When it comes to love in Salem, no couple is ever safe. But Days of Our Lives fans were stunned this week when Xander Cook and Sarah

Horton’s already fragile relationship took a shocking turn during a therapy session with none other than Dr. Marlena Evans. What was

supposed to be a safe space for healing and reconciliation instead turned into a battlefield, leaving the couple more divided than ever

 

 

before. And to everyone’s surprise, it was Marlena herself—known as the rock-solid voice of reason in Salem—who accidentally drove the wedge between them.

Trouble in Paradise

For months, viewers have watched Xander and Sarah try to rebuild their relationship after a series of betrayals, lies, and painful misunderstandings. Their love story has always been passionate but equally volatile, making them one of Salem’s most unpredictable couples.

 

 

Sarah, still haunted by Xander’s criminal past and his questionable choices, has struggled to trust him fully. Meanwhile, Xander has been desperate to prove he’s changed, though his temper and impulsive decisions keep getting in the way. Marlena suggested therapy as a way to mend their bond. But instead of bringing healing, the session only unearthed deeper wounds.

Marlena’s Honest But Costly Advice

During the session, spoilers reveal that Marlena encouraged both Xander and Sarah to speak their truths without holding back. She believed that honesty—no matter how painful—would help them find clarity. But in practice, the truth proved devastating.

 

 

Sarah admitted she still doubts Xander’s ability to be the man she needs, confessing that she fears he’ll always fall back into his darker habits. Xander, stung by her words, lashed out with his own painful admission: that he feels Sarah will never truly forgive him for his past, no matter what he does.

Instead of soothing the tension, Marlena’s gentle prodding only escalated the confrontation. Viewers were left cringing as the therapy session spiraled out of control, with Xander storming out of Marlena’s office while Sarah broke down in tears.

Did Marlena Go Too Far?

Though Marlena has been Salem’s trusted therapist for decades, even the best doctors can make mistakes. Fans are already debating whether her well-intentioned approach actually made things worse.

“Why would Marlena push them to be that brutally honest when they were already on the edge?” one fan wrote on social media. Another added, “Marlena basically broke them up. I love her, but she should have known better with Xander’s temper.”

Of course, others argue that the couple needed to face these hard truths eventually. “Marlena didn’t break them up—Xander and Sarah’s problems did. She just forced them to stop pretending everything was okay,” one viewer pointed out.

The Fallout

The aftermath of the disastrous therapy session will ripple through Salem. Sarah, feeling vulnerable and abandoned, confides in her mother Maggie about what went down, while Xander drowns his frustration at The Brady Pub. Spoilers hint that in his anger, Xander may make a reckless choice that could push Sarah even further away.

Meanwhile, Marlena is left shaken by her role in the collapse of the session. Always one to question herself, she wonders if she mishandled the situation and whether her “help” ended up doing more harm than good.

What This Means for Xander and Sarah

The big question is whether Xander and Sarah’s love can survive this latest setback. On one hand, their bond has endured so many ups and downs that another breakup might feel temporary. But this time, the wounds cut especially deep. Sarah’s confession that she may never fully trust Xander—and Xander’s belief that she’ll never forgive him—strike at the core of their relationship.

Spoilers suggest the couple will spend the next few weeks apart, questioning whether they’re truly meant to be together. Sarah may lean on old friends for support, while Xander finds himself tempted by dangerous old habits.

Fans React

The fan base is fiercely divided. Some are devastated, feeling like Marlena’s involvement robbed the couple of a fair chance. Others are excited to see the drama unfold, pointing out that Xander and Sarah’s chaotic love story is exactly why they tune in.