Days of Our Lives: Xander’s Nightmare After Brady Firing – Sarah’s Shocking Punishment!

In Salem, redemption is never a straight line, and no one is learning that lesson more painfully than Xander Kiriakis. Just when it seemed like he might finally be turning a corner, a devastating mix of jealousy, pride, and unresolved insecurity sends him spiraling into a nightmare that threatens everything he has worked so hard to rebuild. What begins as an internal struggle soon explodes into a scandal that rocks Titan Industries, shatters personal relationships, and pushes Sarah Horton further away than ever before.

For months, Xander has been insisting—both to others and to himself—that he is no longer the reckless, vindictive man Salem once feared. He has tried to embrace responsibility, professionalism, and emotional growth, determined to prove that his past mistakes do not define his future. Yet beneath that polished exterior, old wounds continue to fester. Xander’s jealousy, especially when it comes to Sarah, has never truly healed. He may speak the language of change, but when his heart is tested, his instincts betray him.

Those closest to Xander have noticed his effort, but they’ve also seen the cracks. His temper simmers just below the surface, and his need for control remains dangerously strong. The pressure of running Titan Industries, combined with his unresolved feelings for Sarah, creates a volatile emotional cocktail. Xander tells himself he can handle it, that he’s stronger now—but Salem has a way of exposing uncomfortable truths.

Alex Kiriakis certainly sees the warning signs. Concerned about the direction Xander is heading, Alex pulls him aside for a frank and unfiltered conversation. He doesn’t sugarcoat his words, making it clear that Xander’s personal grudges are beginning to bleed into his professional decisions. Alex warns him that Titan cannot survive if it becomes a battleground for romantic rivalries and emotional outbursts. Leadership, Alex insists, requires restraint and clarity—qualities Xander seems to be losing by the day.

Instead of listening, Xander bristles. His pride flares, and he dismisses Alex’s concerns as meddling. Convinced that he has everything under control, Xander refuses to confront the uncomfortable truth: he is already losing it. That stubborn refusal to self-reflect sets the stage for everything that follows.

The breaking point arrives on New Year’s Eve, when whispers spread through Salem about a growing closeness between Sarah Horton and Brady Black. What began as friendship and mutual support has clearly transformed into something deeper. At the New Year’s celebration, the chemistry between them is impossible to miss. They share laughter, private moments, and lingering looks that speak volumes. As midnight strikes, Sarah and Brady seal the moment with a kiss that feels full of promise—marking not just the start of a new year, but the beginning of a new chapter together.

For those who witness it, the connection is undeniable. Brady looks at Sarah with warmth and admiration, while Sarah appears relaxed and genuinely happy in his presence. There is an ease between them that suggests trust, comfort, and emotional safety—things Sarah has struggled to maintain in the past. Unbeknownst to them, this single moment will ignite a firestorm elsewhere.

When Xander learns about the kiss, his world implodes. Any composure he’s been clinging to evaporates instantly. The idea of Sarah moving on—especially with Brady—hits him like a physical blow. Old fears resurface, and the sense of loss feels unbearable. Instead of processing those emotions with maturity, Xander is overtaken by jealousy so intense it blinds him to reason.

In that moment, Xander’s claims of personal growth ring hollow. Faced with a true test of character, he doesn’t rise to meet it—he collapses under its weight. Rage and wounded pride take over, convincing him that he has been humiliated and replaced. His thoughts spiral, replaying images of Sarah and Brady together, images that fuel his desperation to regain control.

That desperation leads to a catastrophic mistake.

Without consulting anyone, without documentation, and without legitimate cause, Xander fires Brady from Titan Industries. It is a decision driven purely by emotion, thinly disguised as a business move. The timing makes his motives painfully obvious. Coming so soon after New Year’s Eve, no one is fooled. Within Titan, shockwaves ripple through the halls as employees and executives question Xander’s judgment and integrity.

The firing isn’t just unprofessional—it’s dangerous. By abusing his authority to settle a personal score, Xander undermines the very foundation of Titan Industries. Trust erodes instantly, and whispers begin about whether he is fit to lead at all. What was meant to be an act of dominance instead exposes his greatest weakness.

Brady, however, refuses to be a silent victim. Furious and deeply hurt, he confronts Xander head-on. Their clash is explosive, stripping away any remaining pretense. Brady calls Xander out for exactly what he is doing—using his power to punish a romantic rival. One by one, Brady dismantles Xander’s flimsy justifications, forcing him to face the truth he’s been avoiding.

Every accusation hits home because it’s true. Xander’s silence speaks louder than words. In that confrontation, his hypocrisy is laid bare, along with the realization that his so-called transformation may have been more performance than reality. The argument reveals long-standing tensions between the two men, tensions rooted not only in Sarah but in their fundamentally different values.

While Xander’s world crumbles, Sarah and Brady move forward—together. Unshaken by the chaos, they continue to explore their connection with growing confidence. What they share feels stable, supportive, and sincere. For Sarah, Brady offers something she hasn’t felt in a long time: peace. His honesty and emotional consistency stand in stark contrast to the turmoil she experienced with Xander.

Brady, in turn, finds hope in Sarah. Her compassion and strength resonate with him deeply, and the possibility of building something real gives him renewed purpose. Their bond grows stronger with each shared moment, and it soon becomes clear that their relationship is heading toward a more intimate and committed phase.

Insiders suggest that Sarah and Brady are on the verge of taking that next step together—an emotional and physical closeness that symbolizes far more than passion. For Sarah, it represents a clean break from her past with Xander and a willingness to fully embrace a new future. For Brady, it’s confirmation that their feelings are mutual and deeply rooted.

When Xander inevitably learns how far their relationship has progressed, the fallout will be devastating. The finality of losing Sarah—to another man, in every sense—will strike at the core of his deepest regrets. His inability to accept that reality threatens to push him even further down a destructive path.

The consequences of Xander’s actions are only beginning to unfold. Legally, professionally, and personally, he may soon be forced to answer for his abuse of power. Titan’s board will have to decide whether leadership driven by jealousy can be tolerated. Friends and family across Salem will be pressured to choose sides, testing loyalties and long-standing bonds.

As Sarah and Brady’s romance continues under intense scrutiny, the question remains: can their relationship survive the storm Xander has unleashed? One thing is certain—Salem is bracing for weeks of explosive drama, where love, power, and accountability collide, and where Xander Kiriakis must finally face the cost of failing his greatest test of change.