The morning light crept through the windows of Carrie’s apartment, but the tension inside was thick enough to block it out. Austin stood by the door, his hands shoved deep in his pockets, his jaw tight. Carrie watched him from across the room, her arms wrapped around herself like she was holding in the last bit of warmth she had left. “I’m not here to say I told you so,” Sami said softly, leaning against the frame.
“I just… I can’t stand seeing him like this. ”
Carrie shook her head. “If you’re here to tell me that you told me so, Sami, I really don’t want to hear it. ”
“I’m not,” Sami insisted.
“Austin is my best friend. I just want to see him happy. And he’s still in love with you. ”
Carrie’s eyes flickered toward the door where Austin had disappeared moments ago.
“He doesn’t believe there’s any chance for us. ”
“But there is,” Sami pressed. “You still love him too, don’t you? ”
Carrie didn’t answer.
Across town, the atmosphere was far more controlled, but just as charged. Stefano DiMera stood in his study, hands clasped behind his back, a satisfied smile playing on his lips. Before him, John and Gina stood side by side, their expressions unreadable. “You have done well,” Stefano said, his voice smooth as silk.
“But the final piece is still missing. One last Renet remains. And only the two of you can retrieve it. ”
John glanced at Gina, then back at Stefano.
“And what makes you think we can find it? ”
“Because you are the best operatives I have ever had,” Stefano replied. “Once you retrieve the Renet, you will rendezvous with me, and the plan will be complete. ”
Rolf stepped forward, his thin fingers fidgeting with a small device.
“But Stefano, are you certain about the procedure? Returning John to the man he was… it is risky. ”
Stefano waved a hand dismissively. “Risk is simply the price of greatness, Rolf.
John’s memories are fragmented, but once the chip is demagnetized, he will be whole again. He will remember everything. And that is exactly what I need. ”
Rolf’s eyes narrowed.
“And if he remembers too much? If he remembers you, Stefano? What then? ”
Stefano’s smile widened.
“Then we will deal with that when the time comes. ”
John’s jaw tightened. “I don’t like being kept in the dark. ”
“You don’t need to like it, John,” Stefano said coolly.
“You only need to follow orders. ”
Down the hall, Marlena stood in the doorway of her room, her heart pounding. She had overheard fragments of the conversation—enough to know that something dangerous was being planned. John appeared in the doorway, his eyes softening when he saw her.
“Marlena,” he said quietly. “There’s something I want us to do. ”
“What is it? ” she asked, her voice trembling.
“I want us to write our vows,” he said, stepping closer. “I want us to express what we mean to each other. Before everything happens. ”
Marlena searched his face.
“Why now, John? Why not wait until this is over? ”
“Because I don’t know what’s going to happen,” he admitted. “But I know how I feel about you.
And I want you to know it. All of it. ”
Marlena’s eyes filled with tears. “I want that too.
”
He reached for her hand. “You know what I want to say first? ”
“What? ”
He leaned in close.
“That you’re the only thing that makes sense in this world I’ve been thrown back into. ”
She whispered, “The very first thing I want you to know…” She stopped, shaking her head. “Never mind. I’ll tell you tomorrow.
”
John frowned. “Why not now? ”
“Because I want tomorrow to be special,” she said softly. “I want to have something to look forward to.
”
He nodded slowly, a small smile tugging at his lips. “You know what else I saw coming? ”
“No, what? ”
“You, standing there, still loving me after everything I put you through.
”
She laughed, a small, choked sound. “Not long enough,” she murmured. “It’s never long enough with you. ”
Meanwhile, in another corner of the mansion, Mike stood in the hallway, waiting for Austin to emerge from the study.
When Austin finally stepped out, his face was pale, his eyes red-rimmed. Mike stepped forward. “Austin, Carrie’s not here. But I’m wondering if I could have a word with you.
”
Austin’s eyes narrowed. “I don’t think how I choose to do things is any of your business. ”
“Maybe not,” Mike said quietly. “But I care about Carrie.
