Chanel Takes Tesoro – Leo Loses Control and Shocking Scheme to Take Tesoro Back! | Days of Our Lives
Days of Our Lives: Chanel Takes Tesoro – Leo Loses Control and Shocking Scheme to Take Tesoro Back! | Days of Our Lives
Salem is about to erupt in emotional chaos as love, loss, and loyalty clash in one of the most intense storylines the show has delivered in months. At the heart of it all lies a baby—once called Tesoro, meaning “treasure”—whose adoption ignites a war that will tear families apart, test old friendships, and question what it truly means to do the right thing.
This week’s Days of Our Lives promises to unravel a storyline packed with heartbreak, confrontation, and impossible choices as Johnny and Chanel DiMera celebrate their greatest joy, while Leo Stark and Javi Hernandez face unbearable devastation.
Johnny and Chanel’s Dream Come True
After months of heartache, legal hurdles, and dashed hopes, Johnny and Chanel finally receive the news they’ve longed for: they are officially approved to adopt baby Tesoro. Their elation knows no bounds as Belle Black delivers the long-awaited announcement—Johnny and Chanel are now parents to a healthy baby boy, whom they will rename Trey, short for John III.
Their decision to name the child after the iconic John Black is both touching and symbolic, a tribute to the man whose strength and integrity shaped Salem for decades. It’s not just a name—it’s a legacy. For Johnny, this adoption represents redemption and the hope of building a life free from the DiMera family’s dark past. For Chanel, it’s the realization of a lifelong dream: to become a mother.
The DiMera and Price families come together in celebration, and for a brief moment, the joy feels limitless. Paulina Price beams with pride, ready to shower her new grandbaby with all the love and protection she can offer, while Marlena Evans, stepping into her role as Trey’s great-grandmother, brings warmth and wisdom to the moment. Even EJ DiMera makes a rare, emotional appearance—though his presence comes with deep regret.
EJ’s Heartbreaking Promise
Behind his stoic expression, EJ carries a secret that gnaws at him. During the adoption process, Amy Choi, the official overseeing the case, forced EJ to make a painful promise: to stay out of Trey’s life entirely. His past crimes and the DiMera family’s notorious reputation left no room for compromise. For a man whose entire existence revolves around family, being told he cannot play a role in his grandson’s life is a devastating blow.
EJ’s attempts to mask his heartbreak crumble when he confides in Gwen von Leuschner, who understands better than anyone what it’s like to be shut out of a family’s inner circle. Their growing connection could spark something unexpected—a rare moment of vulnerability for EJ, and perhaps even a surprising alliance.
But EJ’s struggle won’t go unnoticed. Abe Carver, ever the moral compass, warns him to keep his distance for the sake of the child, reminding him that his choices could either protect or destroy the fragile happiness his son and daughter-in-law have just found.
Leo and Javi’s Devastating Goodbye
As one household celebrates, another is plunged into despair. Leo Stark and Javi Hernandez, who lovingly fostered baby Tesoro from infancy, face the heart-shattering reality of saying goodbye. They had changed his diapers, soothed his cries, and watched him take his first steps. For them, Tesoro wasn’t just a foster child—he was family.
Leo, often the quick-witted comic relief of Salem, struggles to maintain his usual flamboyant charm. Underneath the snark and bravado lies a man utterly crushed by loss. Javi, the steady and nurturing half of the pair, finds himself broken as well. Their home feels hollow, every sound reminding them of the little boy they can no longer hold.
Their pain mirrors the heartbreak of Ariana “Ari” Horton, who had also formed a deep attachment to Tesoro. For Ari—whose own family has been marred by loss and uncertainty—the baby symbolized hope. Now, with him gone, she’s left reeling, desperate to find meaning in his absence.
Aaron’s Guilt and Second Thoughts
No one feels more conflicted than Aaron Green, Tesoro’s biological father. After discovering he had a son, Aaron made the difficult choice to sign away his parental rights, believing it was the best decision for the baby’s future. But now, with the adoption finalized and Trey’s new life beginning, doubts start to consume him.
He turns to Tate Black for support, confiding his torment—the sleepless nights, the gnawing guilt, the haunting question of whether he made a terrible mistake. Tate listens with quiet empathy, but the conversation only deepens Aaron’s turmoil. Should he fight to reclaim his son? Or should he accept that he’s already done what’s best, no matter how painful it feels?
Ari becomes a voice of reason in Aaron’s storm of regret. She gently reminds him that love sometimes means letting go—that Trey will grow up in a home full of stability, resources, and love. But as Aaron wrestles with his conscience, the line between what’s right and what’s bearable begins to blur.
Leo’s Breaking Point – The Shocking Scheme
Meanwhile, Leo’s grief takes a darker turn. Unable to accept the loss, he begins to spiral emotionally, convincing himself that Tesoro—his Tesoro—was meant to be with him and Javi all along. When he learns of Aaron’s growing doubts, Leo sees an opportunity.
He approaches Aaron with a dangerous proposition: to challenge the adoption. Together, they could claim that Aaron was coerced into signing away his rights too quickly. Leo believes they can expose flaws in the process, reclaim the baby, and “bring Tesoro home where he belongs.”

But Leo’s desperation blinds him to the potential fallout. His reckless plan threatens to undo everything Johnny and Chanel have fought for. Javi pleads with Leo to let go, but Leo’s obsession deepens. He starts digging into the DiMera family’s past, hoping to uncover dirt that could sway the court’s opinion if the case goes public.
As Leo crosses ethical—and possibly legal—lines, even his friends begin to pull away. His pain has twisted into vengeance, and Salem can sense the storm brewing.
The Brewing Battle
The situation escalates when Aaron, guilt-ridden and uncertain, hesitates to go along with Leo’s plan. But rumors of a potential challenge to the adoption spread quickly, reaching Johnny and Chanel’s ears. Panic sets in as they realize their newfound happiness could crumble overnight.
The Days of Our Lives community braces for confrontation. Will Leo go through with his scheme? Will Aaron change his mind and fight for custody? And how will Johnny and Chanel protect their son if their world suddenly falls apart?
Tensions rise as Salem takes sides. Paulina and Abe rally fiercely behind Chanel, while Gwen and EJ quietly sympathize with Leo’s grief, understanding what it’s like to lose something precious. The lines are drawn, and the emotional stakes couldn’t be higher.
A City Divided – And Forever Changed
As the storyline unfolds, Salem becomes a city split in two—those rejoicing in new beginnings and those mourning what they’ve lost. Every character is forced to confront the uncomfortable truth: when one family’s dream is born from another’s heartbreak, can there truly be a happy ending?
For Johnny and Chanel, this is the start of their life as parents, filled with laughter, sleepless nights, and the promise of unconditional love. For Leo, Javi, Ari, and Aaron, it’s the beginning of a painful journey toward acceptance, even as they nurse the scars left behind.
And as for EJ—watching from the sidelines, bound by his promise—he remains the silent observer of a family he can’t touch, wondering if redemption will ever come for a DiMera.
In the end, Days of Our Lives reminds us that family isn’t defined by blood or legality—it’s built on love, sacrifice, and the courage to let go. But in Salem, letting go has never come easily. And as Leo’s obsession grows, one thing becomes clear: this isn’t the end of the Tesoro story. It’s just the beginning of a battle that could change everything.
Brace yourself—because when Leo Stark loses control, Salem trembles.