Days of our Lives Recap, April 17: Furious Xander learns the truth, Sarah freaks

Here is your Days of our Lives recap for Thursday, April 17, 2025.

What happened on Days of our Lives

Kayla sat at her desk, staring at a framed photo of her and Steve, when Stephanie walked in, saying, "I miss him too." Stephanie arrived with lunch and admitted that she needed to talk. "Okay, I'm freaking out and I need my mom," she said. Stephanie hesitated for a bit, but was then vague. She told Kayla she was keeping someone's secret, but feared that by doing that, she was making everything worse. Kayla told Stephanie to follow her conscience.

Philip ran into Alex outside The Brady Pub. Philip knew that Alex was still furious with him. "You're probably wishing they had public stockades in Horton Town Square so they could lock me up, right?" Alex didn't think that would be enough.

Philip admitted what he did was wrong, but at least it had worked out well in the end. After all, Titan had just taken over DiMera Enterprises. Philip felt that Victor would approve of their means to acquire DiMera, but Alex didn't agree. They didn't play fair, considering that EJ was in a coma. Alex warned Philip of how bad things would get when the truth came out.

Alex informed Philip that he was only keeping his secret for Xander's sake. He figured he owed him after Alex was already duped into thinking he was Victor's sole heir.

At the Kiriakis mansion, Sarah had a one-sided conversation with Victor's portrait. "Stop looking at me like that. Like you never kept a secret from your family," she said. Maggie soon walked into the living room and told Sarah that she had gotten rid of Vivian.

Maggie showed Sarah the note from Vivian saying, "Philip has made me realize there's only one thing left to do." Sarah found the note to be cryptic, while Maggie was just thrilled that Vivian was gone. When Maggie wondered what kind of hold that Vivian had on Philip, Sarah almost confessed, but then hesitated.

Maggie knew there was something going on and tried to get Sarah to spill, but Sarah hedged the issue and only spoke of the damage Philip had done to the family in the past. "That I allowed him to do," Sarah finally said. Maggie finally convinced Sarah to come clean.

"Mom, I'm keeping a huge secret from Xander. One that can change his life," Sarah said before finally telling Maggie that Vivian and Philip had forged the alleged letter from Victor. Maggie was understandably shocked but didn't blame Sarah. The blame belonged to Philip and Vivian.

Sarah explained why she kept the secret. She was afraid of Xander's reaction. "I couldn't stand the thought of Xander being taken away from me and Victoria again," she said. Maggie felt that Sarah kept her secret to "keep Xander from self-destructing," so she understood Sarah's motivations.

Maggie told Sarah that Victor loved both Philip and Xander and would have wanted Philip in his will. She thought Sarah should continue keeping the secret. "Telling the truth and alleviating your conscience, Sarah, it might destroy the family unity. And your marriage, as well," Maggie said.

Xander was surprised when Vivian walked into his new office at DiMera Enterprises with some news. "I'm sure you're curious to know why Philip was so anxious for me to move into your family home," Vivian said, before admitting that she didn't give Philip a choice.

Xander was sure Philip was still trying to hide an affair with Stephanie, but Vivian set Xander straight. "Philip isn't making a fool out of Alex. He's making a fool of you," she said. Xander still didn't get it and only spoke of how great he and Philip had been getting along. "We're a great team. Not just in business, but as family," Xander declared.

Well, he was in for a rude awakening when Vivian finally told him the truth. "That bond is a lie...Victor did not write the letter that Philip found. I did," she said with glee. Xander could barely believe it and was sure Vivian was trying to scam him after hearing what Theresa had done last year.

"Xander, denial is a hell of a drug, isn't it?" Vivian asked. She then picked up a pad and pen and signed Victor's name. It was a perfect forgery. Xander still didn't believe it until Vivian recited the letter word for word. Xander was stunned and finally realized that what Vivian told him was true. He wanted to know why Vivian was finally telling him the truth now.

"Because I was the one who was supposed to get half of that fortune. It was nowhere stated that you were supposed to get anything," she said. "I want that little bugger to lose everything. I forged the letter, but it was your brother who stabbed you in the back," Vivian reminded.

Later, Vivian ran into Philip in the square and dropped a big hint. "I was admiring your cushy new office, but I wouldn't get too used to it because your brother's a little upset with you," she warned.

At the mansion, Sarah continued her conversation with Victor's portrait until a furious Xander stormed in. "I don't want to believe it, but I think I was just betrayed in the worst possible way," he seethed.

In Estonia, Steve told Marlena that the ISA was working day and night to decrypt the file Marlena found. However, they still didn't know what "rosebud" meant (ask Charles Foster Kane, it's a sled). Marlena wanted to see Orpheus, but Andrew couldn't get them the clearance.

He was hospitalized and with only a medical team allowed to see him. Marlena had an idea to pose as his psychiatrist to gain access. When they entered Orpheus' room, he was as sarcastic and cryptic as ever. Marlena and Steve tried to appeal to Orpheus' affection for his family, reminding them that everyone would be affected if a rogue nuclear weapon were to be detonated.

Orpheus agreed to tell Marlena and Steve what they wanted to know as long as Marlena helped his son, Christian, see Christian's son, David, as there were custody issues. Orpheus explained that "rosebud" was the code name for a black market arms exchange location not far from the Latvian border.

In Marlena's hotel room, Steve told Marlena, "This is the end of the road for us." The ISA wanted them to stay out of things so the professionals could handle it. "To infiltrate a black market arms exchange? We have to leave that to the pros," he said. Marlena was beside herself, but couldn't convince Steve to disobey the ISA.

After Steve left to pack his bags, Marlena noticed a note that Orpheus had slipped into her medical bag. "If you want to see John alive, come back, and come alone," it said. Marlena did just that, defying Steve. When she returned to Orpheus' room, he told her that the earlier information was all a lie.

"The truth is, I know where John is and I can take you to him. All you have to do is get me out of here," he said. Soon, John walked in. Through a flashback, we learned that Marlena went to Steve with the note before leaving for the hospital. He also informed her that the ISA figured out that John was in Minsk. "And Rosebud is just a sled," Marlena said.

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