Days of our Lives Recap June 26: Rachel Learns Sophia’s Fate, Philip Makes a Shocking Discovery

TL;DR: In today’s Days of our Lives recap for Friday, June 26, 2026, Rachel learned Sophia had died, Stephanie reclaimed her confidence, Philip discovered Titan’s loan had mysteriously been paid off, and EJ overheard Sarah’s Coriseal theory.

Days of our Lives Recap June 26

At Bayview, Kristen said she was late as she’d been looking for the narwhal stuffed animal to bring, but when Rachel walked into the room, she was carrying one. Rachel told them that her uncle EJ gave it to her the night before.

Rachel and Brady confirmed that EJ hadn’t visited her before. She said he also told her about Johnny almost dying. Brady and Kristen said Johnny and his family were fine, but they had sad news they wanted to tell her.

Kristen and Brady gently told Rachel that what happened to Johnny was done by Sophia because she wanted to hurt him, and that she ended up jumping off the bridge. Rachel was shocked when they told her that Sophia had died.

Rachel worried that she and Sophia were alike and in the same hospital; she wondered if she would have the same fate. Kristen and Brady assured her that wasn’t the case. They explained that her issues were different, and she was doing so much better. Everything they said, though, was compared to Sophia as Rachel tried to process what it meant that Sophia was gone.

Later, when Kristen got home, she called the doctor and blasted her for not being available when Rachel needed her. Then she seethed that EJ must be added to the banned visitors list.

Stephanie Finds the Strength to Move Forward

Belle came to Stephanie’s and said she wanted to talk to her in person. She told her that Owen was deemed unfit for trial, but he was going away for a very long time in a higher security facility than Bayview.

Belle added that Stephanie was a survivor and hoped she got her power back. “Stop letting Owen Kent control your life,” she said. After Belle left, Stephanie read an online article about Owen, and there was a quote from Jeremy praising how strong she was.

Stephanie was inspired by what she read and insisted that Owen could no longer take up room in her head. “Into the trash you go,” she said as she deleted the article with his photo.

Chad and Belle Continue the Chess Box Mystery

Chad checked in with EJ about his fight with Kristen. EJ vented about their sister, and told Chad she blamed him for Rachel being in Bayview. However, he thought she raised an accomplice and if she wanted to know where Rachel’s problems came from, to look in the mirror.

EJ mentioned he had other issues he was dealing with, but he was taking care of them. He tried to find out more information about the chess box and what was in it, but Chad wouldn’t tell him.

Chad met with Belle at the bookstore so they could continue their investigation into the lira in the chess box. Chad noted the bill had La Scala on one side and Verde on the other. Belle said opera on currency was very Italian.

Chad suggested his dad wanted her parents to spend it somewhere special. When she told him its value, he said they could go for a slice at Vinny’s on the corner.

Chad talked about the kids being with Jack and Jennifer for the summer and said he’d like to spend his spare time with Belle. Back to the Stefano mystery, she told him if needed, her brother and all of her dad’s ISA friends were just a phone call away.

EJ Rattles Xander as Sarah Pushes Back

At the hospital, Xander comforted Sarah and gave her the encouragement that she needed to hear. “You’ve got this, Sarah. I have faith in you,” he said. As they talked closely, EJ appeared behind them.

EJ came up and quipped to Xander that it was his fault for slipping to Gwen that he was sleeping with Kristen. Sarah was taken aback and made a quick exit while EJ took delight in needling Xander. He walked away but glared at EJ from the elevator.

Later, Sarah scolded EJ for acting like a high school gossip about Xander’s personal life. He warned her that he was still her boss and not to cross him but Sarah shot back that she could say the same warning to him.

Titan Gets an Unexpected Surprise

At Titan, Alex told Philip that things weren’t going great with Stephanie between the kidnapping and the surprise baby; it was taking a toll. Philip said he wouldn’t get over what Gabi did to their family, although Alex noted she was trying to make amends by giving them a big chunk of her inheritance.

Philip said he wasn’t cool with taking anything from Gabi, but Xander convinced him to take it. They agreed that EJ could never find out. Philip suggested getting Stephanie to come back to work in case they needed PR; Alex said he could try asking.

When the topic of making the next loan payment came up, Alex suggested they sell the estate to save Titan. He thought it was what Victor would have done.

When Xander returned to the office, Philip was trying to figure out what to do about the next loan payment and shushed him. All of a sudden, he gasped while looking at his laptop. “I can’t believe it. The loan shows a zero balance,” Phillip told Xander. He asked if it was paid off, but Philip didn’t know how that would be possible.

Stephanie Makes Her Choice

When Alex got home, Stephanie was taking the extra deadbolts off the door. Stephanie told him that Owen wasn’t standing trial or going to prison, but she had read an article. She told him about Jeremy being inspired by her bravery and that he wouldn’t be alive if not for her.

Stephanie wanted to feel brave again. She knew she had to choose not to feel like a victim anymore. “So this is me, choosing,” she said. Alex told her how proud of her he was and kissed her.

EJ Overhears Sarah’s Coriseal Theory

Brady went to talk to Sarah, and she told him about Holly’s condition. Noting that she’d had a day, Brady asked if she was okay. Sarah vented about having a run-in with EJ.

Sarah said she wished she could say something to EJ about his involvement with Coriseal. She ran some scenarios, like Holly took something or was exposed to something on Smith Island that was causing her to be sick. Behind them, EJ was listening to every word.

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