Salem is no stranger to jaw-dropping twists, but this time, the shockwaves hit the town’s heart as Joy Wesley returns with a revelation that

threatens to upend multiple lives. Just when Alex Kiriakis and Stephanie Johnson believe they’ve finally found stable ground—after

months of emotional turbulence, heartbreak, and tangled love triangles—a baby bombshell crashes into their world with the force of a hurricane.

 

 

In upcoming Days of Our Lives episodes, Joy re-enters Salem with secrets, questions, and a child whose existence could change everything. And for Alex and Stephanie, the truth arrives not with celebration, but with fear, confusion, and a flood of emotions they may not be prepared to face.

 

 

Joy Wesley Returns — But Not Alone

Joy’s return to Salem is unexpected enough, but her arrival at the Horton Town Square with a baby in her arms sends the town buzzing instantly. Her demeanor is nervous yet determined, a clear sign she didn’t come home for a casual visit. Sources say Joy has been hiding something monumental for months, and now the weight of that secret has become too much for her to bear.

 

 

The whispers begin almost immediately: Who is the father? Why did she leave Salem? What drove her back now?

But the person most rattled by Joy’s presence is Stephanie Johnson, who spots her childhood friend before the rest of the family realizes she’s home. At first, Stephanie is thrilled—until Joy tearfully confesses that the baby she’s holding belongs to someone in Salem.

And the name she reveals leaves Stephanie stunned.

 

 

Alex Kiriakis: Fatherhood or Nightmare?

The baby, according to Joy, is Alex Kiriakis’s child.

Stephanie’s breath catches. Alex’s world tilts. And Salem collectively gasps.

Months ago, before Alex and Stephanie rekindled their romantic spark, he and Joy had a brief, emotionally charged encounter. At the time, both of them believed it was nothing more than a moment of comfort—two people trying to escape their own struggles. But neither had expected consequences.

Now, those consequences have arrived… and they have Alex’s eyes.

Alex is speechless when Joy tells him the truth. Shock turns to disbelief. Disbelief turns into panic. And panic quickly turns into a swirl of emotions Alex doesn’t know how to handle. He just began to understand what it means to choose love over impulse. He just started rebuilding trust with Stephanie. And suddenly, he’s thrust into fatherhood—ready or not.

Stephanie’s World Crumbles

For Stephanie, the revelation is another emotional blow after months of turmoil. She had finally allowed herself to imagine a future with Alex again—a future built on honesty, stability, and shared dreams. Joy’s baby bombshell shatters that fragile hope instantly.

Her reaction is a mix of heartbreak and betrayal. Even though the child was conceived before she and Alex were together again, Stephanie can’t shake the sting. In her mind, this changes everything.

Viewers will see Stephanie struggle between compassion for Joy, anger toward Alex, and sorrow for herself. She questions whether she can be with a man who suddenly has a child with someone else. And worse—she wonders whether Joy’s return means Alex may still have unresolved feelings for her.

This love triangle just got sharper, more complicated, and far more dangerous emotionally.

Joy’s Hidden Struggles Come to Light

While the spotlight is on Alex and Stephanie, Joy has her own heartbreaking story brewing beneath the surface. Sources hint that Joy has been hiding from someone—or something—that threatened her and her child’s safety. Her return to Salem isn’t just about revealing the truth—it’s about seeking protection.

This adds a new layer of urgency to the storyline, as Alex must step up immediately as a father while also protecting Joy and the baby from whatever danger follows them home.

Is Salem safe enough? Or is the threat already here?

A New Baby, a New Battle, and a New Future

The arrival of this child forces every character involved to reevaluate their lives. Alex must confront responsibility like never before. Stephanie must decide whether her love for Alex is strong enough to survive a baby with another woman. And Joy must face the consequences of running away—and the new dangers closing in on her.

As Salem braces for more drama, secrets, and emotional explosions, one thing is clear:

This baby isn’t just a blessing—it’s a bomb waiting to go off.

Joy’s return marks the beginning of a storyline that will reshape relationships, ignite rivalries, and shake the Kiriakis and Johnson families to their core.

Salem hasn’t seen a shock like this in years… and the fallout is only just beginning.