Deception, guilt, and shocking walk-ins are about to turn Salem upside down. The Days of Our Lives preview video for the week of July 13-17 reveals that a series of hidden actions and deep betrayals will push several relationships to the absolute brink. At the emotional epicenter of the drama is Stephanie Kiriakis, whose growing insecurity and a highly questionable apartment scene are about to leave Alex Kiriakis demanding answers. When Alex walks into his home, he will spot Theo Carver in a rather scandalous-looking situation that will instantly raise red flags.
Abe’s Confession and the Fallout of Deception
The weekly promo kicks off with a heavy dose of family conflict. Abe Carver is carrying a massive burden, and he finally admits to Theo that there is a serious secret he has been wrestling with lately. Pushed by his conscience, Abe will come completely clean to his son about conspiring directly with EJ DiMera to oust Theo from the DiMera throne. This devastating revelation leaves Theo utterly shattered. Reeling from his father’s betrayal and a string of recent deceptions, a deeply upset Theo heads to the Small Bar to drown his sorrows. He won’t be alone in his misery, however, as Stephanie joins him to commiserate over her own mounting frustrations.
A Panic Voicemail and a Scandalous Discovery
While Theo is dealing with family drama, Joy Wesley is dealing with pure terror. Joy seeks out Alex for comfort after being involved in a frightening car accident with young Kelsey Kiriakis in the backseat. Fortunately, both Joy and Kelsey will be completely fine in the end, but the harrowing ordeal leaves Joy deeply rattled. When Joy mentions leaving a panicked voicemail on Alex’s phone during the emergency, Alex is left utterly confused because he never received it. The truth will eventually dawn on him that because he accidentally left his phone at home, Stephanie must have intercepted and deleted the message before he returned. Stephanie is secretly struggling with intense guilt over destroying the message, driven by her growing frustration and jealousy over Alex’s deepening bond with Joy.
After Stephanie and a heartbroken Theo share far too many drinks together at the bar, the situation takes an incredibly messy turn. Theo ends up shirtless on the sofa inside Alex and Stephanie’s shared apartment, and Alex walks in later to find him fast asleep under a blanket. Alex will obviously have some massive questions about what exactly went down in his absence. While it is highly doubtful that Stephanie and Theo actually engaged in a passionate, romantic encounter, the optics are terrible. It seems likely that Stephanie will eventually explain she simply let a heavily intoxicated Theo crash on the couch because he was far too drunk to drive. Furthermore, Theo may admit he was desperate to avoid going home to risk another painful run-in with Abe.
A Mystery Clue and EJ’s Crushing Defeat
Meanwhile, romance and mystery blend together in another part of Salem. Chad DiMera and Belle Black take some time to enjoy a cultural evening, taking in a performance by Salem’s string quartet at the Verdi in the Square event. Their night takes a sharp turn when an unknown mystery man suddenly approaches them, claiming that Belle dropped her event program. Belle quickly realizes that the program doesn’t actually belong to her. However, the interaction isn’t a simple mistake, as there should be another vital clue relating directly to the ongoing chessboard mission inside the booklet.
While some are hunting for clues, EJ DiMera will be hunting for a way to salvage his empire and failing miserably. Kayla Johnson will take immense personal pleasure in delivering a devastating blow to the town’s resident villain. Kayla informs EJ that the state board has officially made the executive decision to revoke his ownership rights. This means EJ will officially lose total control of the hospital, delivering a brutal and crushing blow to his status.
The Tainted Drug Cover-Up Ensnares Holly
Finally, the drama shifts to the younger crowd as a dangerous cover-up claims an innocent victim. Tate Black makes a startling discovery when he uncovers a stash of pills hidden inside Holly Jonas’ bag. Unwilling to let it slide, Tate joins forces with Sarah Horton to confront a defensive Holly directly. To the outside world, this discovery serves as undeniable proof that Holly has fallen off the wagon and is actively back on drugs. In reality, viewers know this is a calculated frame-job, and the pills are actually a piece of EJ’s elaborate cover-up regarding the tainted Coriseal scandal. Despite the mounting evidence against her, Holly will fiercely maintain her innocence. She will become incredibly upset and heartbroken when she realizes that even Tate doubts her word, proving that some highly difficult and emotional days are just around the corner for the young couple.
With Stephanie’s deceit hanging in the balance and Holly facing an unjust accusation, trust is in short supply in Salem. Will Alex believe Stephanie’s innocent explanation about Theo, or has a wedge been permanently driven into their relationship?
