Days of Our Lives Spoilers: Ari’s Scandalous Love Story with Theo Carver Ignites Gabby’s Fury

Salem has never shied away from scandal, but this time the drama comes from an unexpected corner of town. Ariana Horton is no longer the sweet child audiences once watched grow up—she’s now a young adult, an 18-year-old college student navigating independence, identity, and the messy thrill of first love. But the romance Ari is about to step into won’t just define her—it could fracture her relationship with her fiercely protective mother, Gabi Hernandez, and send shockwaves across Salem.

A Daughter’s First Steps into Independence

As Ari embraces her newfound freedom, she faces the temptation and risk that comes with adulthood. Her past has already proven that love can come with a price. Fans remember her chaotic relationship with Doug Williams III, which spiraled into disaster when his recklessness led to her kidnapping. That harrowing ordeal taught Ari that love can be dangerous—and that her instincts don’t always keep her safe.

Yet Ari has never been one to play it safe. Unlike her peers who flirt with shallow crushes and teenage drama, Ari craves something deeper. She’s drawn to maturity, to people with scars and stories, to the kind of love that challenges her rather than comforts her. That desire is exactly what pulls her toward a man Salem knows all too well: Theo Carver.

Theo Carver Returns to Salem

Theo’s return to Salem is more than just a homecoming—it’s a re-entry into a world that has shaped him through both triumph and heartbreak. His failed romance with Claire Brady left wounds that haven’t fully healed, leaving him more guarded, cautious, and serious. This hardened maturity makes him magnetic in Ari’s eyes.

To Ari, Theo represents everything she wants: a man who understands loss, who carries depth and gravity, who has lived through heartbreak and still stands tall. Their connection isn’t about infatuation—it’s about the pull between her youthful intensity and his quiet, lived-in wisdom.

Behind the scenes, fans have noticed that Tyler Joseph Andrews (Theo) and Marci Reyes (Ari) have already tested onscreen together—a clear sign that producers are preparing viewers for sparks that will be impossible to ignore.

Gabby Hernandez Draws the Line

Of course, Salem doesn’t let love stories unfold without obstacles, and this one comes with a formidable one: Gabi Hernandez. As Ari’s mother, Gabi has spent years shielding her daughter from Salem’s endless dangers—schemers, kidnappers, heartbreakers. She’s not about to stop now.

When Gabi learns that Ari has fallen for Theo, her reaction is as explosive as fans expect. From her perspective, this isn’t romance—it’s recklessness. Ari may be legally an adult, but she’s still a college freshman with her whole future ahead of her. Theo, in contrast, is older, scarred by past relationships, and carrying baggage Gabi doesn’t want near her daughter.

For Gabi, the math doesn’t add up. She fears Ari could lose focus on her education, her future, and everything she has worked so hard to achieve. And Gabi doesn’t keep quiet—she confronts directly, warns openly, and is fully prepared to unleash her fury on Theo if he dares to break Ari’s heart.

A Combustible Triangle

What emerges is a combustible dynamic between mother, daughter, and love interest. Ari is determined to assert her independence, to prove she can make her own choices even if they come with mistakes. Gabi, scarred by her own history of betrayals and heartbreaks, is convinced she sees red flags her daughter is blind to. And Theo? Calm, patient, and diplomatic, he risks becoming both peacemaker and lightning rod.

To Gabi, his composure could look like manipulation. To Ari, his steadiness only makes him more irresistible. The tension becomes more than just a family disagreement—it’s a generational clash about trust, independence, and the painful truth every parent eventually faces: children grow up, and they will write their own love stories whether their parents approve or not.

Salem Weighs In

But in Salem, love is never just private—it’s always public. Word of Ari’s romance with Theo spreads quickly, igniting town gossip and dividing loyalties. Some see Ari’s choice as a rite of passage, proof that she’s no longer a child but a woman in charge of her destiny. Others rally behind Gabi, agreeing that the age gap and Theo’s baggage make this relationship a disaster waiting to happen.

Adding fuel to the fire is Aaron Green, who still harbors feelings for Ari. His jealousy and immaturity could become dangerous as he inserts himself into the drama. Will he sabotage Ari and Theo’s relationship out of heartbreak? Or will he expose secrets that even Ari doesn’t see coming?

The Heart of the Conflict

At its core, Ari’s story isn’t just about romance—it’s about independence and identity. For Ari, love with Theo is about more than attraction—it’s about claiming the right to make her own choices. For Gabi, it’s a test of motherhood. After years of protecting Ari from danger, she now faces the cruel truth: she can’t protect her forever. And the more she fights, the greater the risk she pushes her daughter away permanently.

What Comes Next?

As Salem watches from the sidelines, this storyline promises chaos, passion, and heartbreak in equal measure. The stakes are personal, but the fallout will ripple across families, friendships, and rivalries.

Will Ari and Theo defy the odds and make their love work? Or are they doomed before they begin? And how far will Gabi go to defend her daughter’s future—even if it means tearing their bond apart?

One thing is certain: in Salem, every romance comes at a cost.