Days Recap: Days of our Lives Recap, February 23, 2026: Stephanie’s stalker makes his move

On Days of our Lives today, Monday, February 23, 2026, Johnny delivers joyous news to Bonnie, while Steve and Jada’s best-laid plans go horribly awry.

What happened on Days of our Lives

Stephanie and Alex Days of our Lives. \Image: Peacock

At Alex and Stephanie’s apartment, the couple got a final run-down from Jada about their plan to catch the stalker. While Alex went with an undercover officer (who resembled Stephanie) to the courthouse, Stephanie would be safely tucked away in Kayla’s hospital office. A guard would be posted outside the office door for an extra layer of protection. Jada also apprised the duo that she had provided a photo of Jeremy to the officer for identification purposes.

After Jada left, Alex and Stephanie anxiously awaited the implementation of the plan. Alex took the opportunity to remind Stephanie of how much he loved her. She returned the sentiment. Both were glad that they had decided to make it official by eloping early.

In a darkened room, the stalker – who had been listening to the entire exchange – slammed his laptop shut in anger.

Johnny propositions Bonnie

Bonnie and Johnny on Days of our Lives. \Image: Peacock

At the Kiriakis mansion, Bonnie happily greeted Johnny. He brightened her day even more by revealing he had stopped by to discuss the novel Bonnie had written. A giddy Bonnie asked Johnny what he and the publishing division heads had thought of the book. Johnny talked about the risk for DiMera since they had traditionally published only non-fiction. But as Bonnie grew increasingly impatient, he acknowledged that he had found the book “exciting”…and that DiMera would like to publish it.

Bonnie yelped in delight and thanked Johnny. The conversation turned awkward for him after Bonnie excitedly pitched her marketing plan, which included complimentary fluffy handcuffs with book purchases. She also offered an additional pair for Johnny and Chanel and asked how Johnny’s wife had felt after reading One Rainy Afternoon. Johnny admitted that Chanel had been too busy to read it yet.

When Bonnie asked how much she would be offered for the rights to publish her work, Johnny handed her a contract and stressed that the compensation was essentially set in stone. As the negotiations commenced, Justin entered the room. He congratulated Bonnie after hearing the happy news and then advised his wife that Johnny was likely not budging on the price tag as a negotiation tactic. Johnny argued the company had a limited window and that an extended negotiation could delay the release.

Bonnie said she’d take the deal because she didn’t want to wait for publication. Alex soon joined the festivities and likewise gave his congrats to Bonnie, who lightly cajoled her stepson about Titan turning her down. After Johnny briefly stepped outside to take a call, Alex filled his dad and Bonnie in on the impromptu elopement. The couple was surprised, as they’d believed Alex and Stephanie wanted a big wedding, but they ultimately expressed happiness for Alex. Justin still had reservations about the staged elopement jeopardizing Alex’s safety, but Alex promised his dad that everything would go smoothly.

Johnny returned and posed a question about finalizing Trey’s adoption to Justin. The lawyer assured Johnny that the process should be hassle-free. Justin reminisced about adopting his sons, Joe and Vic, only to find out a short time later that Adrienne had been pregnant with Sonny. When Bonnie commented about the phenomenon of adoptive parents later announcing a pregnancy becoming more commonplace, Johnny confided that Chanel and he could relate because Chanel was pregnant. A new round of congratulations was exchanged – during which Bonnie almost let it slip about Alex’s new marriage – and the Kiriakises pledged to Johnny that they would keep news of the pregnancy under wraps.

Before Johnny left, he mentioned a person lurking outside. Alex only said the person, who was his guard, was with him. Alex also privately congratulated Johnny on Chanel’s pregnancy.

The Johnsons wait and worry

Steve and Kayla on Days of our Lives. \Image: Peacock

In Kayla’s hospital office, Kayla lamented to Steve about how she should have recognized the warning signs with Jeremy during his relationship with Stephanie. Steve consoled her and affirmed that she should not feel guilty. He also acknowledged that Jeremy, although unlikely, could be innocent. Kayla hoped – for the Hortons’ sake – that he wasn’t guilty.

Soon thereafter, Stephanie arrived and embarked on her own guilt trip. She believed that if she had never written a book centered in part on her prior relationship with Jeremy, he would have never come back to Salem and upended her life. This time, Steve and Kayla joined forces to comfort their daughter and to urge her not to blame herself. Steve reassured the women that he and Jada had all the bases covered, and he departed to meet with the commissioner.

Stephanie told Kayla that she planned to use her time in the office to work on a press release for EJ, who had wanted to tout his successes with the clinic and with the hospital. Kayla begrudgingly admitted that EJ had done a good job so far with the clinic’s launch. Stephanie then introduced her mom to the cop who would be posted outside. Kayla thanked the man and bid her daughter an uneasy goodbye.

Jada is outmaneuvered, as the stalker strikes

Jada on Days of our Lives. \Image: Peacock

At the police station, Jada scanned footage on her computer and exclaimed in shock. Later, when Steve came on the scene, she showed him the footage, which was a surveillance video from Halloween night. It apparently displayed someone dressed in a scientist’s costume attempting to stab Alex. Steve recalled that Jeremy had been wearing the exact costume that night. Jada claimed the new evidence was enough to make an arrest.

Jada planned to have Jeremy apprehended at the school where he taught. Steve worried about the impact on the kids if they witnessed their teacher being arrested. He suggested waiting until school had dismissed, and Jada concurred. Later, Steve called Kayla and then Stephanie to update them on Jeremy’s impending arrest. He also texted Alex and declared that the courthouse sting was no longer necessary.

Jada returned with unsettling news. Jeremy wasn’t at the school, and his whereabouts were unknown.

Back at the hospital, Stephanie’s guard said to let him know immediately if she needed anything. She thanked him as he went outside. Later, a person dressed in scrubs entered the office. Stephanie assumed the visitor wanted Kayla, and she told the person her mom was on rounds.

The masked man pretended to leave. When Stephanie became preoccupied with her work, however, he snuck up behind her and placed a cloth over her mouth. She struggled and called out Jeremy’s name.

Meanwhile, a nurse informed Kayla about a patient. Kayla went to check on the patient. Afterwards, she lifted a bedsheet with a body underneath it. To her astonishment, the body belonged to Stephanie’s guard.