Days of our Lives Recap, September 24, 2025: Sophia vows to make Johnny pay 

On Days of our Lives today, Wednesday, September 24, 2025, Julie helps a friend in need, Stephanie struggles to keep her secret from Kayla, while Theo keeps his own secret from Abe.

What Happened on Days of our Lives

At Foster’s bookstore, Foster warmly welcomed Abe to the tutoring program. Abe anticipated meeting his new mentee, whom Abe understood had experienced a “difficult life.” Julie offered to let Abe tutor his mentee at the bookstore. Foster informed Abe that Julie was the new owner of the establishment. He handed the key to the place over to a beaming Julie.

Abe congratulated Julie on the acquisition and took his leave. Afterward, Julie asked Foster how he was feeling about leaving the bookstore. Foster called it “bittersweet,” as the bookstore had been his life for so long. He credited people like Julie with helping it stay open, and he felt it would be in the best hands with her. Julie gave the credit back to Foster and cited his passion and enthusiasm for his work.

Foster brought Julie up to speed on his plans to move as soon as he sold his house. She got concerned after her friend grew lightheaded. Julie’s concern turned to alarm when Foster suddenly clutched his head and fainted into a chair.

At Stephanie’s apartment, Kayla helped Stephanie pack for her move-in with Alex. Kayla questioned if Stephanie had any doubts. Stephanie brushed off the question and stated if things didn’t work out, she could simply move back into her apartment. When Stephanie expressed reticence about her relationship with Alex blowing up like all her previous relationships, Kayla urged her daughter to trust in Alex and, more importantly, to trust in herself.

Stephanie panicked after Kayla caught sight of a paper advertising a “blog tour” on the desk. She quickly made up an excuse that the advertisement was for one of her “author clients.” Stephanie explained the concept of a blog tour and its usefulness for writers using a pseudonym. Kayla gasped when she saw the author in question was “Anastasia Sands.” She was confused because she had believed Stephanie was representing a mystery novelist.

Stephanie claimed “Anastasia” as her client and told Kayla about the upcoming new book release. She had to fend off Kayla’s attempts to ask about Anastasia’s identity. Stephanie said she — along with Kayla — had to get to work at the hospital and breathed a big sigh of relief when she successfully navigated Kayla off the subject of “Anastasia.”

Later, at the hospital, Julie paced in the waiting area. Kayla and Stephanie approached, and Julie told the women about her friend Foster's medical crisis and her frustration with not receiving any answers from the staff. Kayla left to get an update for Julie, while Stephanie stayed behind to offer comfort. The ladies got to talking about the opening of the Dr. Thomas Horton Free Clinic after Stephanie mentioned she could work while waiting with Julie. Stephanie agreed that she shared some of Julie’s reservations about EJ’s involvement, but those concerns were overridden by the benefit the clinic could provide the community.

Stephanie broached the subject of Julie playing a large role in the gala she had planned for the clinic’s opening. Stephanie wanted a strong Horton presence on hand. Julie agreed it would be nice to bring the family together again for a big reunion. She mentioned that at least one family member would be arriving in town imminently to begin a new job. When Julie revealed that family member to be Stephanie’s ex, Jeremy, Stephanie blanched.

In an examining room, Kayla examined Foster and attributed his fainting spell to a sudden drop in blood pressure. She cajoled him about not following up on a treatment plan for his chronic kidney disease. Foster wanted to avoid dialysis, but he seemed to heed Kayla’s advice to explore treatment options for the sake of his family. Foster said his son would be coming to town for a visit, and Kayla later shared the good news of Foster’s recovery with Julie.

When she returned to the room, Kayla advised Foster that they would need to monitor his blood pressure. Therefore, her patient would have to postpone his planned move because he couldn’t travel on a plane. Foster was not averse to spending more time in Salem…or at the bookstore.

At the Brady Pub, Paulina and Theo prepared to order their meal, which prompted both to joke about Abe’s lack of cooking skills. Theo admitted he was glad for a moment alone with Paulina because he wanted her advice. He clarified that the advice was “professional” in nature because Tony had offered him an “executive position” at DiMera Enterprises. Theo worried about becoming a “nepo baby,” but Paulina sang her stepson’s praises as a businessman. She encouraged Theo to accept the offer and called it “fate.”

Theo wasn’t so confident his dad would be as enthusiastic as Paulina. Abe and Lexie had always been “adamant” about keeping Theo away from the DiMera family business. Paulina countered that the DiMeras with questionable ethics were out of the business, including Theo’s “Nonno.” Theo confided that he was “flattered” by Tony’s offer, but he still leaned toward rejecting it. He agreed with his dad that the best way to honor his mom’s memory was to live his life as a Carver.

