CHAD DIMERA FINALLY PUTS HIS SON FIRST — BUT WILL IT LAST?

TL;DR: Chad DiMera makes a pivotal choice on Days of Our Lives, stepping back from his romance with Cat Greene after son Thomas confronts him about dating the woman who pretended to be his dead mother. This marks a dramatic shift from his impulsive, destructive relationship with Stephanie Johnson and could finally break the generational DiMera curse of selfishness.

Look, I’ve been watching soaps for YEARS, and I never thought I’d see the day when a DiMera—a DIMERA—would actually put someone else’s needs above their own desires. But here we are, folks. Chad DiMera just did the unthinkable.

And I’m not gonna lie—I’m still processing it.

What Happened Between Chad DiMera and Thomas?

Thomas DiMera confronted his father after learning Chad was dating Cat Greene—and yeah, that’s the same woman who wore his dead mother’s FACE and pretended to be Abigail DiMera as part of Clyde Weston‘s sick scheme. Let that sink in for a minute.

Rachel Black, bless her innocent heart, spilled the beans after witnessing Chad and Cat kissing. She told Thomas his dad was now officially dating “the one who pretended to be Thomas’ dead mom.” Yikes. Just… yikes.

The poor kid has been unusually quiet lately, clearly struggling to process this nightmare scenario. Think about what Thomas has endured: his mother was brutally murdered, a surrogate mother figure (Stephanie Johnson) vanished overnight without saying goodbye, and then a woman showed up wearing his dead mom’s face and tortured the family with false hope.

Now his dad wants to DATE her?

Thomas finally reached his breaking point. He had a fierce outburst—a total meltdown, really—and made what spoilers describe as a “bold request.” Translation? He asked his father to end the relationship with Cat.

And Chad?

He listened.

Why This Time Is Different (And Why It Matters)

Remember the Stephanie Johnson disaster? Because I sure do, and it still makes me cringe.

Chad and Stephanie rushed into a relationship at lightning speed—moving in together, playing happy family, with Stephanie stepping into a maternal role for Thomas and Charlotte. The whole thing was built on quicksand. Chad was still drowning in grief over Abigail, completely emotionally unavailable, while Stephanie wanted commitment and stability.

But here’s the kicker: when things went south (thanks to Chad‘s jealous caveman routine over Stephanie‘s ex, Everett Lynch), Chad made it all about HIM. He literally bought half a newspaper just to get Everett fired. The relationship imploded spectacularly, and Stephanie walked out in a fit of anger, leaving her apartment key with her OTHER ex, Alex Kiriakis, to return to Chad.

The kids? Total afterthought. Thomas and Charlotte lost another maternal figure without explanation or consideration. Stephanie didn’t even say goodbye to them properly—just bailed, leaving these traumatized children to deal with yet another devastating loss.

That was the OLD Chad DiMera. Impulsive. Selfish. Possessive.

This?

This is different.

A Father Finally Puts His Child First

When Thomas confronted Chad about Cat, something shifted. Chad didn’t get defensive. He didn’t prioritize his own feelings. He didn’t make excuses or try to convince Thomas that everything would be okay.

He saw his son’s pain—REALLY saw it—and made a choice.

Spoilers reveal Chad “breaks the hard truth to Cat,” effectively ending (or at least pausing) their romance because Thomas asked him to. He’s choosing to honor his son’s emotional state, willingly accepting short-term heartbreak for himself to provide the long-term stability his family desperately needs.

This is HUGE, people. This is a DiMera absorbing pain instead of inflicting it. This is Stefano DiMera‘s son refusing to follow in his father’s manipulative, selfish footsteps. Stefano used his children as pawns in his schemes, their emotional well-being utterly irrelevant to his grand designs.

Chad is doing the opposite. He’s breaking the cycle.

And honestly? I’m here for it.

Is Chad DiMera’s Growth Real or Just Temporary?

The million-dollar question, right?

Look, I want to believe this represents genuine transformation. The contrast between the Stephanie breakup and this Cat situation is stark. With Stephanie, Chad‘s jealousy and ego drove the chaos, and his kids were collateral damage. With Cat, Thomas‘s pain is the driving force, and Chad is making the selfless choice.

That’s not nothing.

But here’s my concern: Cat Greene isn’t going anywhere. She’s got her own complicated history—her mother Catherina was the woman John Black thought he’d killed years ago. Cat and her brother Mark Greene were forced into Clyde‘s scheme under threat of their mother’s death. She’s a victim in all this too.

Could this mean Chad and Cat‘s story isn’t over, just paused? Don’t be surprised if the writers bring them back together once Thomas has had time to heal. The chemistry between Chad (currently portrayed by Billy Flynn) and Cat (played by AnnaLynne McCord) has been undeniable—even fans have noted the slow-burn intensity of their connection.

Given Chad‘s history, this has all the makings of a long-game romance. The kind where they’re forced apart by circumstances but can’t stay away from each other.

What’s Next for Chad DiMera and His Family?

Here’s where it gets interesting, soap fans.

Billy Flynn, who has brilliantly portrayed Chad since 2014, is departing the show. His final episodes are expected to air in early 2026, with Conner Floyd taking over the role and debuting on April 21, 2026.

This storyline? It’s the PERFECT bridge for that transition.

By ending Flynn‘s tenure with this mature, empathetic arc about fatherhood, the writers are cementing Chad‘s most heroic quality: his devotion to his children. Floyd will inherit a character who’s been tested by unimaginable trauma and emerged with a clear purpose—protecting Thomas and Charlotte.

Could this mean Chad might even leave Salem temporarily to focus on his kids, returning with a new face and a fresh start? Something tells me the writers are setting up a scenario where Chad takes Thomas and Charlotte away from all the drama—maybe even to visit family or seek therapy for Thomas—and when he returns, it’s Conner Floyd stepping into the role of a transformed man.

That would give fans time to adjust to the recast while maintaining the character’s core essence.

As for Cat Greene? My gut tells me she’ll wait. Their connection is too strong, too compelling, to just drop. Once Thomas heals—and given this is a soap, that could take months or even years of story time—don’t be surprised if Chad and Cat find their way back to each other.

But this time, it’ll be different. This time, Chad will approach the relationship as a father first, a DiMera second.

The Bigger Picture: Breaking Generational Curses

You know what’s wild? The DiMera family has been defined by selfishness, manipulation, and emotional cruelty for nearly a century of Salem history. Santo DiMera started it by deceiving Colleen Brady. Stefano DiMera perfected it with his reign of terror and complete disregard for anyone’s well-being but his own.

Chad choosing Thomas‘s healing over his own happiness? That’s not just character growth. That’s a thematic rebellion.

He’s rewriting the DiMera legacy in real-time, creating the possibility that Thomas and Charlotte won’t inherit the same cycle of trauma. They’ll see their father model something revolutionary: empathy, selflessness, and genuine love that prioritizes a child’s emotional needs.

Will it last? Can Chad maintain this growth through whatever drama the writers throw at him next?

I’m cautiously optimistic. But this is Salem, where people come back from the dead and amnesia strikes like the common cold. Nothing is ever simple, and nothing stays resolved for long.

One thing’s certain, though—right now, in this moment, Chad DiMera is being the father Thomas needs. And after everything this family has endured, that’s worth celebrating.

What do YOU think, soap fans? Is this real growth, or will Chad slip back into old patterns? And what about Cat Greene—should she wait for Chad, or move on? Hit me up in the comments with your theories!

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