Days Recap: Days of our Lives Recap, June 29: Lexie’s New Lease on Life Has an Expiration Date

In today’s Days of our Lives recap for June 29, 2026, Chanel began chemotherapy, Xander juggled two investigations, Gwen and Kristen commiserated about their mutual EJ problem, and Rolf delivered devastating news.

Debt Collectors on Days of our Lives

The brothers Kiriakis puzzled over a corporate mystery. \Image: Peacock

At the Titan offices, Xander and Philip tried to figure out who had paid off their massive debt. Names like Maggie and Gabi came up, but the brothers dismissed all the possibilities because moving so much funds would attract attention. “Unless it was you,” Xander accused. Philip didn’t react well to Xander’s implication and claimed he was done with the less scrupulous side of the family business. He bristled after Xander reminded him of the fraud he’d committed not that long ago.

Xander got a reminder of his own recent misdeeds – namely, almost beating Philip to death. The brothers called a truce and got back to the matter at hand. The mystery intensified when Xander received a call informing him that the bank had sold Titan’s loan to an entity called ARO Wealth Management. It seemed the mysterious organization made a killing from buying other companies’ debt. Xander vowed they would find out who was behind the potentially harmful maneuver.

Later, at the bookstore, Gwen approached Philip as he was browsing the self-help section. She joked about his reading choices, then admitted she knew about his troubles with Gabi from Gabi herself. Gwen told him Gabi had acknowledged her wrongdoing and her remorse. Perusing the selections, Gwen indicated she was an old pro at self-help (especially of the relationship variety) and offered to help Philip find a book that would work for him. Philip snarked that Gwen’s tastes probably ran toward wine and revenge, but Gwen chose a serious selection: So Long, Soulmate.

After some light bantering about the title, Philip pondered Gwen’s foray into self-help. Gwen confessed she’d been hurt many times in life and in love. When Philip asked if she counted his brother among her failures, Gwen deadpanned, “The jury’s still out on Xander.”

EJ’s Fallen Angels

Kristen and Gwen had a DiMera death threat in common. \Image: Peacock

Before her encounter with Philip, Gwen stopped by the DiMera mansion and caught up with Kristen, who was pleased as punch to hear that Gwen had bested EJ by making an offer on the hospital. Gwen groused that her revenge could leave her in literal ashes, courtesy of EJ. Kristen could relate to being the target of her brother’s ire, but she was most worried about EJ striking out at her through Rachel.

Kristen appeared somewhat contrite after Gwen apologized for accusing her of sleeping with Xander, but the fleeting feeling did not stop her from later meeting with Xander for a rendezvous at the Salem Inn. Xander let his displeasure be known that EJ had outed Kristen and him to Sarah. Kristen blew it off, made a comment about all of Salem soon knowing about their scandalous dalliance, and then tried to seduce him into a better mood.

Xander put a damper on the festivities, though, by revealing he wanted to talk about DiMera Pharmaceuticals and their association with the suspect narcotic. Kristen mused that the drug was subject to intensive scrutiny and its absence from the records would not have gone unnoticed. Xander, with Kristen’s help, realized a second file containing the information they needed had to be out there somewhere. He praised Kristen’s ingenuity and decided they would celebrate in their usual manner: on the bed.

Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow?

Days of our Lives' Abe made a confession to Lexie. \Image: Peacock

At Abe’s place, Lexie was rattled when her hand weakened as she picked up a picture. She promptly put on a smile after Abe came into the room. He commented that his thoughts were with Chanel since she was undergoing her first chemotherapy appointment that morning. Lexie was surprised to learn that Paulina’s daughter had been diagnosed with cancer. She expressed her sympathy, since she had battled cancer as well.

When the topic shifted to Lexie’s miraculous recovery, Abe indicated EJ was not the only one to whom Lexie owed her recovery. He told her about Paulina finding out about the experiment and selflessly letting it proceed so Abe and Theo could have their family back. Lexie absorbed the news, then she urged a grateful Abe to visit Chanel.

