DAYS September 3 Recap: EJ Crashes Belle and Chad's Trip to Rome as Marlena's Memory Could Crack the DiMera Mystery

The DiMera Chess Mystery Is Going International!

At the Brady Pub, Belle is on the phone with her brother Paul and fills him in on everything she and Chad have uncovered surrounding the mysterious DiMera chess puzzle. She has already sent over all the information they have found, but the deeper they dig, the stranger this mystery becomes.

Marlena joins the conversation and gives her daughter a little history lesson because when it comes to the DiMeras and the Brady women, there is a LOT of history. Marlena points out that DiMera men have been obsessed with Brady women for generations, and she begins to wonder if the clues might not be pointing to Italy at all.

Could the answer be in Ireland?

Belle admits that she and Chad are at a disadvantage because the clues seem to have been specifically designed for Marlena and John. Marlena immediately asks to see them. Belle explains that their first stop will be Rome. If they don't find what they're looking for there, they'll move on to Milan.

Side Note: I LOVE a good soapy globe-trotting mystery adventure! Give me secret clues, European cities, ancient family grudges, and a DiMera involved, and I am ALL IN!

Marlena then asks Belle about the Celtic knot. The moment Belle shows it to her mother, Marlena's expression changes, and Belle notices immediately. “Does it trigger a memory?” Marlena says she doesn't recognize the symbol, but warns Belle to be careful. After all, she and John have spent nearly “40 years battling the DiMeras.”

Side Note: Marlena... between being held captive, locked in birdcages, and being the Queen of the Night, you really can't blame me if I question what you don't recognize! 😂

DiMera Mansion: EJ Starts Digging

At the DiMera Mansion, EJ is less than thrilled when Rita finally returns and demands to know where she has been. Rita explains that Tony had her handling some important business in Berlin.

EJ immediately wants to know when Tony will return. Rita suspects he'll be back in time for Lexie's wake, but EJ has bigger concerns. He asks Rita if she discovered who is trying to purchase the Kiriakis estate. She did. Tech billionaire Dominic Marino has made an all-cash offer, and the Kiriakis family isn't entertaining any other bids. EJ finds the situation suspicious. Why would a billionaire with zero ties to Salem suddenly become interested in the Kiriakis property? He orders Rita to keep digging.

But Rita has some good news of her own. She has discovered that “no one is looking into Coriseal's contaminated disposal batch.” EJ is relieved before turning his attention to a much bigger question: What exactly did Father have planned for John and Marlena? And judging by EJ's expression, he intends to find out.

Daddy-Daughter Dance: A Little Bittersweet

Meanwhile, Chad is getting ready for the Daddy-Daughter Dance with Charlotte. He surprises his little girl with one of her mother's favorite flowers and is touched when Charlotte remembers how much her mother loved it. But the sweet moment quickly turns heartbreaking when Charlotte becomes sad because she doesn't remember very much about her deceased mother. Chad reassures her that she has an entire family who will make sure she knows everything about her mother. Then he reminds Charlotte of something even more important: Abby will always be in her heart.

Brady & Rachel Get Ready

Across Salem, Brady is helping Rachel prepare for the dance. Rachel is disappointed that Sarah isn't there to help her get ready because she's with Xander and Victoria. Brady assures her that it's okay to miss Kristen, although Rachel admits that she thinks it's probably best that Kristen is away.

Then a package arrives from Kristen. Inside is a beautiful bracelet. Rachel's emotions get the better of her, and she finally admits to Brady that she really does miss her mother. Brady gives her an out. If she doesn't feel up to the dance, they can stay home, but Rachel refuses. Her mother would want her to go. So Brady and Rachel head out for the dance.

Kiriakis Estate: Xander's Heartbreak Begins

At the Kiriakis estate, Xander watches Victoria put the final touches on her dress. He can't take his eyes off his daughter and tells her, “You look just like your beautiful mother.” Sarah watches as Xander and Victoria share the sweet moment, and the two parents can't help but swoon over their little girl.

Victoria proudly announces that she looks beautiful and wants to go downstairs to show Maggie. As she runs off, reality hits Xander all over again. Victoria is going to be devastated when she no longer lives in this house with all of them.

And Xander is furious. He vows to make “that bastard EJ pay.”

The Daddy-Daughter Dance

The dance is in full swing when Brady and Rachel arrive and join Sarah. Then comes one of the sweetest montages of the night: Brady and Rachel, Chad and Charlotte, and Xander and Victoria. Three fathers dancing with their daughters. Three families experiencing very different versions of happiness.

Charlotte eventually becomes exhausted, and Chad realizes they need to leave. He tells her he must get to the airport, and father and daughter head out. While Xander watches Rachel and Victoria together, Brady turns his attention to Sarah. He brings up what Philip told him that Sarah and Xander nearly kissed in the wine cellar. Brady can see the love Sarah still has for Xander. He also knows that Sarah still has feelings for the family unit they once were.

Brady asks her if she still wants to move in. Then he asks the question that really matters: Does she still love Xander?

Sarah admits that she does care about Xander very much, but Brady isn't letting her dodge the question. He didn't ask whether she cares about Xander. He asks if she is IN LOVE with him.

Sarah finally admits that she and Xander have realized something painful: Love alone isn't enough. She says Xander will always be in her life, then asks Brady if that is a deal breaker. Of course, Brady says “no.”

He explains how happy he and Rachel are about moving into the Kiriakis house and how much he wants their family to have a fresh start. But someone else is listening. Xander. He overheard the entire conversation, and his face says everything. He is heartbroken.

Brady eventually comes over to take Rachel home. Rachel says goodbye to Victoria and happily tells her that once they move in, they're going to be like sisters. After Brady and Rachel leave, Xander tells Sarah she should go home with Brady.

But Sarah isn't ready to leave. She wants to spend their final night together as a family, with Xander and Victoria. Xander quietly tells her that he thinks it's best if she goes. Sarah is visibly hurt and disappointed, but reluctantly, she leaves.

And just like that, Xander is left behind with a broken heart and the sinking realization that the family he desperately wants may be slipping away.

Marlena Remembers

While everyone else is dealing with their own emotional turmoil, Marlena is experiencing something far more mysterious. She suddenly has a flashback, a memory of seeing a Celtic knot before. It was on a blanket.

Marlena stares into the distance, trying to piece together what her subconscious is desperately trying to tell her. Could this be the missing piece to the DiMera chess mystery? And more importantly... why does Marlena remember that symbol?

Rome, Here We Come!

At the airport, Chad and Belle meet up inside the DiMera suite. Belle asks Chad how the Daddy-Daughter Dance went, and he tells her it was great. But now they have another adventure ahead of them.

The two prepare for their flight to Rome, ready to follow the clues wherever they may lead. Belle and Chad are caught up in conversation when suddenly... EJ walks in. Both Belle and Chad are completely surprised by his entrance. EJ doesn't waste much time before revealing that he has decided to accompany them on their trip to Italy.

Belle and Chad exchange a stunned look. This was NOT part of the plan.