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Julie stares blankly while sitting in her dark living room. Chad comes home and flips on the light. She admits she puts off going to bed as long as she can because it’s lonely without Doug. Tearing up, Julie recalls her friend from California telling her she felt the absence of her deceased husband every hour of every day. Her words haunt Julie now.

She should have seen that Doug was failing, but he never complained. Did she just not want to see it? Was she responsible because she wasn’t paying attention? Chad emphatically says she was an incredible wife. Doug was lucky to have her. The feeling of not doing enough has to be part of the grieving process because he felt the same way after Abby died. That may be, but Julie doesn’t know who she is now and can’t seem to figure it out. “But you will,” Chad says. “You just gotta be patient.”

Julie worries about him having to grieve for Abigail all over again. Chad says they don’t have to worry about that anymore since Cat is in Vancouver while her mother is in police custody. He doesn’t know when or if they’ll see her again, but he did see a different side to her. It was hard to ignore that she was just trying to save her mother’s life. He hasn’t quite forgiven her, but he understands her better. Julie asks if has feelings for her. Chad assures Julie that nothing will happen between him and Cat Greene.

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In the Square, Cat approaches Marlena’s table and apologizes for her shameful behavior. Marlena understands what Clyde is capable of. Cat appreciates that and asks to speak with John about what happened with her mother in Greece. Marlena invites Cat to tell her since John is out of town.

Cat recounts that her grandmother was trapped in an abusive marriage to Konstantin, who would never let her leave with their daughter, Catherina. So, she reached out to Victor for help. Victor sent John to Greece to fake Catherina’s death. The cover story was that John was giving Konstantin a warning, but he was actually making it look like Catherina had died so Konstantin’s wife could leave and secretly raise her daughter in the States. John didn’t just help; he saved Catherina’s life “Your husband’s a hero.” Marlena is grateful to hear the truth. After all the pain and suffering she’s caused, Cat’s relieved to be lifting someone’s spirits for a change.

In a Kiriakis bedroom, Holly asks a battered Doug III for the real reason he didn’t want her to call the police about his “mugging.” He admits he sold the Horton time capsule necklace to repay a debut, but he was still short. Holly’s incensed, but Doug cares about Julie and can’t tell her the truth. He hopes Holly won’t either.

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Downstairs in the living room, Xander grouses to Sarah about “that stupid bloody letter” that helped make Philip his co-CEO and vents about Philip nixing his plan to obliterate the DiMeras. Sarah learns that Xander was planning to break the law “just a little bit” to make it happen but Philip didn’t like his tactics. Sarah doesn’t either because Xander needs to be there for her and Victoria. Xander assures her that nothing is more important than his family. He promises to devote his life to earning her love and respect. In return, Sarah promises to devote her life to keeping him in line. He quips that she’s the expert.

After they canoodle, Sarah plans to give Kayla the research she’s been working on and tell her she wants to return to work full-time. Xander is delighted to hear it, but first, he’d like one more kiss. She happily obliges.

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At Titan, Stephanie’s mouth drops as she overhears Philip talking to Kate on the phone about the forged letter. When she confronts him about it, Philip admits that Vivian forged the letter and declares he deserves to run Titan. She calls him a fraud and yells at him for putting her and Belle’s careers in jeopardy since they helped him. Philip wants to talk about it over dinner. “There is no dinner,” she says with exasperation. “In fact, you and I are through.” Philip is surprised she wants to end things over this. She reminds him what he did is a felony, and she won’t let him put her in jeopardy again. He muses that she’s really ending things because she wants to be with Alex. Stephanie doesn’t care what he believes. “I’m done here.”

In the Square, Cat tells Marlena that her brother Aaron is staying with their mother in Vancouver since he has enough credits to graduate early. She’ll stay there and look after Felicity, but she needs a job. Marlena says she needs a new assistant and offers to interview her. Cat is grateful.

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At the Horton House, Chad gets a message about an issue with tomorrow’s paper. Before he leaves, he suggests that talking to Marlena could help Julie. She’ll think about it.

At the Kiriakis mansion, Holly agrees to stay quiet. She doesn’t approve of what Doug did, but she understands since his life was in danger. He says it still is. He needs to find a way to pay back what he owes, or next time, it will be worse. He can’t ask his dad for money because they don’t get along, and getting a job will take too long. Holly offers to ask her loaded grandmother for a loan. He wonders why she’d do that for him. Holly points out he’s been there for her during her Tate drama, and she doesn’t want to see him die. Doug promises to pay her back, but it will take time. They shake on it. She leaves to wash the blood out of his shirt. Doug holds his side as he sits on the bed. His wince turns to an inscrutable grin.

Alone at the Horton House, Julie pauses at the staircase before taking a few slow steps upward. She stops midway with a crestfallen expression. “No,” she says with a heavy sigh. “Not tonight.” She turns back to the living room and gazes at Doug’s photo. Her distressed expression twists as she curls up on the couch with a blanket.

In the Square, a perplexed Chad literally bumps into Cat.

Outside the Pub, Marlena calls Shane in hopes of getting in touch with John. There’s something really important he needs to know.

In the Kiriakis mansion, Xander opens his laptop to find another way to raise Titan’s profits. “Pending Philip’s approval, of course,” he snarks and then growls about Victor writing that damn letter.

At Titan, Philip leaves an apologetic voicemail to Stephanie. But he also needs to know she won’t tell anyone about that letter being forged.

Stephanie finds Sarah dropping off her research in Kayla’s office. Stephanie tells her Philip has no business being co-CEO with Xander.