Days of our Lives Performer of the Week: Linsey Godfrey as Sarah Horton Kiriakis 

Days of our Lives weaved a delicate web of lies when Sarah, played by Linsey Godfrey, took her husband, Xander, back after choosing to believe that he had not beaten up his brother, Philip, to within an inch of his life. Now, the truth is out, which has given Godfrey a platform to deliver a powerhouse performance, earning her Soap Central's Performer of the Week honors.

Days of our Lives, Linsey Godfrey, Performer of the Week

"Look at me in the eye and tell me that you didn't attack Philip (John Paul Lavoisier)," Sarah inquired, keeping a controlled tone to her voice, hoping against hope that this wasn't true. "Tell me that you didn't do it."

Xander (Paul Telfer) confessed he couldn't tell Sarah what she wanted to hear. It was, in fact, true. Instead of dissolving into a puddle of tears, Godfrey chose to play shock, awareness, and anger. She wasn't going to go into denial or give Xander a pass on any level.

"How could I ever let myself believe that you could change? You never change, Xander. You will always be the amoral mobster who just blows up and hurts anyone at hand," Sarah continued. "You shot Marlena. You kidnapped Bonnie and Susan, and you almost killed Brady."

As if these sins weren't bad enough, they were personal to Sarah -- beyond her fondness and personal relationships with Xander's victims.

"You watched me beat myself up because I thought the worst in you!" Sarah said. "Screw you for making me think you even had a soul."

Any part of Sarah that knew deep down Xander might have been guilty of beating up Philip is gone now. The Days of our Lives actress embraced the lines of dialogue that have Sarah fully realizing that this time, there is no going back. There can be no forgiveness. She can't feel safe with Xander anymore.

Take the "L" out of lover, and it's over

"This time, Xander, we are really, truly done," Godfrey's character proclaimed, holding eye contact with the man Sarah once truly trusted.

"I have nothing left, Xander," Sarah continued. "I can't do it." While a lesser actress might have resorted to histrionics in delivering those two lines, Godfrey embraced Sarah's acceptance of her life with Xander being over.

While some soap characters repeat the same mistakes over and over, hoping for a different outcome, Sarah read off how forgiveness has played out in the past, and how it would play out again if she were to let this slide.

"I have nothing left, Xander. I can't do it. I know you're sorry...I know it. You'll be better for Victoria, and then, you'll go out and beat the hell out of your own brother -- a wounded veteran. My God, it wasn't even a fair fight!"

Sarah proposed to Xander what might happen if she or Victoria were to make him angry. Xander professed that he'd never hurt either of them. Sarah had to believe that, he insisted. Could she?

Kiriakis versus Kramer

"I can't believe that," a defeated Sarah replied. "I can't believe anything that you say."

"There is no us, not anymore," Sarah said. "You see, Xander, I'm the one who changed because I will never put my faith in a faithless person again."

Xarah fans have always hoped that Xander could change, and perhaps he has, but was anyone counting on Sarah changing? She simply can't take him back this time. To emphasize her stance, Sarah took off her wedding ring, a gesture that indicates that this time, it truly is over.

Later, a resigned Sarah was comforted by her mother, Maggie (Suzanne Rogers). Godfrey was able to let down her guard, but she still chose to keep her arms folded to protect herself. "Actually, a part of me knew it, too, all along," Sarah told her mom. "That Xander nearly beat Philip to death. A part of me was just in denial...He doesn't deserve my love, my belief in him, or my daughter."

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While this Days of our Lives romance is dead, the scenes between Sarah and Xander are likely to continue if there's a custody battle on the horizon for little Victoria. Brava to Godfrey for playing Sarah's vulnerability, strength, and resolve!

Days of our Lives streams daily on Peacock

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