Betrayal is brewing in Salem, and the storm finally hits.

Xander, fueled by Vivian’s shocking confession about the forged letter, storms into confrontation with Philip. Their shaky alliance shatters as Xander demands answers, realizing that his trust—and perhaps his future—was manipulated. Philip, cornered and defensive, is blindsided when Vivian gleefully admits to exposing their secret. Her motive? A cold reminder that she still pulls the strings. The fallout is instant—Xander is enraged, Philip is panicked, and Vivian walks away with a triumphant smirk, having wrecked another scheme.

Meanwhile, JJ confides in Shawn about his uneasy interrogation with Gabby. Her story keeps shifting, and JJ, despite his feelings, can’t ignore the inconsistencies. Shawn, skeptical but professional, is interrupted by a potential break in the case—a gun found in the park. The serial number? Registered to none other than Melinda Trask.

Melinda, who just accepted Gabby as her client, finds herself on the defensive. She insists she loaned the gun to Ava for protection, citing Rachel Blake’s recent threats. But with Ava’s criminal past, that defense quickly unravels. JJ and Shawn don’t buy it, and though they stop short of booking Melinda, she’s now firmly in the crosshairs of the investigation.

Elsewhere, Vivian revels in the chaos she’s caused. When she runs into Gabby, sparks fly. Insults and veiled threats are exchanged, but Vivian makes it clear—Gabby has already lost. Her son, Stefan, wants nothing to do with her. And that’s punishment enough.

Back in the Hernandez kitchen, Rafe tries to uncover the truth via a secret recording, only to be interrupted by a surprise visit from Sami. A farewell turns into a confession—Rafe misjudged Jada and now must face the consequences. Emotions run high, and nothing in Salem will ever be the same.