Things are getting rather tangled for our favorite Salemites, and believe me, you won’t want to miss a single twist!
At the Pub, a smitten Javi pours his heart out to Steve about his growing bond with little Tesoro. He’s finding it harder and harder to imagine saying goodbye when the time comes for adoption. Steve, ever the voice of reason (and perhaps a touch of wishful thinking on Javi’s behalf?), suggests that maybe Tesoro is destined to stay with him for good. Oh, the joy – and the heartache – that would bring!
Meanwhile, Sophia is in a right state! She’s practically bursting into Melinda’s office, desperate to know if Brady has been sniffing around the adoption lawyer. Melinda, that crafty lawyer, offers Sophia a solution that’s as complicated as it is potentially disastrous. She proposes drawing up adoption papers for Sophia to pass along to Tate, claiming the baby is a girl in a semi-open adoption designed to protect the identities of everyone involved. All communication would be handled through a third party.
Melinda tries to reassure Sophia that as long as they keep their tracks covered, Tate and Brady will be none the wiser. Sophia, bless her heart, knows adoption is truly the best option for her baby, but the whole situation is ripping her apart. And wouldn’t you know it, Javi, sweet Javi, decides to pop into Melinda’s office just then, Tesoro in tow. Talk about a close call!
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Will Javi’s Past Haunt His Future?
Sophia, understandably, makes a rather hasty exit. Javi explains to Melinda that he’s exploring his options before he tells anyone else. He wants to know the chances of him and Leo adopting Tesoro and raising him right here in Salem.
Melinda, ever the pragmatist, isn’t exactly encouraging. Questioning Leo’s rather colorful past and their legal standing as a couple, she advises Javi that he’d stand a better chance as a single father. Of course, a thorough background check would be mandatory, which leads Javi to nervously confess to a secret he’s kept hidden. Loyal viewers will recall he once had another child who passed away. An empathetic Melinda doesn’t immediately see this as a deal-breaker, but admits there would need to be an investigation into the child’s death. This, naturally, is what Javi was fearing. He leaves the office, heartbroken and terrified.
Brady Closes In on the Truth
Over at the penthouse, Tate is reeling from the realization that the perfectly posed picture of the adoptive parents came with the frame! Brady, never one to let something slide, adds fuel to the fire by suggesting that his grandchild might not even be a girl! He urges Tate to demand adoption papers from Sophia while he takes the suspicious photo to Steve.
Steve, our resident private investigator, confirms that Sophia lifted the “family” photo straight from a stock image website. Adding more fuel to the fire, Steve reveals that while Kayla couldn’t break confidentiality, she strongly suggested that he continue investigating. And then, quite coincidentally, Steve mentions running into Javi with Tesoro. “You don’t think…?” Brady starts to say, but the timeline doesn’t match. Brady, in a fit of despair, feels as though he’s failed his son. Steve, a true friend, reassures him otherwise. He promises to support Brady, reminding him that’s what his father would do. How touching!
Meanwhile, in the Square, Tate manages to corner Sophia and, to his surprise, she agrees to provide him with a copy of the adoption papers. Is she playing into his hands, or will the truth finally come to light?
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Chad Finds a New Love, But Will It Last?
After that rather awkward interruption by Rachel during Chad and Cat’s putt-putt date, and with the children safely delivered elsewhere, Chad accompanies Cat home. She’s concerned that Rachel saw their kiss. Chad, however, doesn’t think they would have ever heard the end of it if she had. Cat, understandably, assumes Chad sees the kiss as a mistake. Chad swiftly corrects her, revealing that his only regret is that he didn’t admit his feelings for her sooner.
Chad explains that he initially confused his feelings with those he still carries for Abigail, but as he and Cat grew closer, he realized he cared for her as more than just a friend. A flustered Cat wonders if they can move past the obstacles and give a real relationship a try. Chad, still burdened by the past, worries about Jack and Jennifer’s reactions, leading Cat to interpret this as rejection.
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Cat opens the door, signaling Chad’s departure, but Chad shuts it firmly. He confesses that he never thought he could form such a strong connection with anyone after Abigail, but he feels it with her. He comes with a lot of baggage, and they’ll need to be careful because of the children, in-laws, and especially Julie. It’s something they will both need to consider. But, in the present moment, all he desires to do is kiss her…and so he does! Finally!
Nightmares, Snakes, and Salem Gossip!
After Marlena awakens from a Queen of the Night nightmare, she’s horrified to find Rachel’s snake, S’mores, in her bed. Once the serpentine crisis is averted and S’mores is safely back in his terrarium, Rachel visits, expressing her fear of facing bullies at school because of her mother shooting Uncle EJ. However, she quickly pivots to the juicy gossip she just witnessed, revealing, “Uncle Chad kissing that blonde lady. The one who pretended to be Thomas’ dead mom!”
Marlena gently reminds her granddaughter that it’s none of their business who Chad spends his time with and that she should keep it to herself. Rachel, with an oh-so-innocent smile plastered across her face, promises, “No one will hear a peep from me about Cat and Uncle Chad kissing.” Do you, dear viewers, trust that face? I, for one, have my doubts.
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Coming Up on Days:
In tomorrow’s episode, we’ll see Chad and Cat navigating the reactions from Salem. And will Ari and Aaron get to know each other better?
Until next time, keep watching, darlings, because the drama continues as only it can in Salem!