Afterwards, Lexie made her way to the DiMera mansion, where she had a brief exchange with Kristen before heading down to the tunnels to see Dr. Rolf. In a panic, Lexie bemoaned how her symptoms had returned (stronger than before) even after Rolf had given her a larger dose of the drug. Rolf seemed worried that the drug had not yet had an impact. He gave Lexie another grip test, which she failed.

Noting Rolf’s demeanor of resignation, Lexie implored him not to give up on her. She desperately suggested other options, but Rolf dismissed each of them. Sobbing, Lexie pledged she was willing to try anything. Later, back at home, Lexie opened an envelope with a certificate inside officially revoking her death records. Tearing up anew, she gazed at a family photo and promised again that she would not be taken away from Abe and Theo again.

Cancer Warrior

$Chanel was thankful for her mama's special brand of TLC. \Image: Peacock$

Chanel was thankful for her mama's special brand of TLC. \Image: Peacock

At the hospital, Johnny and Paulina were on hand as Chanel received her first chemotherapy injection. After Johnny departed to get a drink for Chanel, she confided to Paulina that everyone’s “sweetness” and concern felt overwhelming at times. Paulina admitted most people felt uncomfortable around ordeals like hers and overcompensated, but it came from a good place. Paulina said Chanel shouldn’t feel sad because she was a fighter.

Chanel thanked her mom for providing just the right amount of comfort, with a light and joking touch. They put their joking nature to good use as they discussed wig options for Chanel. The light mood was somewhat diminished when the subject of Lexie's hostile attitude toward Paulina arose, and especially after Abe’s arrival. Paulina quickly found a reason to excuse herself. Abe regretted if he’d made things awkward for Chanel.

Chanel reassured Abe that she was always happy to see him. Her mom was having a difficult time, but there were no right answers in the situation she, Abe, and Lexie had found themselves in. Lexie’s return was a blessing, and Abe should focus on that blessing. But Chanel let Abe know that he was welcome anytime in her life.

Abe left after Johnny and Paulina returned, but he did share a moment with Paulina outside Chanel’s room. While Paulina appreciated Abe being there for Chanel, she asked him for the same space that Paulina had granted Lexie and Abe.

Back inside the room, Chanel’s hopes that her symptoms would be mostly non-existent faded as she began feeling nauseous. Johnny comforted her. But Chanel chose to look on the bright side. Just like with her morning sickness, something positive – her health and their new baby – would be waiting on the other side.

Poison Pill

EJ piled more turmoil onto Johnny's plate. \Image: Peacock

While he was away from Chanel’s room, Johnny got an unexpected and ultimately unwelcome visit from EJ, who stressed to his son that they had an urgent matter to discuss…a matter that could save Holly’s life. Intrigued and alarmed, Johnny followed EJ into his hospital office. EJ asked his son if Sarah had requested that he look into old DiMera Pharmaceuticals records. Johnny refused to give up any information, forcing EJ to confess that years ago, a batch of drugs had accidentally become contaminated with arsenic.

Johnny was aghast at the revelation that a poison had made its way into their pharmaceuticals. EJ defended that arsenic was common in nature and didn’t pose a threat if its levels were low. Johnny wasn’t having the excuses and raged that two women had already died because of the drug. He demanded to know what the situation had to do with Holly. EJ made another alarming confession: his employee had disposed of the contaminated batch on Smith Island, which is where Holly had been when she'd fallen ill.

Johnny made the connection that Holly had possibly somehow gotten the tainted drugs into her system. He asked what her prognosis would be if it were arsenic poisoning. EJ soberly replied that death could occur within days if left untreated. Johnny wanted to take action, but EJ argued he couldn’t say anything to anyone, especially Sarah…at least not until EJ could make things right. He would find a way to help Holly, but disclosure could put the company at stake. Johnny did not respond to EJ’s pressure and instead returned to his wife’s side.

EJ’s day took another dramatic downturn when he answered a summons from Rolf. The doctor informed EJ that Lexie wasn’t responding to treatments. Given what had happened with the rats, Lexie had months to live…at most.

Will the sands soon run out of Lexie’s hourglass? Will Johnny join in on his dad’s cover-up? Will Philip and Gwen engage in a little romantic self-help? Sound off in the comments.