Asimple trip to the lake goes very wrong for Holly and Ari today on “Days of Our Lives.” Doug III’s loan shark has taken out an insurance policy, and Xander and Sarah clash over baby Victoria. Sophia bumps into her newborn son. Will she have second thoughts?
A lot is happening in Salem right now, so let’s get into it. Here’s a recap of the July 14, 2025, episode of “Days of Our Lives.”
Tate, Holly, and Ari Get Ready for a Trip
Today’s episode begins with Holly and Tate discussing their trip to the lake. She’s all packed and has just run out to grab a bikini and some sunscreen. She says that she and Ari will split the drive to the lake, and is happy to hear that Tate can go for the day; he just needs to tell Sophia, who he believes is still pregnant.
Meanwhile, Ari is packing for the lake with Gabi’s unwanted help. She says that her suitcase is packed as Gabi plays helicopter parent, looking through her bag for a water bottle and warning her about the danger of drugs and alcohol. Javi looks on amused, and after Gabi leaves the room, he reminds Ari that she is like that because she loves her so much. Gabi returns with a box of 36 condoms for Ari, just in case.
Sophia is alone and writing a letter to her son. She hopes that he will someday read her letter and understand that she gave him up because of her love for him. She wants him to have a better life than the one she can offer him right now.
Tate knocks on the door, and she panics. Sophia crawls under the covers, and when Tate asks why she is acting so anxious, she tells him that she needs to chill. She asks if Holly is going to the lake too, and he tells her yes. He offers to stay with Sophia but she tells him that it’s okay to leave. Sophia then talks to Melinda and tells her that it’s perfect that Tate is gone for the day.
Later on, Sophia is at the square and sees Javi and Leo walking with her baby. She says that she saw Javi’s picture in the paper because of the baby that was left at the firehouse, and asks if this is the child. They say yes and tell her that the birthmother has two more weeks to claim him or else he will be adopted out. She looks conflicted over what to do.
Sarah and Xander Fight Over Their Daughter
Sarah is furious with Xander for taking Victoria. She vents her upset to Maggie, who tells her that she has every right to take her daughter on a trip to Bermuda. Sarah knows that Xander is afraid that she would run off with their daughter and never return, but it’s simply not the case. She tells Maggie to get ready for their vacation while she deals with Xander.
Holly stops by before leaving for the lake to say goodbye to her grandmother. She can see that Maggie is upset, so she asks what is wrong. Maggie puts the attention back on Holly and tells her that she needs to be careful at the lake. Holly reassures her that after overdosing drugs scare her too.,
Meanwhile, Xander has Victoria at work and vows not to let Sarah take their daughter from him. As he talks to the child, Sarah barges in, ready for a fight. She tells him that she is not trying to steal their daughter; she wants to take a trip. The two argue over whether Xander hurt Philip, which is why Sarah doesn’t trust him alone with their child. She tells him that she admits to taking Rachel, so if she were to take Victoria now, the case against her would be extreme. Sarah tells Xander that she thinks they both should play a part in Victoria’s life. Xander responds by telling her that she can’t take their child because she is unstable.
Defeated, Sarah returns to talk to Maggie and tells her what has happened, explaining that she has been advised not to take any legal action because it could backfire.
Doug III’s Debt Leads to an Abduction
Doug III takes a break from working at Brady’s Pub and sits down for a chat with Leo. He asks Leo if Alice Horton’s necklace has been returned and doesn’t like the answer. Leo tells him that Gwen has it and has returned to Salem to hold it over Julie’s head gleefully. He tells Doug that nearly every core family in town has screwed Gwen over, so she is thrilled to have the upper hand finally.
Leo asks him about his loan shark problem, and Doug III admits that he is still in over his head. Between missed payments and interest, he is in trouble. A little while later, Doug III gets a call from the guy that he owes. He tells him that he still doesn’t have his money, but he asks if he is interested in an expensive piece of jewelry instead. He hangs up the phone and bumps into Ari. He then tells her that he has something important to say to her.
