Deep underground in Salem, in the DiMera family crypt, it’s not just the cold that surrounds them. It’s also where Chad must confront his deepest fear: losing his children to the endless battles of the adults.

Kidnapped and imprisoned with Tony, Kristen, and Theo, Chad not only worries about his own life but is also haunted by the image of Thomas and Charlotte standing before the court, hearing the declaration that their father has “abandoned” them.

In the December 12th spoiler episode, Chad has a long conversation with Theo, almost a rare moment where he allows himself to be vulnerable in front of others.

He talks about his fear of the custody trial taking place in his absence, about how the legal system doesn’t care that he’s locked up in the crypt, only looking at the record that he “didn’t show up.”

Each line reveals more to the audience: Chad, despite bearing the DiMera surname and possessing all sorts of cunning, is ultimately a father who fears losing his child more than anything else.

He tries to reassure himself, believing that everything will eventually become clear, that the law won’t be so unjust. But Chad has lost too many people he loves, from his wife to his relatives, so he doesn’t easily believe in a rosy future. The tomb, a symbol of the DiMera family’s history of crime, now becomes a place where a man sits counting the worst possible outcomes for his child. That image deeply affects those who have long viewed Chad as a cold, spoiled young man.

On the surface, EJ continues his double-dealing with Gwen. He suspects Leo of being a threat to his plan, demanding that Gwen “deal with” her former best friend once and for all. Gwen is put in a difficult position: on one side is EJ, a dangerous boss who holds too many of her secrets; On the other side was Leo, with whom she had shared many hardships.