The town of Salem has never been a quiet place, but this fall promises to shake the core of its most iconic families. At the heart of the chaos is Stephanie Johnson, who thought publishing her passionate romance novel would be a fresh new chapter in her life. Instead, it may be the very thing that pulls a ghost from her past back into the spotlight—none other than Jeremy Horton, Salem’s former bad boy and one of Stephanie’s most dangerous exes.

Stephanie’s Steamy Secret Comes to Light

Stephanie’s new book, One Stormy Night, is already creating ripples throughout Salem. Thanks to Kate Roberts, who accidentally left the manuscript lying around University Hospital, the novel has made its way through the hands of doctors and nurses, all buzzing about just how daring—and intimate—the story is. What Stephanie doesn’t know is that even her parents, Steve and Kayla, have been paging through the sultry details and taking “inspiration” from their daughter’s work. The awkwardness of that revelation alone could derail Stephanie’s carefully built reputation.

But it’s not just her family’s embarrassment that haunts her. Stephanie penned the novel under the pseudonym Anastasia Sans, hoping no one would ever connect her real identity to the scandalous book. Yet clues are already pointing back at her. Philip Kiriakis, one of her exes, didn’t need long to recognize the details woven into the story. And if Philip could spot the connections, how long before others—especially the men she wrote about—realize they’ve been immortalized on the page?

The Jeremy Horton Shadow

What makes Stephanie lose sleep isn’t just the fear of professional humiliation—it’s the possibility that one specific man might pick up her book. That man is Jeremy Horton, the ex-boyfriend whose relationship with Stephanie spiraled into something dark and abusive years ago. Longtime viewers will remember the turbulent storyline from 2007, when Jeremy, the son of Dr. Mike Horton, was entangled in illegal dealings, including drug smuggling and shady airline operations. His romance with Stephanie burned hot at first but soon descended into violence, culminating in one horrifying moment when he shoved her underwater in a hot tub.

Jeremy fled Salem before he could face the full consequences of his actions, vowing to turn over a new leaf. But did he ever really change? The memory of his threats lingers in Stephanie’s mind, and she made a special request to her boyfriend Alex Kiriakis to remove one very personal passage from the book that might trigger Jeremy. Alex, however, dropped the ball. The passage is still there—and the novel is heading to print.

Salem Buzzes as Titan Pushes the Novel

Behind the scenes, Titan Publishing is fast-tracking One Stormy Night in hopes of reviving their struggling book division. Kate Roberts is convinced the steamy romance will be the hit Titan desperately needs, and Alex supports the project wholeheartedly. Yet their ambition may come at a cost. Stephanie’s warnings about cutting certain autobiographical details weren’t heeded, leaving her exposed just as the spotlight shines brightest.

And Salem’s gossip mill is already hard at work. The hospital staff whisper about who might have inspired the book’s sexiest scenes. Philip is smug, claiming he recognized himself in more than one chapter. But the real storm is brewing around Jeremy. With rumors swirling that a familiar Horton could soon return, the timing couldn’t be more alarming.

Clues Pointing to Jeremy’s Return

It’s not just idle speculation. Recently, Steve dropped Jeremy’s name in conversation, a deliberate nod that has long-time fans buzzing. In soap storytelling, name-drops rarely come without purpose, and this one seems to set the stage for Jeremy’s reentry into Salem.

Adding fuel to the fire, Michael Rourke—known for his roles on The Young and the Restless and the sultry Black Dagger Brotherhood series—has been confirmed to join Days of Our Lives in October. While the show hasn’t officially stated his role, spoilers hint he may be the recast for Jeremy Horton. His arrival aligns perfectly with another upcoming event: the return of Mike Horton, Jeremy’s father, for the dedication of the Dr. Tom Horton Free Clinic.

With father and son potentially back in Salem at the same time, the pieces fit together almost too neatly. The Hortons, one of the town’s cornerstone families, are about to be thrust back into the spotlight, and their troubled legacy could reignite in ways no one expects.

The Danger Ahead

If Jeremy does return, what will his intentions be? Will he come quietly, perhaps looking to reconnect with his family and prove he’s changed? Or will he come roaring back with a vengeance, furious to find himself thinly disguised in Stephanie’s book?

The fear gnawing at Stephanie is that Jeremy won’t just seek an autograph—he may want revenge. Salem has seen its share of obsessive men with violent tendencies, and Jeremy’s past suggests he’s more than capable of wreaking havoc again. Stephanie’s parents, especially Steve, will be on high alert once they realize she’s nervous about her ex resurfacing. Steve already worries that Alex might not be the best man to protect his daughter, and if Jeremy becomes a threat, Steve won’t hesitate to step in.

Alex and Philip in the Crossfire

This drama also puts Alex Kiriakis in a precarious position. Stephanie trusted him to protect her secret by removing that damning passage from the book, and his failure could cost her dearly. Worse, Alex himself has a criminal history that makes Steve uneasy. If Jeremy starts stirring trouble, Steve may view Alex as unreliable, fueling more tension in Stephanie’s already complicated love life.

Meanwhile, Philip’s discovery that Stephanie wrote the book could draw him back into her orbit. If he recognizes details only the two of them shared, Philip might exploit the situation—or attempt to play hero if Jeremy threatens Stephanie. Either way, old flames and bitter rivalries are sure to flare up.

A Legacy Return for the Hortons

The potential return of Jeremy isn’t just about Stephanie’s past. It ties into the larger tapestry of the Horton family, one of Salem’s most iconic dynasties. With Mike Horton’s visit tied to the clinic dedication, the stage is set for a family reunion laced with tension. Fans have long clamored for the show to spotlight the Hortons again, and Jeremy’s controversial reentry could be the spark that rekindles their prominence on canvas.

Imagine the fireworks: a reformed Jeremy seeking redemption, or a bitter Jeremy holding grudges and stirring chaos. Either path promises drama worthy of Salem’s most legendary family.

What Comes Next

For now, Stephanie is trying to keep calm, reassured by Alex that her pen name will shield her identity. But as more people piece together the truth—and as whispers of Jeremy’s possible return grow louder—her peace of mind may shatter. If Jeremy truly is on his way back, his reappearance will collide with the release of One Stormy Night and the Horton family’s clinic dedication, making October in Salem hotter than ever.

One thing is certain: the Lost Horton is about to return, and Salem will never be the same.