A man who was stabbed and had his throat cut by his wife's lover has sobbed while giving evidence in the Victorian Supreme Court.

Chris Soteriou, 45, and his wife Vicky both wept as their eyes met when he took the stand to testify against her.

Vicky Soteriou is accused of plotting to kill her husband with Ari Dimitrakis, who has already pleaded guilty to his part in the crime.

Mr Soteriou sobbed as he recounted the life they shared.

"I thought I had the perfect wife, the perfect marriage, we were very happy," he said.

He was lucky to survive a brutal attack which took place on his birthday in January last year.

Thinking he was going to die he said to his wife "just look after the kids. I love you."

Mr Soteriou sobbed as he told the court that she stood in the street watching him get attacked.

The prosecution alleges the pair wanted to claim Mr Soteriou's million-dollar life insurance policy.

A tearful Mr Soteriou sobbed as he recounted details of luxury cars, clothes and holidays he bought for his wife, who sat with her head bowed in the dock.