Days of our Lives Recap, October 21, 2025: Abe continued to lash out at Paulina

Here’s your Days of our Lives recap for what happened on Tuesday, October 21, 2025, when EJ badgered Belle, Theo reached out to Xander, Abe held a grudge, and Marlena made a diagnosis.

What happened on Days of our Lives

EJ deliver flowers to Belle at the penthouse on her birthday. “I’m not trying to worm my way back into your life. I just know that this birthday will be bitter sweet. It’s the first one since your father passed, and I wanted to bring you some good cheer,” EJ said. Belle reluctantly invited EJ in. As Belle arranged the flowers, EJ complained about what Sophia had done to Johnny.

“She broke the law, and she needs to be held accountable!” EJ said. Belle rolled her eyes. EJ argued that Sophia had methodically schemed to ruin the lives of Johnny and Tate, and he asked Belle to defend her nephews. Suspicious, Belle asked EJ if Johnny knew that EJ was asking her to go after Sophia. EJ looked away.

“Your son pushed you out of his life for a reason. He doesn’t want you fighting his battles for him,” Belle said. When EJ argued that Sophia might cost Johnny the chance to adopt a child, Belle reminded EJ that he was the reason the first adoption had fallen through.

“You’re not really in a position to be pointing fingers at anyone,” Belle said. EJ started to lecture Belle on the requirements of her job, and she cut him off. “This is my job, not yours. And that’s for a reason,” Belle said. Belle refused to abuse the power of her office. Belle threw EJ out.

After Philip and Gabi had sex at the Salem Inn, he checked his phone. Philip noted that Xander had called. “It was so worth it,” Philip said as he looked at Gabi. Gabi curled up next to Philip. “You’re on a roll girl. All this great sex and you got Gabi Chic back,” Philip said. A guilty look crossed Gabi’s face. “That is true,” Gabi said. Philip asked what was wrong. “Isn’t that all you ever wanted?” Philip asked. “At one point it was. Now I realize that I want so much more,” Gabi said.

In the Titan-DiMera CEO office, Xander left a voicemail for Philip. Xander yelled that he needed Philip’s help. “Maybe I could lend a hand?” Theo said as he walked into the office. Theo explained that Tony had encouraged him to help with the transition. “How could you possibly help me?” Xander asked. Theo explained that his tech company had divested from another, and he had handled the restructuring of the business. Xander attempted to dismiss Theo as inexperienced, and Theo chuckled.

“Rather than be at odds, I’d like to make the best of it. Working together to do what we need to do and then go our own separate ways with no hard feelings,” Theo said. “Are you for real?” Xander countered. Theo noted that although the long history between the two families had been uncivil, he wanted to change that.

“Are you always this earnest?” Xander asked. “Yeah, I am,” Theo said. Xander narrowed his eyes in thought. “So, a decent person has been named CEO of DiMera Enterprises. Why?” Xander said. Theo explained that Tony understood that Theo had integrity. Xander scoffed. Theo stressed that although he did not fight like his uncles, he could fight if need be. “I get it. People are shocked that I got the job. Some are happy. Others not so much,” Theo said. Curious, Xander asked who was upset. Theo named Gabi.

Philip walked in with Gabi. “[Theo] was just telling me how upset Gabi is that he was named CEO of DiMera,” Xander said. Xander asked Gabi why. Gabi lied and said she had been disappointed that Tony had not told her about Theo first. “Anyway, you guys have Titan, Theo has DiMera, and I have Gabi Chic. All’s well that ends well,” Gabi said. Gabi offered to walk Theo out so that they could discuss Gabi Chic.

After Gabi left with Theo, Xander said, “Anything you want to tell me about?” Philip admitted that he and Gabi had been attracted to one another, and they had acted on it since she was no longer his boss. “Is that a problem?” Philip asked. Xander stressed that he was only interested in Sarah.

“Speaking of, thank you again for covering for me. If Sarah found out that I was the one who assaulted you, she’d never want anything to do with me again,” Xander said. “You don’t need to keep thanking me. It’s over. Moving on,” Philip stressed. With a sigh, Xander admitted that he was consumed with guilt. “Every time Sarah tries to apologize to me for even thinking that I was the one that beat you up, I just feel this massive urge to come clean,” Xander said. Philip counseled Xander to ignore that urge and fix his marriage. With a grin, Xander noted, “You and Gabi do look good together.” Philip smiled sheepishly.

