Days of our Lives Recap, September 11: Rafe outed Gwen to the hospital board

On the Friday, September 11, 2026, episode of Days of our Lives, Rafe outed Gwen, Maggie comforted Xander, Belle made headway in her search, and Rita gave EJ a lot of bad news.

The Search for Happiness

Maggie told Xander that she was proud of how far he had come | Image: Peacock

Xander was packing up his office at Titan when he stopped to stare at a photo of Sarah with Victoria. Maggie walked in and confirmed that Dominic Marino had signed the paperwork for ownership of the Kiriakis mansion. Maggie said they had until the end of the next day to sign and formalize the papers. When Maggie asked Xander if he was okay, Xander noted that he was struggling with the guilt of his mistakes. Maggie reminded Xander that both she and Victor had made mistakes.

Maggie talked about how Victor would have moved forward to build up his empire again and protect his family. “You can rise above this, just like he did,” Maggie said. Maggie encouraged Xander to build something better than before. Xander reminded Maggie that he had lost everything because of his own actions. Maggie countered that Xander had worked to be a better person, and she was proud of him. Xander refused to take any praise from Maggie. Unfazed, Maggie listed all the ways that Xander had improved and changed, and she stressed that Xander was full of love.

“That means so much coming from you,” Xander whispered. Maggie added that she appreciated how well Xander had handled Sarah’s decision to move in with Brady. Xander confessed that he had started to believe that he and Sarah were working their way back to one another, but he had realized that he had been delusional. Xander told Maggie that he had overheard Sarah tell Brady that she loved him. With a sigh, Xander admitted he had believed that Sarah’s relationship with Brady was a temporary one like his had been with Gwen and Kristen.

“I’ve had to accept the reality that Sarah loves another man. I will never love another woman,” Xander said. Maggie noted that both Sarah and Xander deserved to be happy, and she was glad that they were on friendly terms. Maggie told Xander that she hoped he found happiness.

The Green Staircase

Rita took advantage of EJ's trip | Image: Peacock

In their Rome hotel room, Belle and Chad reviewed the evidence in their search. Belle received a dinner reservation on her phone, but Chad confirmed he had not made it. Belle researched online, and she could not confirm the existence of the restaurant. “This has to be a clue,” Belle said. Belle noticed that the text confirmed that the restaurant was on Milano street, and they realized that the clues had not been pointing to Milan, but to Milano street in Rome. After reviewing the clues again, Belle and Chad discovered a palazzo with green stairs whose address had the same serial numbers as the ones on the lire.

Belle called Paul, and he confirmed that the palazzo was the former Convent of the Holy Trinity. “The Celtic knot!” Chad said. Belle told Chad that the building was currently owned by Dominic Marino, the same man who was purchasing the Kiriakis mansion.

In his hotel room, EJ videochatted with Rita. Cat called EJ, and he rejected the call. Rita told EJ that she had confirmed that Cat had worked for the ISA in an administrative role before she had resigned several years prior. EJ ordered Rita to dig deeper and make sure that he could trust Cat. Rita told EJ that the hospital board had rejected Gwen’s bid because they had learned she had been EJ’s silent partner. Frustrated, EJ grumbled that the revelation had destroyed his leverage over Gwen, his silent partner.

With a sigh, Rita told EJ that she had some additional news. Rita informed EJ that Dominic Marino had signed the paperwork for the Kiriakis mansion, and that they would not be able to stop the sale. EJ asked if Rita had discovered why Marino was set on buying the mansion, but Rita admitted she had been unable to determine why. EJ explained that he had learned that someone was sending clues to Chad and Belle on Stefano’s behalf. Rita played dumb. EJ suggested that Rolf was the culprit, and Rita agreed. EJ ordered Rita to track down Rolf while he chased leads on the treasure hunt in Italy.

Cat is Out of the Bag

Gwen wasn't happy with Rafe | Image: Peacock

At the cafe in the square, Leo second guessed whether to text Javi. A frustrated Gwen threw her phone across the square past Leo’s head. Gwen explained to Leo that Rafe had given a copy of her confession letter to the hospital board. With a sigh, Gwen noted that although the letter could not be used against her in court, it was enough to tank her bid to buy the hospital.

Gwen asked Leo if he had provided the letter to Rafe, but Leo explained that the letter had been deleted before he had been able to read it. When Gwen asked Leo if he had told anyone about the letter, Leo remembered his conversation with Cat. Leo did not tell Gwen about his slip of the tongue.

Cat met with Rafe to discuss the status of her work with EJ and her concerns that her plan had backfired. Cat explained that EJ was avoiding her. Rafe cautioned Cat not to jump to conclusions, and he assured her that they would figure out their next move together when EJ returned to town. Rafe told Cat that he had sent Gwen’s confession letter to the board to tank the sale of the hospital to Gwen. As Cat applauded Rafe’s actions, Gwen banged on the front door. Cat slipped out the back.

Rafe reluctantly opened the door, and Gwen yelled at Rafe for telling the world that she had been partnered with EJ. Rafe reminded Gwen that she had been EJ’s partner. With a shrug, Rafe noted that Gwen should have accepted the immunity deal he had offered. Gwen gasped. Rafe argued that Gwen only had herself to blame because she had chosen to work with EJ. Gwen noted that Rafe’s actions would lead to the state taking control of the hospital. Rafe argued that the state was a better alternative to Gwen or EJ running the hospital. Frustrated, Gwen warned Rafe that no one would ever be able to hold EJ accountable for his crimes, but Rafe countered that he was close to doing just that.

As Cat walked through the square, Leo called out to her. Leo accused Cat of having stolen Gwen’s letter and given it to Rafe. Cat scoffed, and she noted that not only was she not ISA, but that she barely knew Rafe. Leo told Cat that he did not believe her, but that he did not want to blow her cover either. Leo asked Cat to help him with his investigation into the counterfeit ring. Cat walked away.

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