Beaten, Broken But Not Out

British English language and spelling. In some stories the processes or facts may be incorrect, it's only a story and in my world that's how it happened. A warning to those who steal stories to use on YouTube channels, I am watching and will hit you with a copyright claim. This story is a repost from when I was on here under a different username.

Beaten, Broken, But Not Out.

Tom Meadows sat sipping his morning coffee, his thoughts were on the state of his marriage.

"Morning Dad," his son Ryan said as he walked into the kitchen.

"Morning son. Good night out, last night."

"Yeah not bad, I've had better."

"It can't have been that bad, I went to bed at midnight and you were still out."

"Is Mum in bed?" Ryan asked.

"Your mother went out last night with friends from work. She didn't come home."

"Yeah, about that Dad. I saw Mum last night. She was with a friend, some bloke, they looked quite close. If you get my meaning?"

"Yeah I get it. The guy was probably Gary Sanders, your Mum's boyfriend."

"Boyfriend! You know that Mum has a boyfriend?"

"I have known for about two months Ryan. Before you ask, I am sorting things out."

Just then Tom's daughter Faye, arrived home. "Well look at you two cheerful buggers. What's wrong?"

"Your brother has just found out your mother has a boyfriend. Before you start Faye, yes I do know and I am sorting it out."

"What are you going to do Dad?"

"Divorce her. Sorry but she hasn't left me much choice. From what I know she has been seeing the guy for about three months, all I need is cast iron proof before I file for a divorce."

"What cast iron proof Dad?" Faye asked. "Surely you can divorce Mum for unreasonable behaviour?"

"I could, but I don't want to. I want to state adultery as the reason. I want to make it known it is her fault, she is not making me out to be the bad guy in all of this."

"I can't believe this. What the hell has driven Mum to have an affair?" Ryan asked.

"That's a good question son. Sadly, it's one I don't have an answer to, I'm afraid. All I know is your mother started treating me like shit about three months ago, that was when I suspected there was something wrong. Your mother was very clever to start with, she hid it well. Now it seems she isn't bothered if I find out or not," Tom explained to his children.

"If you get a divorce does that mean we have to stay with Mum when you move out?" Ryan asked with a worried look on his face.

"If anyone is moving out, it's your mother. This house is mine and I am staying here. Now I want you two to do me a favour? When your mother gets home, say nothing, carry on as normal."

"Why Dad? Faye asked. "Why not confront her today?"

"Because I haven't seen a solicitor yet. I have an appointment tomorrow morning. If I have to employ a private investigator to get the proof I require, I will. The trouble is I am not sure if I can afford one." Tom replied.

Both of the children nodded and went to their rooms. Tom's wife Lynn finally arrived home just before midday, she entered the house and went straight to the bedroom. After taking a shower she dressed in jeans and a t-shirt. Without talking to Tom, Lynn went to the kitchen and started to prepare dinner. Tom sat and wondered how Lynn could just walk in and carry on as if nothing had happened.

Dinner was unusually quiet, given the children now knew about their mother's affair. Tom spoke with his children, he included Lynn if she was brought into the conversation. Tom spent the evening in his home office, avoiding his wife. Lynn preferred it that way, she wasn't in the mood to answer any questions. Lynn spent the evening in front of the television. She wasn't watching it with interest, most of her time was spent texting her lover.

Tom took an early lunch break on Monday to go and see a solicitor. The solicitor was a ten-minute walk from where Tom worked. The solicitor explained that as both children were over eighteen there would be no child support. Lynn earned almost as much as Tom so it was likely that he wouldn't get hit with spousal support. The house was Tom's, which left their financial assets to be split. Since Tom had discovered Lynn's affair, he had taken steps to move and hide money. Lynn was likely to get something from the settlement. It would be a lot less than she was probably expecting. Tom's problem was he needed proof of the affair, despite Lynn's behaviour it wasn't enough.

Tom left the solicitor's office wondering how much a private investigator costs. If he needed proof, that was the only way he could see of getting it. Tom waited for the signal and started to cross the road, suddenly everything went black.

Tom woke in a room, unsure of where he was. A nurse informed the doctor that he was awake.

"Take it easy Mr Meadows. You are in the hospital. The doctor informed Tom that his left leg was broken, additionally he had several cracked ribs. As Tom had crossed the road a cyclist jumped the red light and collided with Tom. Witnesses said Tom hit his head and blacked out.

Your children are outside Mr Meadows, they can come in and see you for a few minutes. Faye had clearly been crying, Ryan was doing his best to reassure his sister.

"Hey Dad." Ryan said as he walked into the room. "Anything to get off work," he smiled.

Tom explained what had happened, as best as he could. He asked the kids where their mother was?

"At work Dad. I called her and she said she couldn't get away as it was busy." Faye replied, clearly upset. "Dad, you need to deal with Mum as soon as you can."

Tom nodded his head. "I know and I will as soon as I get out of here. Ryan, I need you to do me a favour. Can you bring the bed downstairs from the spare room? Put it in the dining room, move the table out of the way if you need to." Ryan nodded saying it would be done later today.