Theo knew Abe worried about the DiMeras “corrupting” him. Paulina proposed that instead of DiMera changing Theo, her stepson could change DiMera…for the better. She compelled him to make his own independent decision. When Abe arrived, though, Theo remained mum on the DiMera issue.

The topic of conversation turned to Abe’s mentoring role in the literacy program. Paulina briefed Theo on Abe’s mentee. The man had been arrested for stealing a car and was participating in the program as part of his plea deal. Abe wondered if Theo knew the man, as both Theo and he had graduated from Salem High around the same time. Abe revealed the man’s name as “Liam Selejko,” and Theo tensed.

“Jerk made my life a living hell,” Theo proclaimed. He explained that Liam had bullied him relentlessly for being “weird” and for having a cop/mayor as a father. Abe was aghast that Theo had never told him about the bullying, but Theo credited standing up for himself as a kid to his growth as an adult. Paulina immediately soured on the idea of Abe taking on Liam as a mentee, both because of what the boy had done to Theo and because of his criminal activities.

Abe explained more of Liam’s backstory: namely, that both the boy’s parents had gone to prison and that Liam had graduated from high school “functionally illiterate.” If Theo was okay with it, Abe wanted to help set the young man on a more promising path. Abe spotted a former co-worker and left the table to say hello. Once they were alone again, Paulina questioned why Theo hadn’t said anything about Tony’s job offer. Theo wanted more time to think the offer over and didn’t want to have a fight with his dad about it if Tony proved unsuccessful in getting the company back.

At Johnny and Chanel’s place, the couple busily “baby-proofed” their apartment. They were giddy at the prospect of Baby Tesoro becoming their son. Johnny suggested that he and Chanel finish filling out the adoption application. As they sat down to finish the paperwork online, Johnny again fretted about his spotty job history. Chanel gave him another pep talk about the plentiful options he had for work, and one day, he could even fulfill his dream of directing a movie in LA.

Johnny took Chanel’s hand and declared his current dream was becoming a dad and building a family with his wife. Chanel had every confidence that the social worker who would be evaluating them and their home would see they were “solid.” She assuaged Johnny’s concerns about their busy schedules and about his family name.

Chanel deemed her husband a “strong, loving” man who would make a great dad. When Johnny suggestively advised that they take a break from the application, Chanel jokingly reminded him that they needed to buy a crib before the social worker’s visit.

In Melinda’s office, Sophia stormed inside and told Melinda they had a big problem, namely “Johnny DiMera.” Melinda unsuccessfully tried to calm Sophia, but Sophia launched into a rant about being “stuck” with Johnny as a professor after he had “ruined” her life. She filled Melinda in on Johnny and Chanel’s intention to adopt her baby. Sophia pledged that the outcome could “never happen.”

Melinda reassured Sophia that Chanel and Johnny securing the baby was far from a done deal. Sophia argued that Johnny’s standing as a member of a powerful family alongside Chanel’s connections as the daughter of the mayor could tip the scales in their favor. Sophia railed against Johnny “bailing out” of the adoption last time. She didn’t believe he was suddenly ready to be a dad again, and she cast doubt on his character in the wake of the attempted murder trial. Melinda pressed Sophia to admit her reservations extended beyond Johnny.

Sophia conceded that she was also afraid of the baby being so close, especially after her mother had made the remark about a family resemblance to the baby. Melinda gently reminded Sophia that she didn’t get a say in the adoption. “The hell I don’t!” Sophia exclaimed. She considered it her obligation as the baby’s mother to ensure her son didn’t end up with “those awful people.” Melinda attempted again to dissuade Sophia and to get her to move on, to no avail.

Sophia pleaded for Melinda’s help in keeping Johnny and Chanel away from the baby. Melinda reluctantly suggested she could expose Paulina for abusing her mayoral authority and intervening in the adoption process. Sophia said she didn’t want to punish Paulina. Johnny was the problem – “and he’s the one who should be punished.” Melinda sternly cautioned Sophia not to talk that way. Sophia coolly responded that Melinda should relax, because “I’m only going to make him wish he were dead.”

Later, in Horton Town Square, Sophia stopped in her tracks when she saw Johnny and Chanel fresh off a baby supplies shopping spree. As the couple celebrated and planned for the future, Sophia shot them daggers with her eyes.

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