When it first happened, it was one of Days of Our Lives’ most surprising pairings. Mafioso Stefano DiMera decided he wanted the lovely Kate Roberts to be his wife, but instead of wining and dining her, he blackmailed her into marrying him. Although Kate went into the union kicking and screaming, she and Stefano quickly developed a deep love for each other and emerged into a bona fide supercouple. So when the show's writers decided to have Kate cheat on her husband with Ian, viewers were crying foul, and they weren't the only ones.

According to Lauren Koslow (Kate), she and Joseph Mascolo (Stefano) were upset about the duo's marital distress, too. Read on for Koslow's take on the storyline.
Viewers seem really upset that Kate cheated on Stefano.
If they're really watching, it's not like she wanted to. Kate feels like she's been totally abandoned by Stefano and that he has gone back to this obsession that he had with Marlena. It's devastating to her because he is the last person that she would ever expect that from. Kate truly loves Stefano and also felt that they truly had each other's respect and backs. So for that to happen and with [Marlena] ... It's devastating.

So she just hopped into bed with her ex, Ian?
She did.

Of course, Stefano does have to take some responsibility for this, since he decided to "test" Kate's loyalty. How do you think Kate's going to feel when she ultimately finds out?
Oh! Are you kidding? That is terrible. That makes it worse. I actually am a little relieved, because I was really worried for a while that she just cheated on him, because I don’t think she would do that.

Did you and Joe discuss your characters' potential breakup?
Yes, we did. It was difficult [to play]. I love working with Joe. We have a great time together. We've worked really hard on Stefano and Kate's relationship. So it was kind of devastating, because you feel it, personally, that you’re doing it. I felt badly and he did, too. It's some awful stuff, but some great stuff is coming up. It really is dramatic and painful.

Do State fans have any reason to hope for a reconciliation?
There's always hope. We made sure there's hope in it. Absolutely. Because there's love there. Stefano and Kate really do love each other. I think the audience, even if they're upset with what's happening, are going to be okay with it, because there is love there. What happened is a tragic, tragic mistake.