And I care about you. And I don’t want to see either of you make a mistake you’ll regret. ”
Austin’s jaw tightened. “You’ve made your choice, Mike.
You’re the one she chose. ”
“I’m not trying to rub it in,” Mike said. “I’m trying to help. ”
Austin looked away.
“There’s nothing to help. It’s over. ”
Inside the study, Stefano turned to Rolf once more. “One more time, Rolf.
Run the procedure. ”
“You have to render John unconscious,” Rolf said reluctantly. “Then use the device to demagnetize the chip in his brain. ”
“Once that is done,” Stefano continued, “he will remember everything.
His past with the ISA. His past with me. His past with Marlena. ”
“And then what?
” Rolf asked. Stefano’s eyes glinted. “Then he will lead us to the last Renet. And once we have it, the world will be ours.
”
Rolf shifted nervously. “And if he remembers too much? ”
Stefano’s smile curdled. “Then we will have a problem, won’t we?
”
Outside, Lili stood under the soft glow of a streetlamp, holding an old photograph in her trembling hands. Bo approached her, his expression serious. “Lili, I need to know if you’ve seen this before. ”
She stared at the image, her brow furrowed.
“I brought my books from Lugano, but I’ve never seen this photograph before. ”
“Are you sure? ” Bo pressed. “I’m certain,” she said.
“Instead of answers, I get more mysteries and questions. ”
Bo’s shoulders slumped. “Lili, I’m afraid we may never learn the truth. ”
She looked up at him, her eyes glistening.
“Maybe some truths are better left buried, Bo. ”
“Not this one,” he said firmly. “Not when my daughter’s life depends on it. ”
Back at the mansion, Marlena’s voice drifted through the halls, sharp and defiant.
“I don’t care what Stefano wants, John. I’m not letting him control you again. DiMera has been obsessed with you for years, but he never controlled you. And even though he controlled me, I’m not in his grip any longer.
”
John’s eyes met hers, filled with a mixture of love and fear. “Marlena, you don’t understand what’s at stake. ”
“I understand more than you think,” she said. “No more questions.
No more arguments. I’m going to stand by you, no matter what. ”
He took her hands in his. “You know you’re the only one who ever believed in me.
”
She smiled through her tears. “And I always will. ”
But in the shadows of the corridor, Sami watched them, a bitter smile twisting her lips. She turned to Carrie, who had just appeared in the hallway.
“You know,” Sami said, “you’re not so different from Marlena. Picking the man everyone tells you to stay away from. ”
Carrie stiffened. “That’s not fair, Sami.
”
“Isn’t it? ” Sami crossed her arms. “You’ve never forgiven me for exposing your lie about Will’s paternity. For marrying Austin the same day you were supposed to.
But look at you now—running back to him the moment he snaps his fingers. ”
Carrie’s voice turned cold. “You don’t know anything about what Austin and I have. ”
“I know he’s still in love with you,” Sami shot back.
“And I know you’re still in love with him. So why are you letting him walk away? ”
Carrie was silent. Sami sighed, her posture softening.
“Look, I still love Austin too. But it’s not about being with him. He’s my best friend, and I can’t stand to see him hurting. If you still love him, don’t let pride destroy what you both want.
”
Carrie’s eyes glistened. “He told me he doesn’t believe there’s any chance for us. ”
Sami stepped closer. “Then make him believe.
”
Carrie looked at her, stunned. “Why are you helping me? ”
Sami smiled—a small, human smile. “Because I’m tired of this.
I’m tired of losing the people I love. And so are you. ”
Carrie’s lip trembled. She looked toward the door.
Austin stood there, having heard everything. He took a step forward, his voice barely above a whisper. “Carrie…”
She closed the distance between them, her heart pounding. “I thought you said it was over,” she breathed.
“I lied,” he said. “I’ve been lying to myself. ”
He reached for her hand, and she let him take it. “I don’t know what the future holds,” he said.
“But I know I don’t want to face it without you. ”
She pressed her forehead against his. “Then don’t.
”
Somewhere in the mansion, Stefano’s laughter echoed through the halls, dark and triumphant.
