Just eight weeks ago, cricketing champion Brett Lee threw his wife Liz Kemp a lavish birthday party held at exclusive Sydney venue Ivy.
It was an intimate affair, with a small group of close friends and family toasting the young mother as she celebrated the special occasion of her 31st birthday with her husband by her side.
Yet behind the champagne tinged smiles and happy chatter, the seemingly picture perfect union between the glamorous couple of Australian cricket was quickly fracturing.
As Lee yesterday confirmed the sad separation, sources close to the pair reported the marriage had been "on the rocks" for at least six months as Kemp struggled to combine life as a young mum with playing the role of dutiful WAG.
"We have been caught by surprise as to how quickly our situation has become public," Lee said in a statement.
"It is with regret that I confirm today's media reports are correct and that Liz and I have decided to separate.
"Given the personal nature of the matter I ask that you please respect our privacy as we attempt to deal with this sensitive situation."
While Lee has pulled out of the Bangladesh series due to the breakdown, those close to the fast bowler are adamant there was no third party involved in the split.
Rather, it's believed the pair, who have a young son Preston, began drifting apart as Kemp - a former podiatrist - became increasingly unhappy with her husband putting his international cricket career ahead of the family.
Lee has been given permission to miss the Australian team's training camp in Brisbane this week and has been instructed to try and mentally regroup ahead of a long summer.
His place in the Australian squad will be taken by uncapped Tasmanian Brett Geeves.