She already was the recipient of some flowers which suggested Stefano had been in town and thinking of her, and she even found his ring in Kate’s room at the pub, but the most surprising evidence that Stefano is still alive may be the most shocking of all for Marlena on the Thursday, Dec. 26 episode of “Days of Our Lives.”

While attending the hospital holiday party where Stefano (Stephen Nicholls) was disguised as Santa instead of Roman, Marlena (Deidre Hall) walked out with a surprise gift from him in her purse. Now, after returning home, she may stumble across the item he slipped in there, and if it is something that can be tied to him, it may be the biggest indicator yet that he is not only still alive, but back in Salem and intent on getting her as well on the NBC soap.

“Marlena finds a mysterious gift in her purse,” spoilers reveal.

Of course, if the gift is something extravagant but not easily tied to Stefano, she may think it is from John (Drake Hogestyn)--until her husband likely reveals he isn’t the one who put the token in her purse.

However, they aren’t the only ones who will be suspecting something mysterious is going on either, since the hunt for Stefano has been one that’s been ongoing for a long time—and even his disguise at the hospital won’t keep inquiring minds away. Of course, in that case, it will be the person he has taken on the look of that raises suspicion.

While she later went on to be with Justin (Wally Kurth), Kayla (Mary Beth Evans) has admitted that a part of her is still confused by Steve’s (also Nicholls) sudden decision to divorce her a year prior, and while she is happy, she still wants answers. After realizing Roman (Josh Charles) wasn’t the one posing as Santa at the hospital, she followed the mystery person, believing it was Steve. Now, as she follows him, Stefano’s cover will risk being exposed to the last person who should know what’s going on, since he is posing in a disguise that makes him look like her ex.

“Days of Our Lives” airs weekdays on NBC.

Days of Our Lives
Marlena (Deidre Hall) finds a mysterious gift in her purse on the Dec. 26, 2019 episode of “Days of Our Lives.” XJ Johnson/JPI Studios for NBC