Salem hadn’t even had a chance to peacefully enter the new year when the entire town erupted in emotion: Theo Carver unexpectedly woke up after a long coma.

The sight of him opening his eyes in the hospital’s white light brought tears to Paulina Price’s eyes, while Abe Carver – the father who had patiently sat by his son’s bedside for days – could only hug his son’s arm in tears.

It all seemed like a New Year’s miracle, but the truth behind it was far more complicated.

From the moment Theo opened his eyes, he seemed to have lost a crucial part of his memory.

His face was blank, his gaze vacant, and his voice hesitant as he asked, “Where… am I?” Paulina froze, and Abe couldn’t hide his panic. Meanwhile, Salem Memorial Hospital quickly descended into chaos as doctors confirmed Theo’s brain was reacting abnormally – he was awake, but his memory hadn’t fully returned.

News of Theo’s revival spread rapidly throughout Salem. Johnny DiMera and Chanel Dupree were among the first to visit, but Johnny’s arrival caused tension. He brought Theo shocking news: during Theo’s coma, a coup had taken place within DiMera Enterprises. Now, Johnny – who was temporarily running the company – feared that Theo’s awakening would shake the balance of power.