From Marlena in the hospital, to Sophia and Rachel in Bayview – it’s all just the tip of the iceberg.

The biggest drama quietly consuming Salem is Chad DiMera’s disappearance.

No one knows where Chad is. No one knows if he disappeared voluntarily or was taken.

And worse, the DiMera family is divided over it.

EJ frantically searches for clues, furious at anyone who appears to be “withholding information.” Belle suspects Chad is hiding because he fears a secret will be revealed. Abigail believes Chad is in danger. Leo, who holds the mystery of Marlena, accidentally finds himself in the middle of the storm: he hears enough, sees enough, and knows that the small pieces connect dangerously.

But the twist lies in the Bayview psychiatric hospital. Scattered clues suggest that Chad may have been seen near the area – or even taken inside under the guise of “treatment”. If true, Sophia and Rachel are not just side characters, but are directly related to Chad – or at least witnesses.

So why did Chad disappear? A chilling theory for fans: Chad accidentally learned the dark secret of a power in Salem – and was “peacefully” eliminated by being locked in Bayview, erasing all traces. Moreover, Marlena’s illness may not be natural. Her insomnia, heart arrhythmia, panic attacks… may be related to Chad – or something Chad discovered.

The drama gets worse when the family’s love affair turns into a fractured phase. Couples are suspicious of each other: no one trusts anyone, everyone looks at each other with fear of betrayal. The most beautiful love can fall apart, and marriages that were once strong are at risk of falling apart because of the only question: “Who is hiding Chad?”

The most painful but logical scenario: Chad returns – but he is no longer Chad. He may panic, lose control, or bring back memories that will shock everyone. And from there, the drama will peak: the DiMera family collapses, friends turn against each other, the hospital becomes a psychological battlefield.

Salem is facing its biggest storm yet. And Chad – whether he survives or returns in any form – is the key to unlocking the darkest winter in Days of Our Lives history.