Question: why did tom and lynette separate on desperate housewives

title: Lynette Scavo
text: When Tom decides to book a luxurious holiday for the family and announces it Lynette is annoyed and consults Tom about why he did not consult her about it first ( since she already informed him a few weeks ago that she had already planned a trip ) . The two then pitch to the kids what they think is the best holiday which leads to yet another fight between them ; this time however they insult each other . Lynette calls Tom a `` Pompous Ass '' while Tom labels Lynette as a `` Raging Bitch '' leaving them to decide that it is only them who need to spend a holiday together . The holiday turns out badly and the relationship deteriorates and becomes extremely awkward . When they return home Tom leads Lynette to believe that he will be spending a while in an apartment near to his work offices . Before Lynette attends a street dinner party , Penny reveals to her that Tom had left her a note . Lynette is surprised and finds that Tom 's unpacked suitcase from the holiday is not in the bedroom , convincing her that Tom had left her . After revealing to Susan that she thought Tom had left her , Lynette walks into her house , finding Tom , chopping up salad ingredients . He tells Lynette that he had only gone to buy the ingredients . Lynette questions him why it had taken him two hours , leading Tom to reveal that he had left but came back when he considered that Lynette would have to lie about where Tom was to her friends at the dinner party . The two talk for a while and Lynette confesses that when she thought Tom had left , she felt relieved , leading the pair to finally decide to separate . 

Answer: answer: The holiday turns out badly and the relationship deteriorates and becomes extremely awkward.  The two talk for a while and Lynette confesses that when she thought Tom had left, she felt relieved, leading the pair to finally decide to separate.