Now that Martha Byrne is officially leaving As the World Turns, the actress has a response to the show's side of her departure, which went as follows:

"We have made Martha an incredibly generous offer in hopes that she would remain a valuable member of the As the World Turns cast."

Byrne doesn't see it the same way. She recently told Soap Opera Digest:

"Last year, understanding the impending fiscal constraints the show faced, I willingly signed a one-year contract with a substantial pay reduction. With six weeks remaining on that contract, the show began negotiations on a new one. I made it known I was willing to sign a multi-year contract and was committed to stay with the show...

"I then learned the show, that same afternoon, put out a breakdown for my immediate replacement. That was the end of any further negotiations for me. Unfortunately, what I thought to be a reasonable and workable request, the show determined [to be] unworkable."