Days of Our Lives Recap - Thursday, July 3, 2025 | Xander Declares War, Sophia Hides the Truth and Leo Becomes a Daddy?

Fireworks might be going off for the Fourth of July, but Salem’s real explosions are happening behind closed doors. Xander’s gearing up for a custody battle, Sophia’s living a lie with her fake baby bump, and Leo is suddenly in full-blown daddy mode. Throw in Holly and Tate’s romantic rewind and Rachel dropping bombshells over breakfast, and Thursday's Days of Our Lives recap is one spicy casserole of drama.

Sophia | DAYS, Peacock

Secrets, Scones and a Side of Guilt at the Brady Pub

Sarah was just enjoying a quiet coffee when Brady and Rachel walked in for a little Independence Day bonding. Rachel asked to go help Roman in the kitchen and Brady wasted no time delivering the drama. He swore Sarah to secrecy when he told her Rachel saw Johnny threaten EJ with a gun. That’s one way to start your morning. The two dove into a real talk about parenting, pain, and Xander (SURPRISE). Sarah admitted that Xander’s temper played a major role in her keeping Victoria’s paternity under wraps. Brady, ever the voice of reason, reminded her that Xander loves that little girl more than anything. But even love can be messy when it comes to custody and control.

Maggie vs. Xander: The Titan Smackdown

Over at the Kiriakis mansion, Maggie gave Xander a reality check that could be heard all the way to Horton Square. He showed up with a stuffed dog for Victoria, only to learn his daughter is scared of them. Oops. Maggie wasn't subtle during this visit, she called him a jackass and reminded him that he doesn’t know his own child. She laid into him for threatening to take full custody, questioning if he’s really the kind of man a judge would hand a baby over to. Xander fired back, bringing up Sarah’s lies about the baby’s paternity and Philip’s fake death drama. But Maggie wasn’t having it. She dared him to stop the war and fight for peace instead. When Victoria’s cries finally broke the tension, Maggie gave the green light for Xander to go see her. Once alone, Maggie broke down. Say what you want, but the woman loves hard and fights harder.

Teddy Bears and a Temporary Truce

After his visit with Victoria, Xander and Sarah crossed paths in Horton Square, and for a fleeting moment, peace was on the menu. He told her the visit went well and offered to replace the terrifying dog with a teddy bear. They both agreed that Victoria is what matters most. If only parenting came with a manual. Or a ceasefire clause.

Tate Tries Again, Holly Hesitates

Tate surprised Holly with an old-school move, popping up behind her after texting for a meetup. Smooth. He asked for a second chance and pitched a dinner and a movie reboot. Holly hesitated, citing her upcoming trip to France and the inevitable doom of long-distance love, but agreed to the date. Meanwhile, Tate mentioned wanting to be in the delivery room for Sophia’s baby. Oh honey. You don’t know the half of it.

Maggie Warns Holly: Love and Babies Are a Complicated Mix

Back at the mansion, Holly shared her happy news with Grandma Maggie. Maggie was cautiously supportive but warned Holly that once Sophia gives birth, things could get emotionally dicey. Giving up a child isn’t something you just bounce back from, and Maggie hinted that Tate and Sophia might bond in a way that Holly isn’t ready for. The look on Holly’s face said it all. That warning landed hard.

Baby Guilt and Big Feelings

Tate checked in with Brady and admitted he’s terrified about what’s to come. Scared, sad, excited, and guilty... basically the full teenage dad starter pack. Brady was a steady presence, but there’s no sugarcoating it. Tate’s in for a whirlwind. Especially with what we know now.

Leo and Javi’s Instant Family

Over in the cutest homestead in Salem, Leo was soothing a fussy foster baby with lullabys and chaos while Javi ran in with supplies. The two settled into their temporary roles as foster dads, but then Javi dropped a surprise; he applied for foster certification behind Leo’s back. That earned a side-eye, but Leo softened when he saw Javi’s heart in the right place. They named the baby Tesoro, meaning treasure, and just like that, Salem’s unlikeliest duo became the town’s most adorable dads. But Javi’s wistful glance at an old baby photo raised a brow. Is there more to his past than he’s letting on?

Sophia’s Shocking Secret

Sophia’s storyline took a haunting turn. She woke up from a nightmare of giving birth... because it wasn’t just a dream. She did give birth, alone, with nothing but a YouTube video to guide her. She met Melinda Trask in the park and spilled everything. Trask, who’s been there herself, promised to help cover up the birth and protect Sophia’s secret. No hospitals, no insurance, and definitely no telling Mom. Sophia’s plan? Fake the rest of her pregnancy until the due date and pretend like nothing happened. At home, she tried on a fake baby bump and gave herself a pep talk in the mirror. One thing’s for sure, this girl is in deep.

So what’s next? Will Sophia’s secret unravel before she can pull off the perfect lie? Can Xander and Sarah really reach a truce or are they heading for all-out war? And are Leo and Javi ready to become full-time dads? Stay tuned, because in Salem, the truth always finds a way to explode and usually right before dessert. Soap Opera Reviews delivers daily spoilers and recaps so you never miss a thing. We live for the drama!