That evening Ryan and Faye argued with Lynn about her not being at the hospital. Lynn made excuse after excuse for her absence. The real truth was she took an extended lunch and spent the time with her lover in a hotel room. Tom was discharged from the hospital the following day. His children took time off work to be there. It didn't surprise Tom that Lynn was nowhere to be seen. Faye and Ryan took turns staying at home with Tom. Lynn continued to go to work, as well as go out most evenings after work.

Tom explained that he had spoken to a solicitor, if he wanted to list adultery as the reason he needed proof, either photos or video of Lynn with her lover.

Without telling his father, Ryan decided to play detective. Borrowing a car from a friend he followed his mother when she left work, for several days he carefully listed dates and times of where Lynn went and more importantly, who she was with. Faye knew what her brother was doing.

One evening Lynn came home, got changed and went out again. Ryan followed her to a house several miles away, she had made this journey frequently. He watched as Lynn entered the house, he was surprised that his mother had a key to the door. Creeping towards the house, Ryan hoped nobody had seen him. The last thing he needed was to explain to the police why he was there. When Ryan looked through the patio doors at the rear of the house, he saw his mother and her lover having sex on the sofa. Disgusted, Ryan took several pictures and a short video before leaving as quietly as he arrived.

When Lynn arrived home Tom was watching the television, the children were both in bed as they had work the following day. Lynn made a few snide comments about Tom's condition. Tom ignored the jibes.

"Nothing to say then?" Lynn taunted him.

"Piss off Lynn! Why don't you just move in with your lover and leave us alone," That surprised Lynn as Tom wasn't normally so direct.

"I don't want to. I'm happy with the way things are right now. I have a husband who caters to me and a real man to satisfy me. Why would I want to move out?" Lynn stared at Tom, he could see the hatred in her eyes.

"What happened to you Lynn? We had a good marriage until you fucked it up."

"What happened was I got tired of our boring marriage. You, the kids, all of this was just boring. I wanted some fun in my life. You wouldn't agree to my request, you were happy as things were, and now I am happy. All you have to do is accept things as they are, I have no idea how long it will last between Gary and me. Just live with it Tom."

"Fuck you Lynn. Things are going to change around here very soon, and you will not like the changes." Tom replied as he looked away from the woman who now disgusted him.

"Don't rock the boat Tom. Just accept that I have a real man to satisfy me. I swear if you file for a divorce or do anything stupid I will make you suffer." Lynn turned and went upstairs.

The following day Ryan told his father that he had proof of his mother's affair. Tom was worried that Ryan had risked a lot to get the photos.

"Dad, you needed proof. I got it for you," Ryan explained.

"I know Ryan. I am glad you got what I needed, I'm not happy that you took a risk to do it. What if Gary Sanders had got hold of you? That guy is big enough to tear you apart with his bare hands, son."

"He didn't get me, he was too busy at the time." Ryan passed his father the envelope containing the photos. "Give these to your solicitor Dad, end this farce now." Ryan begged.

Tom called the solicitor and explained that he had the proof he needed, he informed the man that Ryan would drop the pictures off later that day.

With the proof he needed Tom told his solicitor to go ahead and file the papers, he gave the address of the company where Lynn worked. Lynn was served on Friday afternoon. When she opened the envelope she exploded with rage, Gary Sanders was named on the petition for divorce.

Tom was at home alone when Lynn let herself into the house. "You bastard! I told you not to rock the boat." Lynn screamed as Sanders stood by her side smiling at Tom

"You need to leave my house Sanders, you are not welcome here," Tom stood up using his crutches for support. Sanders stood and laughed at Tom.

"Fuck you, you wimp. Lynn invited me here and I am staying."

"Okay, if you won't leave when I ask, maybe you will leave when the police ask you to go." Tom reached for the phone. Sanders stepped forward and started punching Tom, due to his injuries Tom wasn't able to fight back. The best Tom could do was raise his arms to protect his head from the punches.

Gary Sanders threw punches at Tom, Lynn stood there laughing as she encouraged her lover to hit Tom again. When a punch connected with Tom's ribs and his arms dropped away from his head, the next punch knocked Tom out cold.

Faye arrived home to find Tom unconscious on the floor, there was nobody else in the house. Faye explained what she knew to the police officer as the paramedics attended to her father. Tom mumbled that Gary Sanders attacked him.

Ryan arrived home and ran indoors when he saw the ambulance outside the house. "What happened?" Ryan asked Faye.

"According to Dad, Gary Sanders was here with Mum. When he asked them to leave, Sanders attacked Dad. I found him unconscious when I got home.

"I will need to speak with your father when he has been checked over at the hospital," the police officer explained to Faye and Ryan. "We will interview Mr Sanders, sadly if he denies it there is nothing we can do without any solid evidence. It will be your father's word against that of Gary Sanders. Ryan asked to be excused for a few minutes. When he returned he was smiling.

"Take this, it has all you need." Ryan handed the officer a USB drive. "I installed some small cameras around the house to catch Mum and Sanders if they ever came here for sex, the one in the lounge shows what happened earlier. The officer smiled and thanked Ryan.

