Days of our Lives Recap, April 28, 2026: Stephanie tells Alex that they are not meant to be

On the Tuesday, April 28, 2026, episode of Days of our Lives, EJ asked Marlena for a favor, Chad questioned Theo about EJ, Stephanie was devastated by Alex’s news, and Jeremy worked to widen the gulf between Stephanie and Alex.

What Happened on Days of our Lives

EJ and Marlena had a tense chat | Image: Peacock

Chad ran into Marlena in the square, where Marlena told him that Kristen had barred Marlena from visiting Rachel. Chad offered to talk to Kristen, but Marlena declined, noting that most of the DiMera family had been good to her. Marlena added that although her history with Stefano had been painful, it had brought a lot of good into her life.

At the mansion, EJ told Cat about the change of executors for Stefano’s will. EJ added that the latest surprise was that Marlena had been named as a beneficiary. Cat asked EJ if he was hurt that Stefano had replaced him as executor. With a shrug, EJ said that it was part of a long list of times that Stefano had slighted him. EJ asked Cat to meet him for dinner.

When Marlena arrived, Cat left. Marlena noted that she had picked up a vibe between Cat and EJ. EJ stressed that Cat was his employee, but Marlena argued that EJ had been pursuing Cat since he had bid on her at the charity auction. EJ asked Marlena if she could help him recover memories of his past connection to Cat. Marlena reluctantly agreed. EJ told Marlena that she had been named as a beneficiary in Stefano’s will. Marlena noted that it was not the first time, but she did not think she would attend.

Theo had Stefano news

Abe was curious about Theo's news | Image: Peacock

Theo had breakfast with Abe at the pub and told his father that he had been named the executor of Stefano’s estate. Abe encouraged Theo to hand off the work to EJ, but Theo refused. Theo asked Abe to attend the reading, so Abe reluctantly agreed.

A wistful Abe noted that Lexie had been Stefano’s favorite, and her mother, Celeste, had been the only woman that Stefano had loved. “Besides Marlena,” Theo countered. Abe agreed, but he pointed out that Stefano had never had a child with Marlena.

After Abe left, Chad joined Theo. Chad asked why Theo had stepped down as CEO. Theo said he had lost his taste for the job. Curious, Chad asked Theo if EJ had convinced him to step down so that Johnny could take over. Theo stressed that it had been his decision and hated that everyone kept questioning him about it.

Chad changed the subject to EJ’s lab experiments, telling Theo that he believed Abigail had been in the pod. As Chad told Theo about his conversation with EJ, Cat walked into the pub. After Cat and Chad had an awkward exchange and she went to the bar, Theo changed the subject back to the pod. Theo cautioned Chad not to get his hopes up about Abigail. Chad was still suspicious.

Alex drops a bomb on Stephanie

Stephanie was stunned by what Alex had to say | Image: Peacock

In Alex and Stephanie’s apartment, Alex told Stephanie about his possible daughter. Stephanie was shocked to learn that Joy had lied about not being pregnant. Stephanie asked why Joy had come clean now. Alex explained that Joy had heard that Alex wanted to start a family, and she thought Alex might want to know about his child. Stephanie was angry that Alex had told people about his desire to have a family and that Joy had ambushed Alex.

When Alex explained that Joy had kept the secret to protect Alex and Stephanie’s relationship, Stephanie scoffed. Alex apologized for adding to Stephanie’s woes. “You got exactly what you wanted,” Stephanie snapped. Alex stressed that what he wanted was a child with Stephanie when she was ready. Alex added that despite that, he felt obligated to step up if the DNA proved he was the father.

When Alex argued that he had changed, Stephanie noted that she was the one that had changed him. Alex said he knew that Stephanie was overwhelmed, but he was no longer the kind of man that could walk away from his child. Stephanie noted that she had missed out on time with her father as a kid, and she did not want that for Alex’s daughter.

“I just don’t want to hurt you,” Alex said. Stephanie noted that she did not know if she would be able to give Alex a family, and that this baby felt like a sign that their relationship was not meant to be. Overwhelmed, Stephanie rushed out of the apartment.

Joy and Jeremy confer

Joy discussed her decisions with Jeremy | Image: Peacock

Joy met up with Jeremy at Small Bar, where she thanked him for advising her to tell Alex about Kelsey. Joy admitted she was surprised to have heard from Jeremy. Jeremy said that when Stephanie had mentioned that Alex had believed he had gotten Joy pregnant the previous year, he realized Alex was the father of Joy’s baby. Jeremy asked Joy why she had kept the secret. Joy explained that she had not wanted Nancy to know about the baby’s father.

Joy admitted that Jeremy was right when he said that Alex deserved to know about his child. Jeremy said he knew that Joy had wanted to protect Alex and Stephanie’s relationship. With a nod, Joy said she hoped that the revelation would not hurt Alex’s marriage. Jeremy agreed. Joy asked about Jeremy’s shared trauma with Stephanie.

Jeremy confessed that Stephanie had told him that Alex had been pressuring her to start a family, and he had thought that if Alex knew he had a child, he would back off of Stephanie. Suspicious, Joy asked Jeremy if he hoped that the baby would give him an opening to win Stephanie back. Jeremy asked Joy if she wanted the same thing with Alex. Joy said it did not matter what she wanted. Jeremy stressed that he only wanted to see Stephanie happy and did not believe that was possible with Alex.

Jeremy said Stephanie had confessed that she had not felt like she could talk to Alex about the kidnapping. Jeremy called Alex selfish. When Joy commented on Jeremy’s poor behavior when he had dated Stephanie, Jeremy agreed. Joy told Jeremy that the only thing she wanted was for Kelsey to get to know her father.

While Joy was pushing Kelsey’s stroller through the square, she ran into Alex in front of the inn. Alex said he had told Stephanie about Kelsey and it had not gone well. Alex asked to run the paternity test that day. In the park nearby, an emotional Stephanie ran into Jeremy. Stephanie told Jeremy about Kelsey. Jeremy feigned surprise. Stephanie cried in Jeremy’s arms.

Coming up on Days of our Lives

Chanel talks to Lani about her fears, Jeremy has an awkward moment with Stephanie, Alex asks Sarah for help, and Kristen pushes Sophia to move forward with their plan.

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