Gabi and Theo walked over to the pub and sat on the bench outside. “You can’t tell anyone that I thought Tony was going to make me CEO of DiMera,” Gabi said. “Why not?” Theo asked. Gabi admitted that she had bugged Xander’s office. “And if [Philip] finds out that you spied on him and his brother, it might end your relationship before it even started,” Theo said. Gabi nodded yes.

Gabi stressed that she had been sincere when she had apologized for questioning Theo’s qualifications. “I was angry,” Gabi said. “And ignorant,” Theo added. Gabi agreed. Theo told Gabi that she was lucky that he was not one of the vindictive DiMeras. Theo agreed to keep quiet. When Gabi returned to Titan, Philip asked her out on a date.

Paulina met up with Abe at the cafe in the square. As Paulina complained about a particularly chatty council member, Abe suggested she listen to the man. Stunned, Paulina asked why. “You’re so fond of giving unsolicited advice, I thought I’d return the favor,” Abe said. “How long are you going to stay mad at me because your son took a job that you disapprove of?” Paulina asked. Abe argued that Paulina had encouraged Theo.

“I did not encourage anything. I simply told Theo that he’s a grown man who should make his own decisions,” Paulina said. Furious, Abe told Paulina that she should have told him Theo’s plans. “Theo told me not to say anything, and I didn’t want to betray his trust,” Paulina said. “You betrayed mine instead,” Abe said. Paulina was taken aback. Abe argued that Theo was not up to the task of running DiMera, and he wished Paulina had not given him advice.

“I have never been shy about saying what I believe. I thought that was one of the things you love about me,” Paulina said. Abe said he disagreed in this instance. Abe argued that Theo was vulnerable after his breakup.

“But isn’t it good that he’s starting fresh?” Paulina asked. Paulina pointed out that Theo would be the first black, autistic CEO. “What makes you think he can handle that pressure?” Abe asked. “What makes you think he can’t?” Paulina countered. Paulina asked Abe to have faith in his son.

“You gave him advice that you know I never would. What would you think if I did that to your daughter?” Abe asked. “I would trust that you were coming from a good place,” Paulina said. When Paulina said she was sorry that Abe was upset, he noted that she was not sorry for her actions. “I did what I thought was right,” Paulina said. “But you are wrong,” Abe growled. Abe walked away.

Marlena consulted with Sarah at the hospital about Sophia’s case. “Sophia’s had a complete psychological break,” Marlena said. Marlena recommended that Sophia be sent to Bayview. Sarah admitted that she felt bad for having added to Sophia’s stress, but Marlena reminded Sarah that she had had an ethical obligation to ensure that the baby was safe. Sarah said that she had been in Sophia’s shoes, and she understood how Sophia had felt.

“Having to keep a secret to protect one person when you know that the truth would set someone else free, it’s such a heavy burden,” Sarah said. Marlena agreed. When Sarah encouraged Marlena to go home and rest, Marlena guessed that Belle had told Sarah that Marlena had passed out during the blackout. “She’s just worried about you. And so am I,” Sarah said. Marlena said that she believed her problem was psychological.

“Passing out is not in your head. Something had to have caused that,” Sarah said. “Grief. I’m mourning the loss of my husband,” Marlena said. With a nod, Sarah ceded that Marlena was more of an authority for the diagnosis. Marlena said she needed to process her emotions and that it would take time.

When Marlena returned home, she noticed EJ’s flowers. With a groan, Belle explained that EJ had used the flowers as an excuse to harass her about prosecuting Sophia. Marlena mentioned that she had spoken to Sarah. Belle said that she needed to be sure that Marlena was okay. “You are not going to lose me,” Marlena promised.

Sarah met up with Xander at his apartment, and she asked him to move into the guest room so that they could work on their marriage. “I will happily take any room if it means I get to be close to my girls. Thank you,” Xander said. “Everything is out in the open now. No more secrets. No more lies. I really think that we can rebuild the trust between us and put our family back together,” Sarah said. As Sarah hugged Xander, a look of guilt covered his face.

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