Salem is reeling this week as an explosive new storyline erupts—one that links a shocking poisoning attempt, a long-buried baby secret, and a dangerous return that no one saw coming. In true Days of Our Lives fashion, what begins as a simple case of jealousy spirals into a deadly web of betrayal, desperation, and terrifying consequences. And by the time these events unfold, two families will be shattered, a romance will be pushed to the brink, and one woman’s unraveling mental state will send shockwaves through the town.

A Poisoning Plot That No One Anticipated

The drama ignites when Alex Kiriakis becomes the target of a mysterious poisoning attempt. Someone has been lurking around him—specifically around his coffee cup—and the moment the gloved hand appears on screen, viewers know something sinister is coming. The tampering is deliberate, precise, and ice-cold. Whoever is doing this has a purpose and a plan, and they intend to carry it through without hesitation.

At first, fans assume Jeremy must be involved. His turbulent history and past mistakes make him an easy suspect. But new developments point to an entirely different culprit—someone far more emotionally entangled with Alex, someone with a motive born from heartbreak, abandonment, and months of festering resentment.

Stephanie Becomes the Unintended Victim

The danger escalates when Stephanie Johnson unknowingly steps into the scenario. In her rush to catch up with Alex, she could accidentally grab the poisoned drink meant for him. The horror of imagining Stephanie sipping what was intended to be lethal sends shockwaves through the storyline. If she drinks it first, Alex may survive—but Stephanie might not. And that terrifying possibility adds a horrifying twist: an innocent bystander might die while the intended target walks away unharmed.

This setup is classic Salem tension—high stakes, emotional chaos, and the devastating possibility of losing someone beloved.

Joy Wesley’s Secret Revealed

But the heart of this storyline goes all the way back to March, when Joy Wesley abruptly vanished from Salem. Her sudden departure didn’t feel right then—and now the truth comes rushing to the surface. Joy left town carrying a secret that could reshape lives: she was pregnant with Alex Kiriakis’ child. Instead of telling him, she made the calculated decision to keep the pregnancy hidden.

Why? Because she saw a truth she couldn’t ignore. Alex was falling for Stephanie. And no matter how much he tried to focus on Joy, Stephanie’s shadow lingered. His expressions, his behavior, even the way he said Stephanie’s name revealed that Joy was never going to have his full heart.

Rather than trap Alex in a relationship built on obligation, Joy chose to disappear. But the emotional burden of pregnancy, the loneliness she faced, and the crushing knowledge that she was carrying a child whose father was in love with someone else—all of it hardened her heart.

Joy Wesley Returns—and She’s Responsible for the Poisoning

When Joy comes back to Salem, she does not return as the same woman who left. The months of suffering—financial stress, morning sickness, doctor’s bills, and the constant fear of raising a baby alone—twisted her love into something darker.

And this is where the shocking truth emerges: Joy is the one who poisoned Alex’s drink.

Her motives stem from:

• Feeling abandoned

• Resentment toward Stephanie

• Fear of raising her child without support

• A wounded heart that has become dangerously unstable

She knows Alex’s habits, schedules, and favorite drinks. She knows exactly how to get close without being noticed. And the timing of her return, lined up perfectly with the poisoning attempt, exposes her calculated intention: Joy wanted to confront Alex at his weakest moment—perhaps even while he lay in a hospital bed.

Joy’s Distorted Logic

From Joy’s broken perspective, this act is not murder—it’s justice. She believes Alex emotionally poisoned her first by letting her disappear without questioning why. In her mind, he allowed her to walk away pregnant and alone. She convinces herself that he should have known, should have fought for her, should have sensed something was wrong.

Joy’s tortured thinking leads her to believe that if Alex comes close to dying, he will finally understand the pain she endured. And when she reveals the baby afterward, she imagines he’ll cling to her and the child, desperate to rebuild the life they “could have had.”

Her fantasy is tragic and dangerous. And it threatens multiple lives.

Stephanie Becomes Joy’s Secondary Target

If Stephanie ends up drinking the poison instead of Alex, the consequences would be catastrophic—and Joy knows it. Removing Stephanie clears the way for Joy to claim Alex without competition. Her grief-stricken version of romance would then force Alex into a relationship defined by duty, guilt, and fear.

Joy has crossed into psychological territory where rational thought no longer exists. She sees the destruction of innocent lives as necessary sacrifices in her quest to reclaim Alex and secure a family she believes is hers by right.

The Baby as Leverage

Joy’s plan doesn’t stop at the poisoning. She intends to reveal the baby only after Alex collapses—when he is vulnerable, frightened, and desperate for meaning. Holding their newborn in her arms, Joy imagines she can manipulate the situation:

• Alex will feel guilty

• He will feel responsible

• He won’t have the strength to reject her

• And he won’t abandon his child

But this twisted strategy is built on emotional blackmail, and once Salem uncovers her actions, the fallout will be devastating.

The Truth Will Destroy Everything

Salem always uncovers the truth eventually, and Joy’s crimes will not remain hidden for long. When Alex learns the woman carrying his child tried to poison him—and almost killed Stephanie in the process—his world will collapse. Stephanie, if she survives, will be emotionally traumatized. Co-parenting will be impossible. Custody battles will erupt. And Joy will likely face criminal charges that tear apart any future she hoped for.

Instead of building a family, Joy has destroyed every bridge she ever had.

Meanwhile, Salem Faces Another Emotional Storm

While the poisoning storyline spirals into chaos, another emotional plot unfolds across town. Salem’s Monday episode delivers fear, heartbreak, and a shocking parentage reveal that shakes the community.

Rachel learns her mother Kristen is missing from prison, and her imagination spins out of control with visions of helicopters, search dogs, and dramatic escapes. Brady does everything he can to calm her, reminding her that Kristen has a knack for surviving the impossible.

EJ arrives with news that Kristen may have escaped, sending Rachel into further panic. Her innocence adds emotional weight to the storyline—she sees Salem’s dangers in vivid, frightening detail.

Elsewhere:

• Kristen and Tony exchange tense, secretive conversations.

• Belle struggles emotionally as Marina’s situation unravels.

• EJ hints at a mysterious family reunion.

• And Salem drops another bombshell: Liam is revealed to be the child of a major character, igniting new tension and old family wounds.

A Heartfelt Moment Turns Heavy

In the Hernandez home, Gabi walks in on Javi cooking—only to be hit with suspicions that she might have had something to do with Tony’s disappearance. Hurt turns to sorrow as Javi breaks down, terrified of losing more family after far too many recent tragedies. Their emotional exchange brings warmth to an otherwise chaotic day.

Salem Ends the Day Distraught and Full of Questions

By the end of the episode, Salem is drowning in unanswered questions:

• Where is Kristen?

• Why is Liam’s parentage being revealed now?

• What really happened to Tony?

• And how long before Joy’s poisoning plot explodes into the open?

One thing is certain: the truth about Joy Wesley will set off one of the most explosive storylines Salem has seen in years.

And when her motives, her lies, and her darkest actions come to light, no one—not Alex, not Stephanie, not the child she claims to love—will escape unscathed