“My husband’s success meant everything to him, much more than I did. Money was all that was on his mind, and the rejection was too much to bear. The moment he started his own business was the moment our marriage got worse.

“I still remember the desperation I felt when I came home to find my now ex-husband surrounded by suitcases. “I just don’t love you anymore,” was his reason for leaving me. I was stunned.

A traumatic past growing up, reflected on the woman I became later on in life. I had low self-esteem and insecurities because of the sexual abuse I suffered when I was 12-years- old. My mother and stepfather’s relationship was plagued by physical, emotional and verbal abuse, so I decided to never get married.

Had you known Diane and Peter Passelle before, you may have refused to believe that one day they would be where they are now. Peter was hiding behind a life that was anything but the truth, and Diane had to fight the greatest battle of all – overcoming herself. After that, there was only one…

I was shocked, not to mention hurt and angry. How could he? The surprise of that slap to my face made me question the very day I had said “I do.” Where had our marriage gone wrong? It was the first time my husband laid his hands on me, but it wouldn’t be the last.