Salem is about to be shaken to its core once again, as the Carver family faces one of the most heart-wrenching conflicts in Days of Our Lives history. A storm brews within Abe Carver’s household when his beloved son, Theo, makes a life-altering decision that threatens to destroy everything his father has spent a lifetime protecting. What begins as a career opportunity soon spirals into a devastating moral and emotional crisis—one that could repeat the darkest chapter of the Carver family’s past.

For decades, Abe Carver has stood as one of Salem’s most honorable men—a police commander, a leader, and a moral compass amid a town riddled with corruption. His entire life has been defined by integrity, justice, and his commitment to raising Theo to follow that same path. Alongside his late wife Lexie, Abe made a sacred vow: Theo would never fall prey to the dangerous influence of the DiMera empire. Abe witnessed firsthand the chaos that the DiMeras brought to Salem—their manipulation, criminal connections, and ruthless hunger for control. To Abe, that family name represents everything he has fought against.

But now, despite all of Abe’s efforts, that legacy of deceit is threatening to ensnare his son.

Theo, who rebuilt his life after the tragic shooting that nearly cost him everything, has made a name for himself as a hardworking, ethical young man. After years of rehabilitation in South Africa, he returned to Salem stronger than ever, eager to make a difference. His journey—marked by resilience, intelligence, and determination—became a source of pride for his father. Abe believed that his son’s autism spectrum diagnosis had become a symbol of strength, not limitation, and that Theo’s empathy and honesty would shield him from the corruption that had consumed so many others.

Then came Tony DiMera’s offer.

In a move that shocks the entire town, Tony approaches Theo with a proposition that seems almost too good to be true: to become the new CEO of DiMera Enterprises. For a young man still early in his career, the offer represents an astronomical rise to power—a chance to reshape one of Salem’s most notorious companies. Tony, ever the smooth manipulator, convinces Theo that he can “change things from within,” painting a vision of reform and legitimacy for the DiMera name. But beneath Tony’s persuasive charm lies something far darker.

Salem insiders whisper that Tony has changed dramatically in recent months. Once seen as the voice of reason in a ruthless family, Tony now appears consumed by ambition. His ethical compass has vanished, replaced by a hunger for dominance that rivals even EJ’s worst tendencies. Some speculate that something sinister is influencing him—others fear he’s finally embraced the DiMera darkness he once despised. His recent dealings—manipulating Gabi Hernandez into corporate espionage against Titan Industries—suggest that Tony’s moral decline is no illusion. And now, Theo may be his next pawn.

What makes the situation even more dangerous is Paulina Price’s secret involvement. Believing she’s helping her stepson, Paulina encourages Theo to accept the offer, convinced he has the moral strength to reform DiMera Enterprises. Her optimism blinds her to the grim truth: no one, not even someone as pure-hearted as Theo, escapes the DiMera web unscathed. Paulina’s interference, however well-intentioned, drives a painful wedge between her and Abe. When Abe discovers that his wife has been advising Theo behind his back, the betrayal cuts deep—threatening not just their marriage but the unity of the entire family.

For Abe, this is more than just a professional disagreement—it’s a nightmare come to life. He still carries the trauma of the day he nearly lost his son to a DiMera-related shooting. The hospital memories, the sleepless nights, the helplessness—it all floods back as he watches Theo walk straight toward the very danger he’s spent a lifetime shielding him from. Abe knows all too well that being CEO of DiMera Enterprises isn’t just a job—it’s a death sentence waiting to happen.

To make matters worse, Tony’s deceitful dealings have sparked another dangerous rivalry. Before offering the CEO position to Theo, Tony had promised it to Gabi Hernandez as payment for her loyalty and assistance in reclaiming control of the company. Now, feeling betrayed and humiliated, Gabi is furious—and Gabi Hernandez is not a woman anyone should underestimate. Her history in Salem is paved with revenge, and she’s not one to let betrayal slide. If Tony thinks he can manipulate her and walk away unscathed, he’s gravely mistaken. Unfortunately, Theo—innocent, trusting, and unaware of Tony’s lies—might end up in Gabi’s crosshairs as collateral damage.

Inside sources tease that as Theo accepts the offer, the fallout within the Carver household explodes. Abe’s desperation collides with Theo’s determination in an emotional confrontation that could permanently damage their bond. Theo feels suffocated by his father’s protectiveness, believing that Abe’s fear blinds him to his son’s capabilities. But Abe’s warnings come from experience—he’s seen good men corrupted, manipulated, and destroyed by the DiMeras’ power.

Their argument reaches heartbreaking intensity as Abe tries to make Theo see what’s at stake. “They’ll destroy you, son,” Abe warns. But Theo, emboldened by Paulina’s encouragement and Tony’s empty promises, believes he can be different—that he can resist the darkness that’s swallowed so many before him.

Yet the deeper Theo becomes entangled in DiMera business, the clearer it becomes that Abe’s fears were justified. The boardroom becomes a battlefield, alliances shift, and hidden agendas close in around him. Behind the scenes, Tony’s erratic behavior grows more alarming—his schemes more dangerous. Some whisper that he intends to use Theo as a scapegoat for the company’s illegal operations, setting him up to take the fall for crimes orchestrated by others.

Meanwhile, Gabi plots revenge, quietly gathering evidence and allies to strike back at Tony and anyone connected to him. Salem insiders predict that her retaliation could trigger another violent confrontation—one that might tragically mirror Theo’s past shooting.

Paulina, caught in the middle of the escalating war, begins to realize the magnitude of her mistake. Her guilt intensifies as she sees Abe’s worst nightmare unfold before her eyes. She wanted to believe Theo could change the DiMeras, but she’s forced to face the devastating truth: the DiMeras change everyone, and no one walks away untouched.

As the storyline builds toward its shocking climax, the questions haunting Salem multiply. Will Theo’s integrity be strong enough to survive the corruption of DiMera Enterprises? Can Abe pull his son out before it’s too late? Or will history repeat itself, forcing Abe to relive his greatest fear—a father watching his son fall victim to the same darkness he swore to protect him from?

With Tony’s manipulation deepening, Gabi’s revenge looming, and Abe’s marriage to Paulina crumbling under the weight of secrets and betrayal, the Carver family stands on the brink of collapse. Days of Our Lives fans should brace themselves for an emotional rollercoaster as Theo’s idealism collides with the brutal reality of Salem’s most dangerous dynasty.

As Abe once again finds himself racing against time to save his son, one truth becomes painfully clear—this tragedy isn’t just repeating itself; it’s coming back with vengeance.