Days of our Lives Recap for Wednesday, January 15, 2025: Leo Leaps to the Wrong Conclusion...Again

At Rafe’s house, Javi informed Leo that Rafe wasn’t home. Javi guessed that Rafe’s new job had been keeping him busy. Leo asked Javi if he would let Rafe know that Leo stopped by. He added that he had a lead on Lady Whistleblower’s origin that could blow the gossip columnist “out of the water.” Javi invited Leo inside for coffee, and the two toasted to Lady Whistleblower’s downfall.

Javi said he was just as invested as Leo in uncovering the columnist’s identity, not just for his own “vindication” but because Lady Whistleblower had seemed to take pleasure in hurting Leo. Leo was touched that Javi was so considerate of his feelings after everything that had happened between them. Soon thereafter, Leo got a text from Abe questioning Leo’s exit story for the character of Faith. Leo complained about having to write the exit on short notice.

Javi made an offhand comment about Kerry having spent the night and apologized to Leo for his lack of discretion. Leo assured Javi that it was okay to talk about their love lives since they were friends, even if Leo didn't currently have a love life. He said he was happy that Javi had found someone. Before Leo returned to work, Javi and he exchanged a warm goodbye. As Javi made his way to the kitchen area, however, Leo spotted a phrase on the back of his hoodie: I (heart) Rochester.

Later, Leo stormed into his apartment and berated himself for falling for Javi’s lies again. He received a call from Abe, who asked him for an update on Rafe’s trip to Rochester. Leo declared the trip no longer necessary. He knew the identity of Lady Whistleblower.

Gabi and Kerry strolled through Horton Town Square, cups of coffee in hand. The duo chatted about Javi’s excitement with planning Rafe and Jada’s wedding. Kerry mentioned that Javi’s exuberance was one of the things he “loved” most about the man. Gabi noted that Kerry and Javi seemed to be “growing closer by the day.” Kerry looked distracted, and Gabi wondered if there was a “but” coming.

“More like an ass named Leo Stark,” Kerry deadpanned. As they settled at a table, Kerry filled Gabi in on Javi’s willingness to forgive Leo and befriend him again. Gabi was irate, particularly after Kerry confessed that he worried about Leo manipulating Javi back into a relationship. “Over my dead body,” Gabi hissed.

Gabi updated Kerry on Leo’s attempted sabotage of Will and Sonny’s relationship. She didn’t want Leo anywhere near her family again. Kerry and Javi agreed to help the other keep Leo at bay. They toasted to the former gossip columnist “disappearing” from their lives for good.

After Gabi left, Kerry called Javi, and the couple flirted over the phone. Javi thanked Kerry for gifting him the hoodie.

At the Titan executive office, Philip worried Kate over the phone that Sarah had told Xander everything. He believed Xander would soon come through the door and “shoot me dead.” Just then, Xander entered the office. Philip ended his call with an, “It was nice knowing you, Mom.” He anxiously watched as Xander approached the desk and rummaged through his bag.

Xander announced that he had “something” for Philip, who tensed up. To Philip’s astonishment, Xander pulled out a bakery bag containing a croissant. As he handed it over, Philip asked if it was poisoned. Xander smirked and declared the food a “peace offering.” Xander told Philip about his conversation with Maggie, in which Maggie had persuaded him that he should work together with Philip, per Victor’s wishes.

Xander reasoned that Victor must have had confidence in Philp, or else he wouldn’t have written the letter. Philip hesitantly asked Xander if that was all that Xander had wanted to discuss with him. Xander pondered Philip’s uneasy demeanor when he came into the room and asked Philip if he had missed something. Philip hastily came up with an excuse that he’d been worried about how Xander would react to Philip’s nixing of his DiMera takeover idea. Xander reassured Philip that it would take more than a business disagreement for him to “fly into a psychotic rage.”

Xander further admitted that Sarah had backed Philip’s rebuff of the takeover idea. He considered her the one person who could always make him see reason. He challenged Philip to accept a true and equal partnership with him, minus any scheming or backstabbing. Philip said before he accepted, he needed to admit something that he deeply regretted. He clarified that he had not done anything personally,

Philip apologized on behalf of Victor, both for Victor having kept the secret about Xander’s parentage and for Victor’s mistreatment of Xander over the years. While Xander might have believed Philip had the perfect upbringing, things hadn’t been easy for Philip either. Victor hadn’t been present for a large portion of Philip’s childhood, and Victor had tried to compensate by controlling every aspect of Philip’s life. Even though Victor had attempted to mold Philip into his own image, Philip had always ended up disappointing his father. Philip believed Victor had been so hard on Xander because he had seen so much of himself in Xander.

Philip considered the CEO position his last chance to honor Victor's legacy and to prove himself to his father, whom he thought was still watching over him. Xander admitted that he felt the same way. Philip wondered what it might have been like if he’d know Xander was his brother all along. He took the croissant out of the bag, offered half of it to Xander, and suggested they “break bread” together. Xander tore off a chunk of the bread, and the brothers consumed their “peace offering.”

At her apartment, Stephanie read a newspaper article about Xander and Philip being named co-CEOs. She remarked to herself that Philip had no right to the title. Abe called and filled Stephanie in on Leo, wanting to send Rafe to Rochester to find Lady Whistleblower. After she ended the call, Stephanie wondered why Paulina was footing the bill for the trip instead of Leo.

Later, Stephanie welcomed Sarah into her home. Stephanie asked for all the details about how Xander had reacted after Sarah had told him the truth. Sarah sheepishly admitted that she hadn’t told Xander. Stephanie couldn’t understand why. Sarah explained that she’d talked with Philip first.

