Double or Nothing

[Double or Nothing]

Authors Note

Hi everyone, I have been taking my time following my first story. I like long stories, so here is a multi-part story series I am working on. I have three stories in the works, so it takes a little time to draft, find and work with editors for review and edit.

Also, a warning, some chapters will get a little weird as I have not seen the LW theme taken quite in the direction I want to through this story, but that comes later. This first part sets the scene and follows a lot more of the traditional LW format.

I hope that you enjoy ‘Double or Nothing Part I.

Prologue

It was one of those Saturday afternoons that you never want to end. Spring was giving way to summer, and the afternoon had been warm but not hot. I had spent most of the morning in the yard, mowing the grass, trimming hedges, working in the garden beds surrounding the house. The result was something that my family and I were always proud of. So now, as the afternoon was moving towards evening and the heat of the day had long passed. I was enjoying some time on the back deck with my brother-in-law. Paul and I were enjoying a couple of drinks while cooking some steaks, chicken, sausages, along with some onions and halloumi for the ravenous hordes inside. In the kitchen, the ladies were preparing salads, sides and bread for our lazy evening feast. I could hear Melody getting the table set while Kim was in the kitchen with Harmony.

My in-laws William and Martha were pottering, helping to get the kids washed up and into their seats for dinner. I heard the rumbling of a car coming up the drive, and I listened to the faint sound of the doorbell followed by a knock at the door. A few minutes later, my father John came out the back having deposited a couple of apple pies and a large tub of ice cream for dessert in the kitchen.

He slapped me on the back, “How are you boys?” he asked in passing, opened the fridge on the back deck and grabbed a drink.

“Great, dad, hey did I hear you come up in the new car?”

“Yeah, sounds great, doesn’t it!” Dad had recently retired and decided to spoil himself with a brand new v8 mustang convertible. But, unfortunately, my mum had passed away a few years ago, so it was just him, and being he had worked hard all his life and deserved to have a bit of fun.

“It sure does John; you’re going to have to take me for a spin soon!” Paul had a glazed look, thinking of how he would love a mustang, but it was a pipe dream with three kids even if he could get Kim to say yes to a sports car.

We chatted a little more around dad’s new car and finished cooking the meat. We placed everything into a couple of alfoil covered trays, each of us carried everything back inside for the feast to begin. Apparently, I had missed the doorbell a second time as we had another two visitors that were certainly not on the invite list.

Walking into the room, the range of reactions and emotions in the room was mixed. The kids were excited, it was dinner time, and they could smell cooked sausages. Melody and Harmony were perplexed; they may have had a vague idea about our guests. However, they had never directly met them before. Paul and Kim were angry, and Dad was suddenly upset. And me, well, I think I had pretty much a range of emotions from surprise, disappointment, anger, fear, and most of all shock. So much so that I dropped the tray of meat I was carrying.

The metal plate hitting the floor brought everyone out from their internal thoughts as they all looked at me.

“um, hi Terry.” Carol, my ex-wife, said looking at me. She was tired and worn, and over the last few years, she had put on weight in all the wrong places. Her once voluptuous but good looking curves were now well and truly under layers of not so good looking fat. While I was still quite fit and trim. Most likely even more so since we saw each other last if those hungry eyes were saying anything as she looked at me. I’m sure turning up here uninvited; she had no idea what type of reception she would receive for any of us, but she had to know it would not be a happy reunion.

Our second visitor looked at me as well, ‘Hi Daddy,” Mackenzie, my ex-daughter, followed up before I could respond. Her head slightly bowed, she looked at me from under a worn baseball cap, one that I had given her when she turned thirteen. Mackenzie looked nothing like the girl who had betrayed and thrown me aside years ago. If anything, she looks broken like her mother and just plain frail.

For what felt like almost a minute, we all just stared at each other. The only noise was the kids at the table. But even they picked up something wrong and started to notice the two intruders stopping them from getting dinner.

I sighed and bent to pick up the try of meat I had dropped, turned around and placed it on the table. I looked and signalled at Martha, who knew exactly who they were and was glaring at them. “Martha, could you get the kids some food. I think this may take a few minutes.” She stopped glaring at Carol and Mackenzie. Her gaze softened as she looked at me. Martha knew my pain almost more than anyone in the room. She had been there for me during most of what had transpired over the years. And she would have had a fair idea of what I might be feeling at that moment. My mother-in-law was one of the wisest women I knew, and to cross her family would earn you the ire of not just Martha but her network of friends and community groups. I had a feeling that Carol and Mackenzie had been on the wrong end of her temper a few times now without my direct knowledge.

Her entire vibe changed to making sure all the kids would get feed in, my former family pushed out of her mind for the moment. “No problems, Terry sweetie, you do what you need to. I’ve got the kids.”

I turned back to my ex-family and let my face fall into a scowl. “For the sake of the children that are here, I am not going to say what I want to say right now. However, you need to know that neither of you is welcome here!” I had a hard time keeping my voice calm, and as it was, I almost spat the words. Carol looked upset, but like she expected that kind of reaction, Mackenzie looked like she was about to cry.

Kim had, at this point had come to stand beside me. Melody and Harmony moved to stand on my other side, Melody grabbing my hand, letting me know she was there for me. She now knew these intruders, like her sister Harmony, had a great idea of what I was likely feeling.

