MATTHEW CORY and DONNA LOVE

Donna and Matthew first came together as business partners in late 1992. As co-owners of KBAY, the local TV station, they came into contact a lot. When Donna began working undercover as a prostitute in order to expose two-timing politicians for KBAY's talk show, Matthew's concern for her grew. Donna found herself attracted to Matthew, but their main stumbling block was their age difference: Donna is old enough to be Matthew's mother.

It was mainly Matthew's persistence that broke down Donna's defenses when they ended up making love for the first time in late 1993 in a KBAY van during a snowstorm. Their relationship was very physical, and it was the sex that provided the steam for the relationship at the outset.

In 1994, however, Donna and Matthew admitted (to themselves and the world) that they loved each other. Once Matthew had been able to convince Donna that he would love her forever no matter what her age, she consented to marry him.

They remained engaged for almost a year and a half. They kept putting off their wedding mostly because of a crisis with Donna's daughter Vicky Hudson.

Finally, in November 1995, Matthew got fed up and demanded that Donna elope with him. Although she loved Matthew, Donna had always been less than enthusiastic about the idea of marriage. She agreed to the elopement when it looked like she would lose Matthew if she didn't.

That night Donna paid a fateful visit to her ex-husband Michael Hudson to reclaim some cufflinks which had been her wedding present to him. While discussing the subject in the barn, their favorite song began to play over the radio. Both found themselves caught up in the moment and they made love. Later, Donna was happily planning her reunion with Michael when he told her that he didn't have any such intentions. He said that what she ultimately wanted was someone who, aside from being exciting, would be there for her in the cold light of day, and that just wasn't him. Donna was devastated and ran back to Matthew. Michael helped cement their relationship by taking it upon himself to hire a priest to marry them. Matthew was blissfully unaware of Donna's indiscretions, and Donna herself resolved to never breathe a word about it.

A week before Christmas, Matthew's suspicions were confirmed when he discovered the affair. He was absolutely furious that Donna would betray his trust. He told her there was no chance for them any longer and he demanded that their marriage be annulled. Despite how she was willing to let Matthew hang in the wind while she contemplated reuniting with Michael, Donna was heartbroken when Matthew left her and she vowed to win him back.

In between erotic fantasies about him, Donna began to chase after Matthew to try to make him forgive her and take her back. Matthew was becoming involved with Blair Baker and didn't give Donna the time of day. When Matt was questioned by the police about Blair's murder, Donna leapt to his defense, only to find herself under scrutiny. After Donna was cleared of all charges, she had come to realize that there was no chance left between her and Matt. She admitted to him that she realized it was she, and only she, who was to blame. When Donna told him she hoped to always be his friend, there came across Matthew's face a look of loss, and of deep regret. He seemed to realize for that small moment that the wonderful relationship he had had with her was being lost forever.