In Salem, tension runs high as families, friends, and rivals find themselves pulled deeper into a whirlwind of secrets, emotional confrontations, and unexpected crises.
At Marlena and John’s Penthouse
Brady arrives with urgent news, recounting to Marlena and Belle the surprising details of a quick labor and sudden adoption that unfolded in Chicago. Marlena, concerned, asks about Tate and listens as Brady explains how Tate heroically rescued Holly and Arianna Grace before the rapid adoption process began. While Brady believes Sophia acted out of good intentions, his heart aches for Tate’s emotional struggle.
Their conversation is interrupted when Rachel emerges from the bedroom, prompting Brady to take her along to the DiMera mansion. Left behind, Belle and Marlena share their growing concern about Rachel’s upcoming testimony in Johnny’s trial—worrying whether the young girl can handle the pressure and what her words might mean for the case’s outcome.
Moments later, EJ arrives, seeking Marlena’s help with hypnosis to uncover missing memories. Though he thanks her, Marlena makes it clear she is not assisting for his sake but for the greater goal they share: helping Johnny. EJ agrees that if hypnosis fails, the battle between him and Belle will inevitably play out in court.
As Marlena prepares for the session, she unexpectedly witnesses a kiss between EJ and Belle. Choosing professionalism over confrontation, she dismisses her daughter and begins the hypnosis. Under her guidance, EJ recalls speaking to someone, asking why they handed him something—yet the figure’s face remains a blur. Growing agitated, EJ’s stress forces Marlena to pull him from the hypnotic state. Once awake, EJ fears the faceless person might have been Johnny, but Marlena reassures him that his mind may still be protecting him from a deeper trauma. She promises to continue their sessions, determined to reach the truth.
At the Brady Pub
Elsewhere, Abe finishes a call with Theo before sitting down with Paulina, who is visibly anxious about being called to testify. Although she now believes in Johnny’s innocence, the idea of taking the stand—and potentially influencing his fate—fills her with dread. Her worries extend to Chanel, fearing her daughter could become a suspect in the same crime.
Their conversation drifts to the mysterious video found on the memory card. Abe recalls Chanel insisting she never said what was heard on the recording, sparking speculation: could the footage have been altered, perhaps even artificially manipulated? Paulina quickly changes the subject, asking about Theo, and Abe reveals that his son is struggling after a breakup with Claire Bear. Paulina expresses surprise, believing the couple would last, but gently reassures Abe that Theo will find love again.
As their talk turns back to Johnny’s trial, Paulina asks about his chances. Abe admits that while the evidence remains circumstantial, trials are unpredictable. The one certainty, he notes, is that EJ will fight with everything he has to clear his son’s name.
At the DiMera Mansion
Gwen arrives with her bags, irritated that no one is there to assist her. Brady and Rachel walk in, and Rachel bluntly questions Gwen’s presence. Gwen explains she is moving in, but when Rachel rushes upstairs, Gwen turns to Brady, curious as to why Rachel is staying with him. Brady explains she will remain there for the duration of the trial.
Rachel soon returns, and Gwen departs for the Salem Inn. Alone with her father, Rachel appears uneasy, glancing around the mansion. She admits that standing in the same place where Johnny once held a gun unsettles her deeply. Brady praises her bravery for sharing her story with Belle, but Rachel’s fear is clear: she dreads taking the stand and worries about the possibility of sending Johnny to prison.
At Chanel and Johnny’s Home
Meanwhile, Chanel helps Johnny prepare for his day in court. Beneath his composed exterior, Johnny’s nerves surface, and he admits through tears that he is terrified. Together, they review the evidence stacked against him. Chanel offers encouragement, insisting that Johnny will be acquitted, yet she privately fears Belle’s legal focus may soon turn toward her—especially because of the incriminating memory card video.
Around Horton Square
Belle takes a call from Claire Bear, who is heartbroken over her breakup with Theo. Distracted and concerned, Belle runs into Abe and Paulina, and the three share a brief, sympathetic discussion about the younger generation’s troubles, even as more pressing matters loom.
In the Courtroom
Belle waits anxiously at her table, attempting to reach EJ by phone, wondering if something went wrong during his hypnosis session. When EJ finally arrives, he updates her on what he remembered: under hypnosis, he saw himself asking someone to hand him a gun but could not identify who it was. Marlena believes his mind is still shielding him from a painful memory.
As the trial begins, the emotional weight of the day grows heavier. Marlena greets Johnny outside the courtroom, offering a warm hug and promising her unwavering support. But just as the judge enters, bringing the jury to order, tragedy strikes—Marlena suddenly collapses into Abe’s arms, leaving everyone stunned and panicked.
Aftermath
Back at Marlena’s penthouse, Brady and Rachel step inside, blissfully unaware of the panic unfolding at the courthouse. Rachel’s eager expression falters when she realizes her grandmother isn’t home. Disappointment clouds her face for only a moment, though, as Brady gently shifts her focus with a promise: they will head out for a special movie outing together. Instantly cheered, Rachel rushes off to her room to gather her things, her small feet pattering down the hall.
The cheerful moment is cut short when Brady’s phone rings. Belle’s voice comes through, tense and urgent. Without preamble, she delivers the shocking news—Marlena has collapsed in court. The weight of her words lands hard, leaving Brady stunned as Rachel’s muffled chatter continues in the background, blissfully unaware that everything has just changed.
Meanwhile, at another corner of Salem, Gwen is in a frantic whirlwind of her own. She hastily packs her belongings, her mind racing. Midway through shoving clothes into a suitcase, she freezes, struck by a thought—the necklace. She remembers locking it safely away. Heart pounding, she moves quickly to the safe, swings the door open, and peers inside. Her breath catches. The space is empty. The necklace is gone.
Back at the courthouse, the atmosphere is tense and chaotic. Belle is on her knees beside her mother, her composure unraveling as she desperately calls Marlena’s name. Her voice shakes, the usual confidence of an attorney replaced by raw, terrified urgency. “Please, Mom… wake up,” she whispers, surrounded by murmurs, the stunned jury, and the growing rush of medical personnel converging on the courtroom.
