The episode begins in Canada with Cat and Chad arriving at a motel, while JJ and Gabi check into their room at another hotel.
Meanwhile, Lani, Chanel, and Paulina are enjoying a spa day with manicures and facials. Lani expresses that she wishes she had more time to spend with Chanel and Johnny. Paulina takes the opportunity to comment that Johnny has been acting like a jackass lately.
At the DiMera mansion, Johnny and EJ have a conversation, during which EJ inadvertently lets slip that Joy “won’t be a problem.” Johnny picks up on this and presses EJ for clarification.
At Alex’s apartment, Joy stops by to say goodbye. Alex asks her what’s going on, and Joy reveals she’s quitting Body and Soul and moving back to New York City. Alex is surprised, calling her talented and saying this decision seems sudden. Joy insists it’s for the best, which Alex interprets as being best for Johnny.
Back at the DiMera mansion, EJ admits to Johnny that he’s paying Joy to leave. Johnny is visibly unhappy, but EJ explains that he’s had a tough year and wanted a peaceful Thanksgiving, which Joy ruined. EJ also mentions how Joy keeps “popping up.” Johnny demands that EJ undo the arrangement, but EJ insists he can’t and tries to justify his actions.
At the motel, Cat questions whether Clyde knows they’re using a decoy of JJ and Gabi. Chad remarks that if Clyde did, they’d already be dead. Chad also makes it clear that he doesn’t trust Cat and will not let her out of his sight.
Meanwhile, the hotel delivers a package to JJ—it’s from Clyde.
Back at Alex’s apartment, Alex questions why Joy is the only one facing consequences when Johnny was equally involved. He reminds her about the contract she signed and warns that she could be sued by Abe and Kate. Joy responds that someone will handle it and reveals that EJ is pressuring her to leave town.
EJ tells Johnny outright that he bribed Joy to leave. Johnny is frustrated, accusing EJ of trying to “fix” his problems, but EJ pleads with Johnny to let him handle the situation for the sake of peace.
At the spa, Paulina continues venting about Johnny, but Chanel interrupts, defending him and saying he feels terrible about what happened. Lani empathizes with Johnny, recalling a time when she made a similar mistake with JJ. She shares her story about misunderstanding JJ’s relationship with Gabi, which led her to sleep with Eli and become pregnant with David Abraham.
She reflects on how it changed everything between her and JJ.
Back at the motel, Gabi and JJ read Clyde’s letter. JJ thanks Gabi for helping him, saying he’s doing it for Abigail. Gabi replies that she’s doing it for herself too—she doesn’t want Clyde to hurt anyone else.
Cat declares she’s not leaving because her mother’s life is on the line. Chad reluctantly agrees to help her rescue her mother but reminds her his main goal is recovering Abigail’s remains. Cat retorts that she knows his dead wife is more important to him than her living mother. Their tense exchange ends when Cat leaves to take a shower.
JJ is about to call Chad when he gets a call from his dad, who delivers the shocking news that Doug has died.
At the spa, Lani and Chanel discuss their past relationships. Chanel shares how she couldn’t forgive Allie for cheating on her and reflects on how her love for Johnny wouldn’t be enough to overcome that type of betrayal. Lani reassures her, saying if both she and Johnny still feel love for each other, their marriage can grow stronger.
At the DiMera mansion, Johnny continues to argue with EJ, saying he can’t justify bribing Joy to leave. EJ insists that one mistake shouldn’t ruin Johnny’s marriage, but Johnny reveals someone else knows about the situation.
At Alex’s apartment, Joy tells Alex it’s too late—she’s already picking up her check and leaving. She asks Alex to stay out of it and make sure no one finds out about her and Johnny.
Back at the motel, Chad receives the news about Doug’s death and shares it with Cat. Clearly affected, he speaks about what
Doug meant to him and his children. Cat offers her condolences, while Gabi comforts JJ, saying everyone wishes they could have a love like Doug and Julie’s. JJ reflects on how helpful Doug always was.
Later, Chanel decides to leave to be with Johnny. Before she goes, she and Paulina discuss Body and Soul and her working relationship with her husband.
At the cemetery, Lani and Paulina visit David Abraham’s grave. Paulina mentions that she visits often, and they share a quiet moment of reflection.
At the DiMera mansion, EJ finds out Alex knows about his deal with Joy. He warns Johnny to be cautious, saying Alex could use this knowledge to his advantage. Joy and Alex say their goodbyes, with Alex still urging her to stay.
Back at the motel, Cat and Chad prepare for bed, but Chad insists on keeping watch. Meanwhile, JJ and Gabi also prepare for bed. JJ offers Gabi the bed, but she says they can share since they’ve done so before and there’s plenty of room.
In the final scenes, Joy has a tense meeting with EJ, who tells her to pack up and leave town. At the DiMera mansion, Alex confronts Johnny about his actions with Joy and Chanel. Their argument escalates until Chanel walks in, demanding to know what’s going on.
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