Ryan followed the ambulance to the hospital. He explained to Faye what he had seen on the video. "Sanders attacked Dad when he asked him to leave, Mum stood there egging him on. When Dad was unconscious Sanders kicked him several times, Mum stamped on his plaster cast as well."

"You mean Mum attacked Dad as well?" Faye asked, almost unable to believe what Ryan had just told her.

The doctor informed Faye that Tom had sustained a further break to his leg, along with cuts and bruises. Tom was kept in hospital for a few days.

Lynn Meadows and Gary Sanders were arrested, they were interviewed and charged. Both of them faced charges of assault pertaining actual bodily harm. Tom had contacted his solicitor and a restraining order was issued. Lynn and Gary Sanders were released on bail. The restraining order kept them 500 feet away from Tom, the house or Tom's place of work.

Ryan and Faye packed all of their mother's belongings and delivered them to their grandparent's house. Lynn tried speaking to Faye, but she chose to ignore her mother. Ryan unloaded the boxes as fast as he could, he just wanted to get away from his mother.

Ryan assured his grandparents he would visit when Lynn wasn't there.

When their employer found out what had happened, Lynn and Gary were both fired. Their boss soon worked out the lies about client meetings, he now knew they were together in a hotel. Things went downhill from there for Lynn and Gary. In court the judge sentenced them each to three years in prison, his recommendation was they serve two years before being eligible for release. Tom figured he must have got a sympathetic judge. The divorce went through while Lynn was serving her sentence, all Lynn got was thirty percent of their savings.

Tom slowly recovered from his injuries, he eventually returned to work. A year after his divorce was final Tom started dating Kathy, a woman he met at his daughter's wedding. Faye got engaged two months after her mother was sentenced and married five months later.

Two Years Later

Tom was sitting in the kitchen talking to Ryan and Kathy when the doorbell rang, he opened the door to see Lynn standing there.

"What the fuck do you want?" Tom asked bitterly.

"I want to see my children," Lynn replied.

"I'll get them to contact you at your parent's house, if they are interested in seeing you."

"Can I not see them now?'' Lynn asked.

"No, Ryan is out, and Faye doesn't live here anymore since she got married."

"Faye got married?" Lynn asked, surprised.

"Yes. We didn't invite you as we knew you wouldn't be able to attend. Now please leave." Tom closed the door and returned to the kitchen.

Ryan called his mother two days later, he said he wasn't interested in speaking with her right now, maybe in the future. Lynn got the same response from her daughter Faye.

Faye's statement hurt Lynn more as she revealed she was pregnant, and unless Lynn respected their wishes would never see her grandchild.

Two months after Lynn had visited Tom answered a knock on the door, he opened it to find Lynn's sister Sue standing there.

"May I come in Tom?" she asked.

"Tom allowed Sue into the house. They had remained in touch after the divorce.

"I thought you might like to know that Lynn has moved away. I took her to the prison to meet Gary Sanders the day he was released. When Gary stepped through the gate he looked at Lynn and shook his head, they argued for a while and he walked off. Basically he told Lynn she was good pussy but nothing else. Lynn screamed at him that she had given up everything for him.

I think Lynn had ideas of them being together, Gary left her standing alone crying. For what it's worth, I think Lynn got what she deserved, especially after the way she treated you Tom."

Tom smiled knowing that Lynn had lost everything. "Thanks for letting me know Sue. Personally I hope I never see either of them again." Tom showed Sue out. Tom walked back to the kitchen, he smiled as he hugged Kathy. Minutes later the doorbell rang again, Tom stomped to the door and yanked it open. Expecting to see Lynn, his face was like thunder.

Tom's expression changed when he saw a very pregnant Faye and her husband Jack.

"Come in, you two." Tom gestured. Kathy smiled and gave Faye and Jack a hug.

Tom recalled the conversation with Sue. Faye was pleased that her mother had moved, she was still a long way from forgiving Lynn. Ryan arrived home as they talked, he had been to see his mother.

"How is she?" Faye asked, bitterly.

"Not good. She knows she screwed things up, that's why she's moving away. What she did has cost her a lot. Her friends are avoiding her, Saunders is nowhere to be found. It didn't help when I told Mum it was all her own fault, Grandma and Grandpa are still pissed off with her. She said she would let me have her address when she gets settled, I told her I would pass it on to Faye. It's your choice if you contact her or not, she won't push in case you stop her seeing her grandchild when it's born."

Faye winced. "I'm sure it's a boy, the kid has a kick like a footballer."

"Fine by me, just make sure he supports the same team as his uncle Ryan." Ryan laughed and excused himself to get changed. Tom and Kathy sat laughing. Tom thought of how his life had changed so much. At first he was upset about Lynn's affair, the longer it went on, the more his feelings for her changed.

Kathy had been a ray of sunshine when she entered Tom's life, she was everything Lynn wasn't. Faye was pleased that her father had found someone else, she knew Tom would never forgive Lynn.

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