Days Recap: Days of our Lives Recap July 22: Xander Finds Holly...and Doubts Sarah’s Assumptions

In today’s Days of our Lives recap for July 22, 2026, Holly’s great escape doesn’t go as planned, Leo lends a helping hand or two, and EJ covers his tracks, while Cat remains hot on his trail.

Eyes Wide Shut

Kayla didn't approve of Cat's choice | Image: Peacock

In EJ’s hospital office, Kayla was greeted by Cat, who explained EJ wasn’t there. That was fine with Kayla, because she had wanted to talk to Cat. The chief of staff took a seat and made an offer: Cat could stay on at the hospital as the assistant of the hospital’s presumed new owner, Gwen. Cat was flattered, especially after learning that Marlena had recommended her, but she politely declined the invitation. She’d still be working for EJ.

Kayla did nothing to hide her feelings about Cat’s decision. Although Cat might have felt indebted to EJ, she had no idea of EJ’s true nature. Cat promised she was going into the new arrangement with “eyes wide open.” Kayla detailed how the board had found EJ’s dealings with Versavix unethical, which had led to their decision to oust him. Cat noted that negotiations with Gwen hadn’t been on EJ’s agenda.

Kayla couldn’t understand why Gwen hadn’t been in contact. When she suggested EJ might have done something to his business rival, Cat dismissed the suggestion. But right after Kayla left, the undercover ISA operative made a call to boss Andrew. She requested a trace on Gwen’s phone. Cat expressed confidence that by getting closer to EJ, she could bring the DiMera down once and for all.

All Work and No Play

At the DiMera mansion, EJ met with his other right-hand, Rita, and declared the business with setting up Holly done and successful. Rita believed EJ must feel some guilt about what he’d done to his former stepdaughter. EJ admitted the situation was unfortunate but necessary. Besides, he’d pay Holly back by helping her with Amy Choi’s lawsuit. EJ was pleased to learn from Rita that the well had been decontaminated, since disclosure of DiMera’s wrongdoing would send him to prison and the company into a tailspin.

When Rita brought up EJ being forced to negotiate with Gwen over the sale of the hospital, EJ pledged he would make the process as painful as possible for Gwen. Although times had been challenging, Stefano had always reminded him that the greatest fortunes could arise from adversity. Rita wasn’t so receptive after EJ told her Cat would become his personal assistant at DiMera Enterprises if the hospital purchase went through. EJ assured his most trusted employee that she was irreplaceable.

Rita wondered how “personal” EJ intended to make the assistant arrangement. EJ brushed off the insinuation. But after Rita departed, he primped in front the mirror in anxious anticipation of his upcoming meeting with Cat. Outside the door, a just-arrived Cat was likewise busy making herself look more attractive. When she entered the main room, EJ gave her a warm welcome and a big smile.

Unlikely Heroes

In Horton Town Square, Gabi spotted a dazed-looking Holly wandering in her direction. When Gabi approached, Holly claimed she had just been released from the hospital and quickly retreated. She gingerly made her way into the Salem Inn, where she literally stumbled into Leo, who had been trying in vain to summon Gwen.

After Holly collapsed into Leo’s arms, he settled her against the wall and surmised she had left the hospital against doctor’s orders, just as he had done. Leo suggested he take Holly back to the hospital or at least call Sarah, but Holly vehemently protested against contacting her aunt.

Leo said he would get Holly water, stepped away, and made a discreet call. Meanwhile, back in the square, Xander again tried to plead his innocence with the counterfeit bags. Gabi was having none of the excuses. The fraught conversation was interrupted when Xander got a call from a frantic Sarah. She told him Holly had gone missing from the hospital and asked him to search the square and then return home, in the event Holly might go back to the mansion.

After Xander ended the call, Gabi – who had overheard the exchange – told him she had seen Holly going into the Salem Inn. Xander promptly followed suit. Back in the inn, Holly called Leo a traitor after Gus arrived. Leo wasn’t too happy to see the EMT himself, but he implored Holly to let Gus check her out. As Gus examined Holly, she was happy to see Xander come upon the scene.

Holly told Xander Sarah had accused her once again of using drugs, and she swore she hadn’t taken anything. Gus wanted to take Holly back to the hospital, but she insisted she didn’t want to go back. Xander promised he would accompany her in the ambulance and advocate for her with Sarah. Holly finally agreed.

Crimes Against Fashion

Gabi and Leo gabbed about all things Holly, Xander, and Gwen | Image: Peacock

Following Holly’s departure, Leo went outside and saw Gabi. The duo swapped stories on their respective encounters with Holly. Leo credited himself as a “hero” in the situation. Soon, the topic turned to Gabi’s battle with the counterfeiters. Leo said he intended to meet with a source who might be able to provide them intel about the identity of the counterfeiters. It wasn’t necessary, according to Gabi, because she already knew the unscrupulous thief: “Mr. All Brawn and No Brains,” Xander Kiriakis.

Leo wasn’t so sure. Gabi reminded him of how Xander had set up Johnny to secure a big payday, and she had little doubt he’d done the same to her. Leo conceded Gabi’s theory was a possibility. Gabi only wished she could share her theory with Gwen, but the woman had mysteriously gone no-contact.

Leo relayed he’d had the same problems in talking to Gwen. She wasn’t even reading his texts to her. He seemed worried by the implication.

All Points Bulletin

Holly wanted nothing to do with Aunt Sarah | Image: Peacock

At the hospital, before her call to Xander, Sarah was comforted by Brady. But her alarm went into overdrive when she saw Holly’s empty room. Sarah and Brady made calls to Tate, Steve, and Shawn, as well as Xander, all in the hope of finding Holly. Sarah fretted that her niece had gone to score drugs because of how upset she'd been. What if she overdosed again?

A call from Xander stating that Holly was okay and on the way to the hospital allayed some of Sarah’s fears. But when Holly arrived, tensions quickly grew again, especially after Sarah took her niece to an examining room and Gus revealed that Holly had shown no signs of being high. He believed she had only been dehydrated. Holly threw the information in Sarah’s face, glad that someone had backed her up.

When Gus left, Holly’s anger escalated because Sarah still didn’t believe her. She demanded a new doctor. In frustration, Sarah asked if Holly would be willing to talk with anyone else. Aside from her mom and grandma, Holly could only think of two people currently in town: Xander or EJ. Once Sarah left the room, Holly broke down and asked aloud why no one believed she was telling the truth.

Meanwhile, at the nurses’ station, Xander asked Brady why Sarah was doubting Holly again. Brady updated him on the discovery of the pills in Holly’s bag. Xander challenged why they had abandoned the theory that EJ had been responsible for Holly’s condition. Since the initial tests on the water hadn’t shown Coriseal and since the well water had come back clean (after decontamination) on the second test, Brady had no choice but to reach the most logical conclusion: Holly had knowingly ingested the drug.

Xander still seemed hesitant to trust the official account. Sarah rejoined the men and told them Holly had thrown her out. Her revelation that Holly had requested to see him surprised Xander, but he readily agreed to the visit. Before he went to Holly’s room, Brady urged Xander to get Holly to admit she was using again. After all, Xander knew better than most that addicts were skilled liars.

Does Holly have an ally in Xander, or will she be forced to turn to her covert tormentor EJ? Did Xander double-cross Gabi, or might EJ be behind this prickly plot as well? And did the dastardly DiMera disappear Gwen? Sound off in the comments.