Days of our Lives Recap, May 21, 2025: Xander and Sarah's relationship implodes

On Days of our Lives today, Wednesday, May 21, 2025, an explosive confrontation unfolds at the Kiriakis mansion, while other Salem residents gather for a more creative catharsis.

What Happened on Days of our Lives

At Abe and Paulina’s place, Johnny and Chanel were helping pack things for the couple. They looked forward to having the townhouse to themselves for a while since Paulina and Abe were moving. Before things could get too heated, Paulina came through the door and interrupted the imminent intimacy. Once the awkward moment had passed, Paulina giddily asked Chanel and Johnny for a dollar. After a confused Johnny handed over the bill, Paulina exclaimed that they had just purchased her former townhouse.

Chanel squealed and hugged Paulina. Both Johnny and she profusely thanked Paulina, who declined the couple’s insistence that they pay Paulina full price for the property. It was a gift. She reminded them about a fundraising event, and the trio left for the festivities.

In Philip’s hospital room, Alex urged Philip to wake up. Brady also stopped by for a visit. He was surprised to learn that the police suspected Xander since Brady had thought the brothers were getting along. Both Alex and Brady hoped Xander wasn’t the culprit, for the entire family’s sake.

When Alex suggested that Xander wouldn’t inflict such violence on his own family, Brady thought back to Xander threatening him with a baseball bat. Brady would only say they needed to wait for Philip to wake up. “If he wakes up,” Alex added.

At Small Bar, Cat and Stephanie were preparing for another hospital fundraising event when Chad walked inside. He shared a smile with the women. Cat brought Chad up to date on the event, which was a “Sip and Paint” where she’d be filling in as the art instructor. The two bantered about Cat’s artistic talents, and Chad lightly suggested they change their date location to a museum. At the mention of “date,” Stephanie’s ears perked up.

Cat explained that Chad was taking EJ’s place as her date from the bachelorette auction. She excitedly mentioned they planned to go skydiving. Chad stepped aside to take a call, which gave Stephanie the opportunity to ask about the date. Cat got nervous and claimed it wasn’t a real date. Stephanie wasn’t so sure because she’d noted how Cat had “lit up” when she’d seen Chad. She expressed reservations about the date, and Cat assumed it was about her having impersonated Abigail.

Stephanie pledged that wasn’t the case. She was protective of Chad and the kids, and she didn’t want Cat to get hurt either. Stephanie opened up about her previous relationship with Chad. It hadn’t worked out because Chad hadn’t been able to move on from Abigail. “I’m not sure he'll ever be ready,” Stephanie emphasized.

Later, Alex and Brady arrived for the fundraiser. Stephanie introduced them to Cat. Chad came back and informed the gathering his “hot date” had been canceled. Maggie wouldn’t be coming. Cat seemed relieved that the “date” Chad had mentioned had been with Maggie. Chad asked about Philip, and Alex and Brady said their cousin/uncle was hanging on and fighting.

Stephanie and Alex retired to a corner of the room, and Alex admitted he was very worried about Philip. He couldn’t stop thinking about how he’d seen Xander in the square acting erratically around the time of Philip’s attack. Alex hoped Xander wasn’t responsible for attempted murder, but both Stephanie and Alex knew that Xander was more than capable of it.

The group reconvened before the instruction session began. They joked about the subjects of the painting. Chad frowned on clowns. Paulina suggested they take advantage of all the “fine male specimens” in the room to do some nude painting. Cat presented her intended subject: a fruit bowl. Paulina cracked not to be surprised when people started “nodding off” and sauntered away.

Cat had second thoughts and suggested a compromise to Chad: some of the men should strip down to their underwear and serve as subjects. Chad said he’d only do it if Cat did the same. That suggestion quickly closed the topic.

Later, Cat made the rounds of the room and observed everyone’s work. She settled at Chad’s table and complimented his work. Chad mentioned Xander’s apology to Cat, and Cat stressed he needed to apologize to Felicity…provided he wasn’t going to prison. She shared a moment with Chad when she helped him with his brushstrokes, and their hands connected.

