Days of our Lives Recap, May 18-22, 2026: A decision, a confession, and a wild affair

Here is what happened on Days of our Lives the week of May 18th through 22nd, 2026, when Alex opted out of Tripp’s wedding, Gwen cried on Leo’s shoulder, Xander decided to sleep with Kristen rather than murder for her, Amy refused to forgive Holly, Lexie asked Paulina to step aside, Philip dumped Gabi after he learned about her betrayal, and Gabi asked a favor of Julie and made a confession to Xander.

What happened on Days of our Lives

Joy and Alex on Days of our Lives | Image: Peacock

Joy asked Alex if she could give Kelsey the middle name of Adrienne. Joy and Lani met. Philip checked in with Joy on Chloe’s behalf. Joy stressed that she only wanted to give Alex a chance to get to know his daughter.

Stephanie told Alex that she was not ready to be a stepmom... After Alex and Stephanie fought, Brady reminded Stephanie that Kelsey was Alex’s daughter and that she would grow to love her. When Stephanie and Alex met back up, they had an earnest conversation about Kelsey. Stephanie asked Alex to skip Tripp’s wedding so that he could stay behind and bond with Kelsey. Alex agreed. After Steve and Kayla reminisced about their lives together, they headed to China with Stephanie to celebrate the start of Trip and Wendy’s life together.

Gwen cried on Leo’s shoulder about Xander. When Gwen attempted to complain about EJ, she realized she had said too much. Gwen said she was worried that Leo was only being kind as a reporter, and he stressed that he missed her. Jack returned to town to tell Gwen that he loved her and wanted her in his life.

Partners in crime

Kristen and Xander teamed up on Days of our Lives | Image: JPI

Xander balked at Kristen’s request for him to kill EJ, despite a financial offer to help Titan. Xander argued that he had worked too hard in therapy to go back to his old thuggish ways. Kristen urged Xander to hire someone for the sake of the town. To avoid the conversation, Xander flirted with Kristen. Fresh off her victory over Sophia, a reckless Kristen threw away her inhibitions and had sex with Xander.

Brady brought Victoria to the hospital to cheer up Sarah. Sarah told Brady she was worried about his safety in his new job, and he promised to be careful. After rough sex with Kristen, Xander had to go to the hospital for a dislocated elbow. Sarah popped Xander’s elbow back into place with a little too much glee over Xander’s pain.

When Xander let Gwen stay the night at his apartment despite his “workout” injury, he asked about Gwen’s suggestion for “added value” in their relationship. Gwen offered to team up with Xander to buy the hospital. Xander declined, and he accused Gwen of attempting to cement a relationship with him. Gwen dismissed the claim, but their conversation was interrupted by the sprinkler system going off in his apartment.

And in this corner...

Lexie and Paulina on Days of our Lives | Image: Peacock

Kristen texted Xander to meet her at the Salem Inn a second time. Xander barely missed Gwen in the hallway as she chatted with her unknown, guilt-free competition, Kristen. When Kristen asked Xander why he was avoiding Gwen, Xander explained that he was concerned that Gwen had become too emotionally attached to him. Kristen agreed that a no-strings-attached arrangement was preferable, and they had sex again.

Chanel counseled Paulina not to make any decisions about her marriage until she talked to Abe about Lexie. Lani talked to Chanel about the biopsy, and she urged Chanel to tell Paulina. Chanel refused to further burden her mother. Abe thanked EJ for saving Lexie, and he asked him not to tell Theo about Stefano’s part in Lexie’s illness. Lexie was concerned about Paulina’s past, and she asked Abe to introduce her to Paulina.

Paulina met Lexie without Abe. Lexie told Paulina she was thankful that Paulina had been a companion to Abe, but that she refused to lose him. Lexie told Paulina to walk away. Paulina agreed to step aside. Lexie was surprised that Theo was upset about Paulina. Theo explained that Paulina was family.

A new quadrangle starts to form

Chad and Belle's date was interrupted on Days of our Lives | Image: Peacock

Abe learned that EJ had told Paulina about Lexie weeks before her revival. Theo explained that Paulina had kept the secret to save Lexie's life. Abe ran into Paulina as she was moving out. When Paulina asked if he would have made a different decision if she had not packed up, Abe’s silence said everything.

Gabi told Theo about Tony’s offer and that she had turned Tony down. Theo asked EJ about Tony’s push to remove Johnny as CEO. Kristen argued to EJ that she should run the company, but EJ pointed out that she was a PR risk. Resentful, Kristen said she supported anyone but Johnny. Tony reminded EJ that he had no say in DiMera.

Holly admitted to Ari that she did not regret what she had said about Sophia. Amy visited the memorial site where Sophia had gone into the river. Sarah ran into Amy there, and Amy was adamant that Holly was not sorry for her actions. Sarah talked to Amy about how Sarah had forgiven herself after her daughter had died.

Chad and Belle met up in the square for their date. On the way to Little Bar, EJ and Cat had an awkward run-in with their exes. At the bar, EJ told Cat about the board’s actions to file a complaint against him with the state. EJ said he was concerned about who would run the hospital if he were removed. The two talked about their families. EJ admitted he did not fully understand why his marriage to Sami had broken up after his mysterious time with Cat in Italy.

Gabi offered Liam $150,000 to leave town and cut ties with Ari. Liam agreed to take the deal if Gabi could coordinate with Julie to address his court-mandated tutoring. Gabi appealed to Julie for help. Julie promised to talk to the DA to help Ari because she agreed that Liam was an inappropriate match.

Philip confronts Gabi

Philip confronted Gabi on Days of our Lives | Image: Peacock

Anna was surprised to learn that Gabi was dating Philip and had turned down the CEO offer. Anna was furious when Tony announced he would run DiMera. In an effort to prevent Tony's work plan, Anna asked Philip to get Gabi to reconsider. Anna told Philip what Gabi had done to betray him.

Although Philip told Gabi that he had proof that Vivian had forged the divorce papers, he also admitted that he knew Gabi had betrayed him. Philip dumped Gabi, and he told her to move out. When Xander moved into the Kiriakis mansion after his apartment was deemed uninhabitable from water damage, Gabi confessed to Xander what she had done. Xander kept his anger in check, but he told Gabi he would never forgive her.

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