A Call From Justin Destroys Xander and Sarah’s Progress, While Clyde Cryptically Reaches Out to [Spoiler] (2024)

In the morning, Stephanie comes to the living room where Chad sits stoically on the couch. She leans over to nuzzle his neck, but he jerks away. Chad explains that it’s Abigail’s birthday. It’s harder than he thought it would be. Plus, it was this time last year that they found out Clyde was the one who killed her. Part of him wishes he would have shot Clyde when he had the chance.

At the Kiriakis mansion, an emotional Sarah inches toward Xander as they discuss him not being a killer, due to Susan being alive. She abruptly turns, apologizing because he’s with Chloe. He informs her Chloe left, but it doesn’t change things between them. Sarah tried to keep his daughter from him. Sarah now knows she was wrong, but she felt justified at the time. Xander knows he’s made terrible decisions, but how could she doubt he’d be a loving father and protect their daughter with very cell of his being?

Alone at Tripp’s apartment, Ava and Harris softly kiss. They admit they’ve wanted to do that for a while, despite what they told other people. They move in for a more passionate embrace. Ava breaks away, breathless. Despite their pull toward each other, they agree to put it on hold until they get their lives in order.

More: Lucas Adams posts romantic anniversary message

At the hospital, Tripp catches Kayla up on Ava being released from Bayview. Kayla feigns enthusiasm for her stepson, who hopes Ava finds some stability. The last thing she needs is more drama. Kayla expresses concern over Ava staying with him, but Tripp insists she’s committed to getting her life back on track. Tripp gets paged to the ER for an overdose.

In an exam room, Tripp questions the patient about the pills he took. The patient tries to leave, but Tripp is concerned about him hurting himself. The patient thrusts a scalpel at Tripp, who wants to draw his blood. “You’re not taking any of my blood,” the patient says. “But I’m going to take some of yours.”

In prison, a menacing Clyde reads an article about Ava bringing Susan home alive. He chuckles over the Keystone cops not putting it together that it was he who brought Susan to Edmund. Lucas approaches, questioning what Clyde is talking about. Clyde tells him to mind his business, which Lucas is happy to do. Abigail’s murderer is the last person he wants to cross paths with on her birthday.

More: A reunion and a death for WCTH’s season 11?

In the Kiriakis mansion, Sarah apologizes to Xander for shortchanging him. But she had to protect Victoria from her father ending up in prison or dead. Xander tearfully understands that, but all he wanted was to give Sarah a good life. He can see now that his desperation led to terrible choices that caused him to lose the love of his life. A weepy Sarah declares she loved him too. Walking away from him was the hardest thing she’s ever done.

As an alarm buzzes, Kayla finds Tripp tending to his wound in the exam room. Tripp got the scalpel away from the patient, but not before he cut him. After Kayla fixes him up, she gets a message that the patient evaded hospital security and left the building. She sends Tripp home to get some rest.

More: So many questions to be answered in Days promo

At the apartment, Ava worries about what kind of job she can get with Mob Princess as her only experience. Harris asks what she would like to do if she could do anything. She shares that she loves to cook. He advises she pursue that. She poses the same question to him. He tells her about Kate’s suggestion he get a job at the Salem P.D. Ava quips he shouldn’t use her as a reference because she is not Commissioner Hernandez’s favorite person.

In prison, Lucas yells at an unbothered Clyde for killing his niece. When Lucas makes a veiled threat, Clyde scoffs, confident Lucas doesn’t have it in him. Lucas puffs up his chest, which tickles Clyde. Turning serious, Clyde warns that he doesn’t have to hurt Lucas to, hurt him — if he knows what he means. He’s guessing Lucas doesn’t want to mourn another loved one.

At home, Stephanie assures Chad that Clyde is locked up and can’t hurt anyone again. Chad knows he wouldn’t be there for his children if he had killed him. Stephanie tells him so many people love and need him. She hopes he knows she’s one of those people. He apologizes for pulling away and says he’s going to Abby’s grave. She wants to go with him, but he’d rather she not. Stephanie winces, but he needs it to be just him and the kids. She says she totally gets it, but her expression suggests otherwise.

After telling Xander how Maggie was on his side, Sarah insists Rex is blameless. She chose to keep Victoria from him. But now she wants Xander to be part of Victoria’s life. Xander is thrilled they can work this out. He looks like he’s about to move in for a kiss, but Sarah’s phone ruins the moment. She sees that it’s Justin and plans to tell him they agreed to share custody. Xander panics as Sarah answers. After talking to her lawyer, Sarah yells at Xander for filing for full custody and for Sloan making the case that she’s an unfit parent.

More: Emily O’Brien implores fans to keep open mind

Chad sits on a park bench with a bouquet of roses. Lucas calls to see how he’s doing today. He hopes he’s around people who love him — there are so many people who do. Lucas also tells him about his interaction with Clyde. Chad urges him to steer clear of him so he can get out of there alive. Lucas counters that Clyde should stay clear of him. After hanging up, Chad looks at photos of Abigail on his phone. He wishes her a happy birthday. “You’re still the most beautiful woman I ever laid eyes on.” Fighting tears, he says he misses her every minute of the day.

Stephanie visits Kayla at the hospital to see if she can come to lunch. Kayla can’t because she’s swamped. Stephanie tells her mother that Chad rejected her today as well. Kayla urges her to be patient with Chad. She knows he loves her. Stephanie believes that, but she doesn’t believe he’ll love her as much as he loved Abigail.

More: All the exits could solve Days’ big problem

More: Eric Martsolf’s tribute to wife

At the apartment, Harris offers to take Ava to dinner once he gets a job. She would like that and muses that a hug wouldn’t cross any boundaries. Tripp comes home, breaking up their tight embrace. After Harris leaves, a smirking Tripp asks what’s going on. Ava admits there’s an attraction, and they might have dinner soon. She notices the bandage on his arm. He explains about the addict he treated. When he goes to change, Clyde calls Ava from a burner phone. She should know that Tripp’s accident wasn’t an accident. Ava asks who he is. Clyde says she’ll find out soon enough because they have a lot to talk about.

At the mansion, Xander defends himself to an irate Sarah, who warns him to wait until she gets him in court. He doesn’t think they need court. They can work it out. Sarah shouts she didn’t know he was trying to take her daughter from her. If he wants a fight, he has one. She doesn’t want to see him until she has to in court.

Next on Days of Our Lives, Chad and EJ bond, while Belle gets something off her chest to Talia.

Days of Our Lives now exclusively airs on Peaco*ck. To make sure you never miss an episode, subscribe to Peaco*ck. Please note that if you purchase something by clicking on a link within this story, we may receive a small commission of the sale.

Take a peek at the real-life loves of the Days cast in the photo gallery below.