TL;DR: In the Days of our Lives recap for Friday, July 3, 2026, Johnny hides the truth about Holly’s poisoning, Lexie watches Trey’s birthday celebration from afar, and two Salem couples grow closer under the Fourth of July fireworks.

Days of our Lives Recap July 3

It’s the 4th of July in Salem, and everyone is looking to celebrate. Johnny and Chanel were having a birthday party for Trey, but Johnny was put off by a phone call from EJ. He told him about Holly’s arsenic poisoning but wanted Johnny to be the one to tell people. Johnny shut him down as Chanel came into the room.

Chanel asked Johnny a few times if there was a problem, but he insisted there wasn’t and wanted to focus on Trey’s birthday party.

Lexie Watches From Afar

Lani saw Lexie having an emotional moment on a park bench. They chatted, but then Abe and Theo joined them. Abe had been upset earlier when Theo said he was going to Trey’s birthday party and Abe realized he wasn’t invited.

In the square, he suggested they move to a more secluded table to watch the fireworks, claiming it was too busy where they were, but it wasn’t. Lexie insisted on staying where they were as Theo and Abe glanced at one another, knowing the birthday party was at the bakery.

Johnny, Chanel, Trey, and Paulina arrived and set up their party table. Lexie realized why they tried to get her to move, but she was fine. Abe, however, couldn’t stop watching, and Theo went and joined in.

When Theo returned, Lexie told him how well she remembered Theo at that age and how he felt to be held in her arms. She asked if she could hold him in her arms again, and he hugged her.

Marlena Checks on Roman

Marlena came home from seeing Rachel and told Belle that EJ had gone to visit her at Bayview. They both thought that was odd, but Marlena added that he told Rachel he forgave her for shooting him. Belle said she had a date for the fireworks with Chad.

Marlena told Belle she was going to see a dear friend, and sought out Roman, who told her he was single for the evening and that Kate moved out.

Marlena reminded Roman that what Kate did was the same as what Sami did to Kate and Austin a few times. Roman said he didn’t know if he could live with what Kate did to Johnny. On the other hand, he also didn’t know how to live without Kate.

Fireworks Bring New Beginnings

Also at the pub were Jada and Shawn, who asked Jada out on an official date. Later, they went home, and as the fireworks started, they made love for the first time.

Meanwhile at the pub, Belle and Chad met for their date. They talked about the mystery of the chess set and made a pact that if they ever discovered something or just felt uncomfortable, they would speak up. 

Chad surprised Belle with tickets to a string quartet playing Verdi, thinking they might find something out or get inspired. Later, as the fireworks went off, they kissed.

In the square, Paulina saw Roman and Marlena. They invited her to watch the fireworks with them, so she did.

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