Days of our Lives Recap for Monday, October 28, 2024: Stefan was kidnapped by a familiar face

In Horton Town Square, Sarah was stunned to see Fiona sipping a martini at a table. When Sarah incredulously asked what Fiona was doing there, Fiona declared that the D.A. had dropped the charges and toasted her freedom. Sarah couldn’t believe the news, so Fiona filled her in on how her lawyer had convinced EJ not to proceed with the case. When Sarah wondered how that could have possibly happened, Fiona raised her glass and attributed her good fortune to Sarah. Fiona mocked Sarah’s confusion and reminded her daughter-in-law that Sarah had changed her story multiple times.

Fiona further scoffed that no jury would believe Sarah’s most current account. Sarah countered that it wouldn’t just be her word because Brady had remembered Fiona as the driver, too. Fiona snarked that Brady’s testimony would carry about as much weight as Sarah’s had. Fiona also brushed off her confessions because they had not been given to the police, and she had denied making them. With horror, Sarah realized that Fiona was free and clear.

An emotional Sarah asked Fiona what had happened to the woman who had claimed to love Sarah as her own daughter and who had shown so much warmth to Xander and Victoria. Fiona confessed that her “bravado” was a shield to keep herself from feeling the pain of Xander’s rejection. She hoped that one day, she could become the mother that Xander deserved. Before Sarah left, Fiona asked for a favor.

At the Kiriakis mansion, Justin stopped Xander from signing over Titan to Kristen and informed Xander that someone had filed an injunction. As Kristen seethed, Xander mused that a family member must have done the deed. Just then, Philip entered, and the newly reunited brothers shared a glare. Philip announced that he would keep Xander from throwing away their family legacy. He remembered how he had believed Alex to be his brother the last time he had been in town, and he asserted that even Alex had been a step up from Xander.

Philip chastised Xander for his willingness to give away their father’s company after only a few months at the job. He considered Xander's acquiescence to “Stefano’s degenerate daughter” an even greater insult and vowed to keep the deal from happening. Xander protested that Philip had no rights to Titan, but Philip countered that Xander was wrong. Kristen interrupted the argument and announced that she was leaving so the Kiriakis men could sort out their “family drama.” Xander pleaded with Kristen not to go and insisted again that Philip had no claim.

Kristen offered the first vial of the serum to Xander, told him to let her know when he was ready to make a deal for the second vial and departed. An angry Xander blasted Philip for his antics and reminded his brother that Victor had left him out of the will. Philip, in turn, reminded Xander that Victor had been trying to protect him then. The brothers continued to bicker about Philip’s rights. Philp pulled out a letter Victor had sent before his death.

Justin read the letter in which Victor apologized to Philip for the new will. Although Victor had wished to transfer Titan to Philip, Victor believed his hands were tied because Philip had been declared dead. Upon Xander’s inquiry, Justin confirmed that the letter could be used to contest the will. Xander desperately appealed to Philip’s sense of brotherhood and told him that Sarah’s ability to walk again depended on Titan. Philip firmly stated that there was “not a chance in hell” that he would drop the lawsuit.

Philip expressed skepticism that the serum would even work. He argued that it was not worth his father’s company even if it did. Philip then blamed Xander for Sarah’s condition as Xander had failed to realize his mother was a drunk who had “mowed down” Xander’s wife. An irate Xander lunged at Philip. Justin stepped between them, and Xander pledged that Philip would pay before storming out of the room. Justin condemned Philip’s harsh words, but Philip compelled Justin to admit that Victor would be horrified at the surrender of his family legacy to a sworn enemy.

Later, Sarah returned home and found Xander ruminating over the day’s events. His day got worse after Sarah informed him that Fiona had been released from jail. She then handed Xander a letter from his mother, in which Fiona apologized and stated her intention to leave town. While he absorbed the news, Xander prepared to tell Sarah about his encounter with Philip.

At John and Marlena’s place, Brady shared a hug with Eric and profusely thanked his brother for helping clear him. Both Eric and Brady were relieved that the real culprit had been identified. However, Brady still felt guilty that Fiona had been in the car because of him. Eric urged Brady to let his guilt go. Brady believed it might be easier since Sarah could be getting good news soon, courtesy of Kristen.

Brady explained to Eric about Rolf’s development of a serum and Kristen’s deal with Xander. Eric questioned Kristen’s claim that she would still honor the deal and deemed it “out of character.” Brady defended that Kristen had been “full of surprises” and got up to answer a knock at the door. It was Kristen.