Philip had made a compelling case that Victor would have wanted both of his sons in charge of Titan. Further, Sarah could relate to Philip’s struggles with mental illness. She didn’t believe he should be punished for those struggles. Stephanie was surprised that Sarah was willing to lie to Xander indefinitely. Sarah clarified that her decision had not been mostly driven by sympathy for Philip.

Sarah also worried about what Xander would do with “unchecked power” at Titan. She updated Stephanie on Xander’s plot to take over DiMera Enterprises. Stephanie conceded that the plan would have probably reignited the dangerous feud between the two families. Sarah then expressed her concerns about how Xander might lash out, especially given his recent personal turmoil. Sarah wanted to know what Stephanie thought about keeping the secret, as Stephanie herself would be forced to remain silent as well.

Stephanie admitted that keeping quiet would make her feel like an “accomplice” to Philip. But she also did not want to be the person responsible for Philip going to prison, “or worse.” She agreed to respect Sarah’s wishes as Xander’s wife and to keep the secret.

Sarah thanked Stephanie, who cautioned Sarah to consider the long-term ramifications of keeping the truth from Xander. She brought up what might happen if the truth ever came out. Sarah sighed and replied, “It’s a gamble I’ll have to take.”

Later, Sarah arrived at the Titan office and found Philip alone. She explained that she hadn’t told Xander but warned that if Philip tried to undermine or work against Xander, the deal was off. Philip thanked Sarah and said he “owed” her. Just then, Xander reentered the office and inquired what Philip owed Sarah.

Sarah claimed that Philip had been thanking her for attempting to smooth things over between himself and Xander. Sarah added that she had faith the brothers’ partnership could work. Xander responded that although he couldn’t believe it, he agreed. Philip added his own optimism, and the trio shared smiles.

At the DiMera mansion, Jada and EJ faced off about Rafe’s whereabouts. Jada accused EJ of doing something to Rafe as retribution against her, and she wanted EJ to come to the station for questioning. EJ refused and angrily told Jada to leave his property. Before she could go, “Rafe” emerged from the tunnel entrance. Jada whirled around to EJ and demanded, “What the hell is going on here?” As Jada looked between the men, “Rafe” asked her what she was doing there.

“Looking for you,” Jada answered incredulously. She said that she’d talked to Steve, who had confirmed that he hadn’t asked Rafe to take on an undercover assignment. EJ looked panicked but composed himself when Jada turned her attention back to him. She wanted to know what EJ had to do with the chain of events. EJ hedged, but “Rafe” said they needed to tell Jada the truth.

“Rafe” started to say that Steve hadn’t hired him for the case. “I did,” EJ quickly supplied. EJ concocted a story that “Rafe” was helping him track down Sloan because the woman had never properly paid for destroying EJ’s life. Jada was initially skeptical since EJ had not been blameless himself in the ordeal with Sloan. EJ insisted that he wanted justice, so he hired the “best detective” in Rafe.

Jada directed a pointed question to “Rafe”: “Why did you lie to me?” He claimed that he had kept quiet because of Jada’s position as police commissioner and because of the mutual animosity between Jada, EJ, and himself. Jada asked if EJ had made Rafe do something illegal, and he assured her that all of his actions had been legal. Jada continued to press him on why he had lied, so “Rafe” said he’d wanted to make a good impression at Black Patch. He hadn’t wanted to talk about the case until he’d had a good lead.

Jada wondered why Rafe’s lead-chasing had led him to hide out at the mansion. He clarified that he hadn’t been hiding but had just gotten back in town. “Rafe” had given EJ a report on his findings, and he had used the tunnels to avoid detection since EJ had wanted to be discreet about the case. “Rafe” added that he was charging EJ “a small fortune” so that he could give Jada the perfect wedding present. She softened and told “Rafe” he didn’t have to overextend himself for her.

“Rafe” insisted that he needed to treat Jada like “a queen.” Jada remarked that he had spun “quite a tale,” which prompted him to ask if she believed him. She said she did but scolded him for lying and worrying her. “Rafe” apologized, as did EJ. Jada did have one more question: why had Rafe signed off his text message with XOXO? “Rafe” claimed he had gotten carried away with expressing his love for Jada and joked if he should send a heart emoji instead.

Jada got a message from the station and announced she needed to leave. “Rafe” said he would stay behind so that EJ could write him a “big fat check.” As “Rafe” and Jada affectionately said goodbye, EJ promptly interrupted the PDA and said he would give “Rafe” the check. After Jada left, EJ and “Rafe” (aka Arnold) shot each other exasperated looks. EJ acknowledged that Arnold had done well in persuading Jada that he was Rafe.

EJ thought Arnold could still be of use to him as Rafe. Arnold said he liked the sound of that, especially with the perk of “that sweet –” EJ cut him off before he could finish and commanded that if Arnold were to continue posing as Rafe, Arnold would not be laying a hand “or any other body part” on Jada. Arnold couldn't see how that would be possible, given Rafe and Jada were engaged. EJ brightened and said he had an idea.

Meanwhile, Jada bumped into Stephanie outside the Brady Pub. Stephanie told her friend about the break-up with Philip, and Jada expressed her sympathies. The talk turned to Jada’s upcoming wedding, and Jada said Stephanie could bring another plus-one if she wished. Jada was relieved that since she had found Rafe, the wedding could proceed “full-steam ahead.”

Stream new episodes of Days of our Lives on Peacock.