Days of our Lives Recap, May 28: EJ gave Lexie a dire warning as Abe prepared her homecoming

On the Thursday, May 28, 2026, epsiode of Days of our Lives, Lexie grilled her brother on the finer details of her resurrection, Abe remained torn, Ari was furious, and Johnny and Chanel tried to find hope.

Abe's Days of our Lives dilemma

Abe prepares for Lexie's homecoming | Image: Peacock

Abe returned home to find Theo staring at photos of him and Paulina on the mantle. Abe reported that Lexie could be discharged that day. Theo thought it was a good thing that Paulina had moved the rest of her stuff out. Theo got straight to the point and asked if Abe was getting a divorce. Or maybe his marriage wasn't even valid.

Abe didn't think it was the appropriate time to talk or think about such things. Abe admitted there was no real, clear-cut answer here. Plus, for now, Paulina made some decisions for them. Abe also still loved Paulina, but Theo was still distraught. He loved his mother being back, but hated what this had done to Paulina.

Theo also admitted that there was something else bothering him and told Abe what had happened with Gabi. Theo felt he was close to a meltdown when all he wanted to do was show his mom he wasn't that same little boy anymore. Theo felt like a failure, being unemployed and living with his parents. Abe reminded Theo of the amazing work he had done in South Africa.

When Abe asked Theo to help get the place ready for Lexie, Theo wondered if he should take down the photos of Paulina. Abe told him not to, as it just didn't feel right. Theo didn't think it felt right to have them up, so they had a dilemma. Finally, Abe left the photos up but placed one of Lexie on the mantle, as well.

Lexie has questions

EJ popped in to see Lexie for the first time since she woke. The siblings shared a warm reunion, but Lexie had some questions. She thought of herself as an experiment and wanted to know the science behind her being there, talking to him.

EJ explained there was now a cure for sepsis (in Salem, not in real life, unfortunately) and Rolf was able to mix it with his own special sauce to kill her tumor and reverse the cell damage. What a scientific miracle! Lexie was still skeptical. She was a doctor and scientist herself and wasn't sure what to think about being an experiment. She also wanted to know where Rolf was.

Well, he was indisposed, so he sent EJ to collect a blood sample. Lexie, as a doctor, was even in charge of drawing her own blood. Lexie wasn't thrilled about that, but EJ was thrilled when she told him that Paulina had decided to step aside. He promised Lexie she'd regret it if she changed her mind and decides to cause trouble.

Lexie couldn't even understand how Abe could fall for someone like Paulina. EJ was surprised that Lexie was less charitable than he had remembered. Lexie mocked Paulina as she said she just wanted her family back and "that woman" had them. EJ accused Abe of having a type, before growing serious and reminding Lexie that their family legacy was a part of her whether she liked it or not.

Lexie admitted she wasn't ashamed of being a DiMera. She just worried about her son fitting into that world.

Gabi covered for herself

Ari is distraught over Liam | Image: Peacock

Ari woke in the Hernandez house to see that her texts to Liam remained unanswered. When Gabi brought her coffee, Ari lamented that Liam had left town. Gabi feigned surprise and tried to comfort Ari, but she pushed her mother away and told her this was what she wanted. She even blamed Gabi for Liam choosing to leave town.

Gabi defended herself as Ari accused her of scaring Liam away with her helicopter mom attitude. Gabi pointed out that Liam could have been running from some bad actors. Maybe Ari didn't know him as well as she thought she did. Gabi claimed that Ari only knew as much as Liam wanted her to know.

Ari grew sad as she realized she was wrong about Liam. She thought she might have found the right guy. Gabi tried to make Ari feel better and assured her that she would meet someone else. Ari just felt like she was all alone again when all her friends were dating.

Ari suddenly felt bad about lamenting her life when Gabi had just broken up with Philip. Gabi saw no hope for a reconciliation because she had betrayed his trust.

Javi's new man

Javi continued to be cold to Leo | Image: Peacock

Leo ran into Javi outside The Brady Pub and shared an awkward moment before Leo spoke. He was surprised that Javi wasn't at Sophia's memorial service and wondered if Javi was okay. Javi claimed he was fine and had to work, but he was on desk duty after breaking the rules and entering Johnny and Chanel's apartment without proper PPE.

Javi looked uncomfortable and like he wanted to get away as Leo continued to compliment him and ramble. Javi then acknowledged that he knew what the Chois were going through and that he was grateful to Sophia for bringing Trey into their lives. The two men fell into easy conversation, talking about Trey, before Javi mentioned that he was on his way to meet Gus, his new boyfriend.

Leo immediately picked fun at Javi's boyfriend's name as things grew tense. The jealousy was there as Javi explained that Gus would be staying in town indefinitely. Later, when Javi met up with Gustavo in the Square, he gave him a big kiss to prove he wasn't thinking about Leo. When Javi asked how long Gus was really staying, Gus said he had put in notice back in Texas. Leo watched Javi's joy from afar.

A moment of hope for Johnny and Chanel

Johnny supported Chanel | Image: Peacock

Johnny woke from a few hours of sleep on the couch to find Chanel researching breast cancer and pregnancy prognosis. Chanel was too wound up to get any sleep, telling Johnny that she thought she was prepared to hear that she had cancer, but she wasn't.

Johnny held his wife and promised her she would be all right. There were so many effective treatments that she had to be. Johnny was all for the power of positive thinking. Chanel just didn't want to be in denial and thought one of them should be a realist.

When Johnny accused his wife of doomscrolling, Chanel claimed she just wanted to be prepared with the right questions at their first appointment with the oncologist. However, she insisted that Johnny never tell her that her life was more important than the baby's life. Johnny agreed to respect any decision Chanel made about her own body, pregnancy, and life. Later, when they were lying together on the couch, Johnny felt the baby kick.

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