This week’s touching yet thrilling story revolves around Sophia Choi, who has just woken up in Bayview after a long period of treatment.

However, what makes the audience hold their breath is the appearance of Gabi Hernandez – with a “life-changing offer”.

Sophia wakes up in the context that everyone in Salem has seen her as a “time bomb” after the events she caused.

But Gabi – surprisingly – believes that this girl deserves a chance to start over.

Gabi comes to Bayview, carrying a diary and an offer: “Come back to me and Ari. I will help you make things right.”

But it’s not that easy.

Ari – Gabi’s daughter – stands in the hallway listening to the whole conversation. Her eyes are wide open, full of shock and anger. To Ari, Sophia is the one who caused too much damage in the past. And Gabi’s desire to take Sophia home was nothing short of a betrayal.

When Gabi walked out of the room, Ari stood right in front of the door, his voice trembling but determined: “Mom, choose her or me?” That question hit the audience’s heart. Gabi was silent, not avoiding it but also unable to answer.

In another development, Sophia – after hearing that offer – could not hide her confusion. She was not sure she deserved a chance, nor was she sure Gabi really understood what she could entail. The scene of Sophia sitting alone, looking down at her slightly trembling hands, made the audience feel sorry.

The most touching point was the scene where Gabi sat with Sophia in the yard, talking about mistakes and change: “I know that people who make mistakes can fix them. But someone has to believe in them first.” Sophia shed tears, but the audience knew: the road ahead of her was still full of storms.

And there was another secret that no one had told: why did Gabi suddenly want to help Sophia? Did Gabi know something that Ari did not know? Or is Gabi trying to make amends for her past mistakes and being forgiven?

Salem has never been kind, and second chances are sometimes a double-edged sword.