While Salem is celebrating Theo’s miracle, another intense psychological crisis erupts.

Leo Stark, a cunning and emotional character, falls into a severe crisis when Dimitri von Leuschner – his former lover – unexpectedly returns.

This return is like a bomb exploding in the already precarious relationship between Leo and Javi Hernandez.

Leo begins to spiral into fear and paranoia.

He suffers from insomnia, haunted by dreams of Dimitri standing in the shadows whispering: “You never truly escaped me.” Leo’s breakdown forces Marlena Evans – a psychiatrist and close friend – to intervene. She arranges an emergency therapy session that very night, just as Leo is showing signs of panic and nearly harming himself.

In the dimly lit room, Marlena gently sat opposite Leo, her voice calm and steady: “What are you running away from, Leo?” The question, seemingly simple, cut like a knife. Leo burst into tears, admitting that he had never truly forgotten Dimitri, despite trying his best to love Javi. He feared himself, afraid that if Dimitri returned, his heart would betray his current partner. Marlena didn’t blame him; she simply said, “Love isn’t something that can be erased, but you must choose yourself first – before choosing anyone else.”

The scene of Leo crying in Marlena’s arms brought tears to the audience’s eyes. He was both a victim of love and a culprit of his own emotions. The climax of the episode was when Javi arrived at the hospital, witnessing Leo emerging from the treatment room, his eyes red and swollen. Without a word, Javi embraced him, whispering, “I don’t need you to be perfect, I just need you to be honest.” A simple statement that was enough for the audience to understand – true love sometimes doesn’t begin with perfection, but with brokenness mended by sincerity.