Kristen came inside and made herself at home on the couch while Brady and Eric exchanged heartfelt goodbyes. Eric gave Kristen a less receptive goodbye before departing for the airport. Once Kristen was alone with Brady, she explained that she had stopped by to gift him a new car since she had had his old one destroyed.

Brady reluctantly accepted the gift and brought up Kristen’s overture to Xander and Sarah. Brady asked Kristen if she still intended to honor her deal since he had been released. Kristen demurred and implied that she would, but she did not mention the new terms of her agreement with Xander.

At the DiMera mansion, Stefan pledged to Stefano’s portrait that he would fight for his marriage. A masked man snuck up behind Stefan and choked him into unconsciousness. The man took off his mask to reveal Ivan, Vivian’s manservant. Just then, Vivian strode into the room and congratulated Ivan on a job well done. When Ivan called Vivian “Madam,” she insisted that given their years-long relationship, he should refer to her as “Vivian.”

Ivan rebuffed Vivian’s suggestion and deemed it inappropriate. She was grateful that she and Ivan were “in cahoots again,” and she instructed Ivan to ensure Stefan was still alive. Vivian bemoaned her “draconian tactics,” but Ivan reminded her that the plan had been for Stefan’s own good because Stefan had a “weakness” for Gabi. Vivian promised a still-unconscious Stefan that she would prevent him from falling victim to that “cuckolding shrew.”

Vivian scanned the divorce papers and scolded her son for surrendering too much to Gabi. Ivan talked “Madam” out of changing the terms of the agreement, as it would be risky. Vivian proudly claimed forgery as one of her “great talents,” signed the papers, and placed them in the envelope along with Stefan's wedding ring. Vivian acknowledged what a valuable asset Ivan had been to her, and the two made plans to ensure Stefan and Gabi remained apart.

Later, a bound Stefan regained consciousness in the trunk of a car. He looked up and was initially glad to see Ivan. His gratitude was short-lived after Stefan realized that his mother had arranged his kidnapping. He asked Ivan what Vivian intended to do, and Ivan explained that “Madam” wanted to send Stefan back to “the motherland” Alamainia so that he could be free from Gabi. Stefan struggled in vain against his restraints as Ivan closed the trunk.

At the Salem Inn, Philip met with Vivian and updated her on his talk with Xander. A pleased Vivian beamed about their plan going along smoothly. She stroked Philip’s face and proclaimed, “Soon, Titan will belong to us.”

At Rafe’s house, Gabi glumly stared at her wedding ring and heard a knock at the door. When she answered, she was delighted to see a smiling young man who called himself Cousin Javi. “I’m here, I’m queer, and Salem better get used to it,” he declared as Gabi hugged him. Gabi invited Javi inside, and the two joked about his penchant for “grand entrances.” Gabi gave her condolences for the passing of her aunt, who was Javi’s mother.

Javi told Gabi that his mother hadn’t suffered. He noticed an engagement ring on the table, and Gabi informed him that his mother had gifted the ring to Rafe. Javi was unsurprised, as he’d felt Rafe was the son his mother had wanted “instead of the one she got.” Gabi tried to assure Javi that his mother had not intended the gift to be a “slight” to him, but Javi wasn’t so sure. He turned the topic to the ring on Gabi’s finger and admired her “bling.” Gabi sadly stated that she wouldn’t be wearing it for long because she was getting a divorce.

Gabi filled Javi in on the details of her and Stefan’s break-up. Javi grinned and compared it to an episode of Real Housewives, but he quickly apologized after he saw Gabi’s hurt expression. Gabi admitted that she was still in love with Stefan. Javi reassured Gabi she was not "pathetic" for feeling that way and reminded her that “the heart wants what it wants.” He encouraged her not to give up on her marriage if she still loved Stefan.

Gabi thanked Javi for providing a listening ear, and she was ecstatic to learn that he intended to move to Salem for a fresh start. When Javi mentioned that he needed to find a job, Gabi offered him a position as her new assistant at Gabi Chic. After she gave him a shortened version of what had happened with her previous assistant, Javi gladly accepted the offer and Gabi’s invitation for him to move in with her and Rafe. Javi noticed an envelope on the doorstep when he went outside to get his bags from his car.

Gabi opened the envelope and dejectedly confirmed the documents inside were her divorce papers. Javi prodded Gabi to call Stefan and tell him she wanted another chance. However, Gabi noticed something else was inside the envelope. After she shook it, Stefan’s ring slid out. She assumed Stefan had made up his mind and declared the marriage officially over. Javi comforted her with a hug.