simmer just beneath the surface.

Meanwhile, Abe revisits his agreement with EJ, hinting that alliances may not be as stable as they once appeared. In Salem, deals are rarely permanent — and trust is even more fragile.

As corporate maneuvering intersects with personal vendettas, the DiMera saga continues to evolve, setting the stage for future confrontations that could reshape the power structure of the town.

A Glimmer of Good News

Not everything in Salem is steeped in dread.

Johnny DiMera brings a rare spark of excitement when he shares thrilling news with Bonnie, reportedly tied to the publication of her book. The moment offers a brief respite from the surrounding turmoil — a reminder that hope still exists, even in the darkest weeks.

Yet even this bright note feels precarious, overshadowed by the looming threat against Stephanie and the secrets unraveling at the hospital.

A Week That Changes Everything

As February sweeps toward its end, Salem stands at a crossroads. Stephanie’s kidnapping forces families to confront their deepest fears. Alex’s romantic future hangs in uncertainty. Kayla’s discovery threatens to ignite a scandal with far-reaching consequences. And the DiMeras find themselves navigating fragile alliances and buried secrets.

By week’s end, one thing is clear: nothing in Salem will remain the same.

Will Stephanie escape before it’s too late? Will her stalker’s true identity shatter longstanding relationships? And can EJ contain the fallout from Kayla’s discovery — or is his empire on the verge of collapse?

With danger closing in and emotions running high, Days of Our Lives delivers a week packed with suspense, heartbreak, and jaw-dropping revelations that promise to reverberate long after the credits roll.