DOOL Next Week Preview Promo: February 9–13, 2026 – Salem on the Brink of Chaos

If there is one thing Days of Our Lives never fails to deliver, it’s emotional devastation wrapped in high-stakes drama—and the week of February 9 to 13, 2026, promises to be one of the most explosive yet. Salem becomes a pressure cooker of secrets, betrayals, and long-simmering tensions finally boiling over. From Holly’s emotional breakdown to Gwen and Julie’s volcanic showdown, from romantic sparks to shocking arrests and haunting farewells, every storyline collides in a way that leaves no character untouched.

Let’s begin with the moment that sets the emotional tone for the entire week: Holly’s explosive loss of control. For months, fans have watched Holly endure heartbreak after heartbreak—family secrets, romantic betrayals, and the crushing weight of expectations that she never asked for. By February 10, all that pain reaches a breaking point. In a scene dripping with raw intensity, Holly finally confronts the person she believes is responsible for her latest humiliation. Her voice shakes with rage, her hands tremble, and before anyone can stop her, she lashes out—emotionally and physically—shattering a vase that mirrors her own fractured spirit.

This isn’t just another soap tantrum. Holly’s breakdown exposes years of buried trauma: unresolved grief, abandonment issues, and the fear that she will always come second in everyone’s life. Her outburst forces those around her to confront how deeply they’ve failed her. Allies may become enemies, and enemies may realize they’ve pushed her too far. The ripple effects are massive—relationships are strained, loyalties tested, and Holly’s future in Salem suddenly feels uncertain. Is this the beginning of her redemption arc, or the moment she finally loses everything?

Meanwhile, another long-awaited confrontation explodes when Gwen and Julie go head-to-head. These two powerhouse women represent different generations of Salem, but their clash proves that age means nothing when pride and pain collide. Their argument erupts in public—possibly at Horton Square—where secrets have a way of becoming scandals. Julie, fiercely protective of her family, accuses Gwen of manipulating her way into their lives. Gwen, never one to back down, fires back with brutal honesty, reminding Julie that her own past is far from spotless.

Their verbal war is layered with history, resentment, and unresolved guilt. Julie’s authority as Salem’s moral compass is shaken, while Gwen’s role as the eternal outsider becomes painfully clear. This confrontation isn’t just personal—it symbolizes the eternal battle between tradition and rebellion, forgiveness and revenge. By the end of their clash, both women are left emotionally shaken, and the damage may be impossible to undo.

Yet amid the chaos, romance tries to find a way to breathe again. Gwen and Xander—once one of Salem’s most complicated couples—find themselves drifting back into each other’s orbit. Both are wounded, both are lonely, and both are haunted by their past mistakes. A seemingly lighthearted golf outing turns into something deeper, as laughter gives way to lingering looks and unspoken longing. Xander opens up about his regrets, while Gwen admits she’s terrified of being hurt again.

Their chemistry is undeniable, but so is their baggage. Old betrayals hover between them like ghosts on the fairway. Is this the start of a second chance, or a prelude to another devastating heartbreak? Fans will be torn between rooting for their reunion and fearing the inevitable fallout if history repeats itself.

On a more hopeful note, Eli delivers the kind of news Julie desperately needs. After months of emotional isolation, he tells her that Lani and the children are coming back to Salem. The moment is tender, intimate, and deeply emotional. Julie’s tears of joy remind viewers that even in the darkest storylines, Days of Our Lives still believes in the healing power of family. This return doesn’t just comfort Julie—it has the potential to reshape the Horton family dynamic, bringing new alliances, old conflicts, and long-awaited reunions.

But happiness is short-lived in Salem. The custody battle involving Jack, Jennifer, Chad, and Cat reaches a heartbreaking resolution. The decision to keep Cat at a distance feels like a necessary evil, born from fear and mistrust. Yet when Chad later declares he’s taking the kids to Arizona, the emotional stakes skyrocket. His departure feels final, heavy with sorrow and unresolved anger. Is this Chad’s goodbye to Salem, or merely another temporary escape from a town that refuses to let its people go?

Elsewhere, suspicion continues to poison relationships as Jeremy remains the prime suspect in Alex’s stalking nightmare. Despite his innocence, Jeremy is trapped in a web of doubt and accusations. Their confrontation in a crowded café becomes painfully intense—Alex’s fear clashes with Jeremy’s desperation to clear his name. The real stalker remains hidden, manipulating events from the shadows while Jeremy’s reputation crumbles. This storyline taps into the psychological cost of being falsely accused, reminding viewers how easily trust can be destroyed.

And then comes the shocker of the week: Rafe arrests Dmitri in Horton Square. The public humiliation stuns everyone, especially Leo, who watches in disbelief as Dmitri is taken away in handcuffs. But nothing in Salem is ever what it seems. Behind the scenes, Rafe is playing a dangerous game, using Dmitri as bait to expose Vivian—the real mastermind behind Stefan’s captivity. This twist transforms a simple arrest into a high-risk operation filled with deception, moral ambiguity, and potential disaster if Rafe’s plan backfires.

As if that weren’t enough, the DiMera family gathers for Stefano’s funeral arrangements, turning the week even darker. The crypt becomes a stage for unresolved grief, buried resentment, and simmering power struggles. EJ tries to remain composed, Chad grieves quietly, Tony masks pain with humor, and Kristen watches with calculating eyes. Stefano’s legacy looms over them all, reminding everyone that his influence doesn’t die with him—it mutates, spreading chaos long after his passing.

Rafe then drops a bombshell: if Stefano is truly gone, Gabi could inherit a massive portion of the DiMera fortune. This revelation instantly repositions Gabi as one of the most powerful players in Salem. Money, after all, changes everything. Friends become enemies, lovers become rivals, and danger becomes inevitable.

The week ends on a haunting note when Rolf reveals Stefano’s final words to EJ. The cryptic message feels like a curse and a prophecy all at once, hinting that Stefano’s shadow will continue to shape Salem’s future. Even in death, he remains a puppet master.

From emotional breakdowns to strategic arrests, romantic rekindlings to heartbreaking goodbyes, the week of February 9–13 is a masterclass in soap storytelling. Days of Our Lives reminds us why we keep coming back: because in Salem, every secret has consequences, every love comes with a cost, and no one escapes the past unscathed.