Over at Paulina’s table, Johnny’s eyes widened when he saw what Paulina was painting. A tipsy Paulina proudly confirmed she wasn’t painting a “dull-ass fruit bowl” but a “well-endowed male nude” instead. Chanel chided her mother about the inspiration for the painting and then hinted she wasn’t staying on topic either. Johnny hoped his wife wasn’t following her mother’s lead, but Chanel displayed her work of art: a sign proclaiming “Home Sweet Home.” A smiling Johnny revealed his painting, which mirrored Chanel’s inspiration.

Across the bar, Stephanie – along with Alex -- congratulated Brady on John’s imminent arrival home. Brady was relieved and grateful. His concern had transferred to Philip.

Later, Brady and Stephanie rejoined Paulina and made small talk about the evening. Paulina showed off her handiwork to Brady. He was at a loss for words and wondered what “fruit” Paulina had used for inspiration. “It’s…abstract,” Paulina offered.

Meanwhile, post-session, Chad commended Cat on her successful instruction. The two shared an awkward goodbye.

Johnny and Chanel made their way back to their new home. They marveled at the place…and the privacy, then quickly got to picking up where they left off and christening the quarters.

At the police station, Xander argued with an officer that he didn’t know anything about Philip’s assault. He demanded to be let go. The officer informed Xander he could go but cautioned him not to leave town.

At the Kiriakis mansion, an exhausted Sarah arrived home and greeted Maggie. Sarah told her mother about the attack on Philip and the extensive injuries he’d suffered. Maggie was shocked and questioned who could have done it. Sarah stunned her further by revealing Kate had suspected Xander. “I have a gut feeling she may be right,” Sarah confided.

Sarah admitted she had concerns when Maggie asked if she believed Xander could have committed the attack. Maggie filled Sarah in on her prior encounter with Xander, including Xander icing his hands. As the women pondered the possibility of Xander's guilt, Xander strolled through the door; intense looks were exchanged all around the room. Maggie granted Sarah the moment of privacy she requested and pointedly said she was going to visit Philip.

Later, at the hospital, Maggie took a seat beside Philip. She talked about the harsh things she’d said to him when they’d last spoken. Despite the friction between them, she wanted Philip to know that she loved him. “Just like your father, I can’t stay mad at you for very long,” Maggie tearfully affirmed. “And just like your father, you’re a fighter.”

Maggie compelled Philip to invoke his fighting spirit and come back to them. She tenderly kissed him on the forehead.

Back at the mansion, Sarah confronted Xander about Philip’s attack. Xander coldly stated, “Couldn’t have happened to a nicer guy.” He only asked if Philip had regained consciousness yet. Sarah was outraged by Xander’s indifference and implored that Philip had almost died. Xander professed his wish for that exact outcome.

Sarah asked Xander if he'd done it. Xander blew it off and said the police had questioned him but had no evidence. She grabbed his bruised hand, and he winced in pain. Sarah took the response -- along with Xander’s cold demeanor -- as an admission of guilt. She was disgusted and angrily inquired how he could have done something so “inhumane.”

When Sarah snapped, “I can’t even stand to look at you right now,” Xander took a gulp of his drink and icily replied, “Trust me, darling, the feeling is mutual.” Sarah started to protest, but Xander warned her not to “play stupid.” He’d thought it was beneath her, but he had been wrong. Xander pondered how Sarah could act so “self-righteous” when she’d been lying to him and "laughing" behind his back for months.

Xander challenged Sarah to admit she had known the truth about Philip’s deception and had kept it from him. She had watched Philip “play me for a damn fool” and said nothing. Xander asked if he’d missed anything, or if Sarah intended to continue lying to him. Sarah asked if Philip had tipped off Xander, before or after Xander had beaten him “to a pulp.”

