'Days Of Our Lives' Spoilers: Nicole Says An Emotional Goodbye To Salem

She had been hopeful she would get her happily-ever-after ending with the man she loved, but that opportunity was cruelly snatched away from her. Now, knowing she has no other options that will make her happy in Salem, Nicole will bid a tearful farewell to the city she calls home on the Friday, Oct. 20 episode of "Days of Our Lives."

Nicole (Arianne Zucker) had initially thought she was living her happy existence being with Brady (Eric Martsolf) on the NBC soap, living together and raising Holly and Tate. However, after she finally forgave Eric (Greg Vaughan) for Daniel's death, she quickly realized that she actually loved him. The two initially didn't do anything about a romance, and Eric even left town when Brady insisted so he would no longer be a threat to his brother's relationship with Nicole.

However, Nicole finally found Eric again, and the two finally admitted their feelings to one another, making love and promising they would be together. But when Nicole broke the news to Brady, he stunned her by threatening that if she went to be with Eric, he would turn her in for Deimos' (Vincent Irizarry) murder. As a result of his blackmail, Nicole went back to Eric and broke his heart, telling him she couldn't be with him and didn't actually love him like she had claimed.

Now, knowing she can't be with Eric, and knowing she doesn't want to be with Brady, Nicole has decided the only thing she can do is leave Salem behind for good, because staying there is not only too painful without Eric by her side, but it is also too risky, because she doesn't know if she can trust that Brady won't eventually turn on her and reveal the truth to the police about Deimos' murder. Being that she doesn't want to lose custody of Holly again, she can't take the risk, and leaving town is the only solution she can think of.

Of course, leaving town will still be emotional for her, as there will be some people who she will have a hard time saying goodbye to. Though Brady has made it clear he is done with her, and she likely won't receive a warm departing hug from Victor (John Aniston) or Marlena (Deidre Hall), her best friend, Chloe (Nadia Bjorlin), will certainly miss her, and if she heads to the cemetery before leaving, saying goodbye to Daniel will also be incredibly difficult for her.

However, one goodbye she may find to be unexpected will new the one she shares with Sami, (Alison Sweeney), who has returned to town following the news that her son Will (Chandler Massey) may still be alive. The two women will likely share a unique farewell with one another, and it will make for the most interesting sendoff Nicole could have gotten as she packs her bags, walks away, and chooses to leave Salem behind forever.

"Days of Our Lives" airs weekdays on NBC.