TORONTO -- A tearful phone message in which lottery multi-millionaire Ray Sobeski allegedly professes undying devotion to his "soulmate" is among evidence expected as his ex-wife goes to court seeking half of the richest individual lottery win in Canadian history.

The battle over the $30-million windfall has intensified before today's hearing, with both sides filing affidavits in recent days exposing a bitter divide on how they view the relationship.

Ionson, a 44-year-old mother of four living on social assistance, shot back almost immediately, filing an affidavit in court that describes a "turbulent but loving relationship" between "soulmates."

Transcripts of phone messages that Ionson says Sobeski left at her home in August 2001 were included in the filing. "This is your husband calling, um, don't forget about him because he loves you and needs you and wants you," Sobeski, 49, is alleged to have said. "I'll always love you ... we're soulmates."

In his affidavit, Sobeski says "when I met Nynna I was a perfect target for someone like her, and she continues to see me that way." When asked at the April 1, 2004 news conference announcing his win whether he had a significant other to share his fortune with, Sobeski said he did not.

The newly minted multimillionaire took Ionson to a Woodstock, Ont., hotel that evening for a night of lovemaking, but never mentioned his good fortune, Ionson claims. One month later, she filed suit.

Ionson and Sobeski married on Dec. 10, 1998 following a four-year relationship, but never lived under the same roof. Sobeski claims they separated in 2002.

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