Xander confirmed “someone” had said something that had made him think about all the times he’d seen Sarah and Philip in close conversation and the times Sarah had started to apologize for “lying.” Xander realized Sarah had concocted the story about Philip and Stephanie’s affair and had gotten Stephanie and Alex to play along. He mused who else had known, but Sarah owned it and said “the decision was mine and mine alone.”

Sarah regained her composure and stood firm as she confessed to everything. Xander asked how long she’d known, and Sarah admitted since shortly after the court hearing. She relayed the chain of events, from Stephanie finding out and telling her to her confrontation with Kate and Philip. Kate had convinced her that Victor would have wanted Philip to be part of the company, if not for Philip’s mental illness. “So your bleeding heart sided with the crazy person over your own husband?” Xander seethed.

It was about more than that, Sarah shot back. She’d also been worried about Xander going on a power trip and giving in to his “worst impulses.” She’d believed Philip could provide a needed check and balance. Xander sarcastically sneered that he was “touched” by Sarah’s faith in him. Sarah grew more impassioned as she reinforced how much she loved Xander and had wanted him to be there for their family...not in prison. Xander turned away briefly, seemingly affected by her words. But when she mentioned wanting him to be a “better person,” he turned back and harshly retorted that her feelings didn’t justify the months of lies.

Sarah defended that although she’d learned to accept Xander as he was, it didn’t mean that she was ignorant to the harm he was capable of inflicting. She’d agonized over keeping the truth from him. But Xander’s vicious beating of Philip had validated her every worry and had confirmed to her “I was right the entire time.” Xander scoffed about Sarah still claiming the “moral high ground” after what she’d done.

Sarah conceded it was wrong to lie. But she’d convinced herself that marriage and fatherhood would temper Xander’s violent nature. She reminded him of his recent history, which had included trying to kill Brady and pointing a gun at Philip’s head. “A part of me always knew a day like today would come,” Sarah said. Xander turned the tables and blamed Sarah for Philip’s “alleged” attack.

If Sarah had just trusted Xander and not allowed him to bond with Philip, he wouldn’t have taken the deception so hard. It was Sarah’s mistake. “The only mistake I ever made was believing you could be a decent person,” Sarah raged. She wanted him out of the house. Xander reminded her it was his house, and if he did leave, Victoria was coming with him. “Over my dead body,” Sarah hissed into Xander’s face.

Xander was incredulous that after what Sarah had done, she expected him to be separated from their daughter. Sarah did not relent as she bluntly stated she was not a violent person who beat people to within an inch of their lives. Victoria would be staying with her, and that was final. Xander relented but promised Sarah it was “far from over” before storming off. When he was gone, Sarah allowed the tears to fall.

Maggie came home to discover Sarah sobbing on the couch. Alarmed, she rushed to her daughter and asked what had happened. Sarah cried that Xander and she’d had a “blowout.” She knew he had assaulted Philip, and he knew she’d lied to him. They were “furious” with each other. “It’s over,” she lamented repeatedly before collapsing into Maggie’s arms.

Upstairs, Xander entered Victoria’s nursery. He sat beside his sleeping daughter and gently told her that although things would be different, his love for her would never change. He would always be there for her. “You are my light and my joy, Victoria,” Xander affirmed.

Sarah approached and quietly stood at the door as Xander continued. “Someone once told me that having a child is like living with your heart outside of your body.” Xander had deemed it “nonsense,” but he now knew the absolute truth of the sentiment. Although being away from Victoria would be the hardest thing he’d ever done, he’d stay strong. He vowed to always protect his little girl.

Tearing up anew, Xander kissed his fingers and placed them on Victoria, reiterating how much he loved her. He grew stone-faced when he turned and saw Sarah. She said she was sorry it had come to this moment.

“I’ll always love you, but I can’t live with you,” Sarah said with sadness. “Take care of our daughter; she’s all that matters now,” Xander responded, then brushed past her. On separate sides of the door, the spouses wore mutual looks of devastation.

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