Carol gave a big sigh and looked at everyone in the room before once again letting her gaze set itself upon me. There was a time many years ago when I would adore those eyes and just love to look back into them. Now all I saw was a mask of pain, regret and sorrow, which surprised me. “We know Terry, but we need to talk with you”.

Shit!

Chapter 1 — Betrayed

Growing up, if I wasn’t at school or hanging out with friends, I was on the job site with my dad, earning a bit of pocket money. I was always helping out with digging trenches or bringing pipe. At school, I worked hard but wasn’t an academic, my report cards were good, but I was never going to be a grade-A student. However, I was good with my hands, and it showed in shop class. Dad was a plumber working the residential market primarily, supporting a few builders and doing the occasional commercial plumbing gig. The markets were good where we lived in Maitland; usually, dad had lots of work keeping him busy on site. He had one apprentice, and then when I was available, myself. I was pretty sure that I was going to become a plumber too. I had the build and could pick up on things quickly once dad showed me them once.

I met Carol in junior high, we hit it off and started dating the following year. I thought there was a good spark between us. We laughed at the same jokes, mostly enjoyed that same music and had similar interests in movies. She was a slim blonde with dirty blonde hair, brown eyes, good b cup tits, along with a round ass that was certainly squeezable. Most people would describe her as the girl next door. Not a model, but she could turn a head or two when she wanted. My name is Terry Other. I am tall with a solid build, thanks to working with my dad. I’ve got shortcut brown hair, brown eyes, and broad shoulders from a combination of genetics and a lot of work with dad on the job site.

To make a long story short, towards the end of high school, Carol and I gave each other our virginities, I’d love to say it was mind-blowing, but we were both awkward and in-experienced. Still, we managed and did a lot of fucking after that when we got the chance. The trouble came, though, when Carol missed her period finding out she was pregnant. There were a few tears and some upset parents on both sides, but we ended up engaged when we had both graduated high school. Not long after we were married, Mackenzie was born. While I loved Carol, Mackenzie was my pride and joy. If I wasn’t working, I was spending time with Mackenzie. I was there when she started to walk. Her first words were Dad, and growing up, she enjoyed hanging out with me on the job site just like I did with my dad. Carol wasn’t always a fan, but she also didn’t mind as it gave her time to head out with her friends without a child in tow.

When it came to Carol and me, it wasn’t always an easy relationship. We did many things together, I loved her, but we also had to work at it. I suppose that is just like a lot of couples out there. After Mackenzie was born, sometimes I felt it was like I was in Carol’s way. There was never anything overtly said. However, by the time Mackenzie was three years old, I felt like Carol was looking down her nose at my being a plumber. We were friendly, and I would have said loving. We had a fairly active sex life having the usual ups and downs of some months we fucked every day, and sometimes when life got in the way, it could be a couple of weeks between bouts.

All in all, I had thought we were a good couple until I came home one day after a big day at work. It was fifteen years later. I was now a master plumber, certified in multiple plumbing sectors and a range of products, and like my father, I had a few different builders that I worked with. I had gone into a little more of the commercial subcontracting than dad had and was doing alright. As a family, we were reasonably well off, and neither Carol nor Mac went without. School requirements or shopping trips they got what they needed and most of the time what they wanted.

On that fateful day, I got home and parked my truck in the drive of our modest three-bedroom house. Carol’s car wasn’t there, so I guessed she wasn’t home yet. I kicked off my dirty shoes and headed into a somewhat empty house. Furniture, pictures and appliances were missing. At first, I thought we might have been robbed, but it was too orderly, nothing was broken, and things like the TV and my work laptop were still there. I tried to call Carol. It went to voicemail.

“Carol, I’ve just gotten home, and there appears to be lots of stuff missing; call me when you….” As I walked into the kitchen, I could see the table was still there; however, in the middle of the table was a stack of paperwork and a letter on top. I knew then, so I hung up mid message, my stomach suddenly being filled with bile. The letter on top of the papers was addressed ‘Terry’, and it felt like it looked back at me, like a coiled serpent ready to strike me. With neither of my girls home, lots of furniture missing and the ominous documents, I knew I was about to have a bad night.

I pulled out a kitchen chair and opened the fated letter. I knew that I could avoid it, but sooner or later, I’d have to read it, so you need to get it out the way like pulling off a band-aid. Carol wrote:

“Terry,

By the time you read this, both Makenzie and I will have moved out of the house. I would like to say that I am a strong woman to face you, but the truth is I don’t want to see the look of betrayal that you likely have on your face right about now. I didn’t want to have the ‘we need to talk’ discussion, so instead, I have taken this route.

There is no great way to say this, but I have fallen in love with another man who is much better than you ever were, and both Makenzie and I have moved in with him today. You’re going to have some questions, so I will give you some of the things you need to know so you will not try and pursue Mackenzie or me. Your first question will be who. Well, he is Mackenzie’s doctor, and I chose him because he can provide for us like you would never be able to as a plumber. Your following questions will be how long, Well I have been seeing Stephen for a year and a half. It was hard to hide it from you, and both Mackenzie and I often thought you would notice, but you never did. I would say that I am sorry; however, I’m not really, and nothing I say would do anything to push aside what I am sure you are feeling right now. Lastly, you will want to know why. Well, that is a complicated question. But it boils down to your chosen profession. You’re a plumber, and he’s a doctor. He can provide the nicer things in life, whereas you will always be working in the dirt. You have been a loving father, a good husband, and you are good in bed. As I write this, I feel somewhat remorseful telling you. However, for Makenzie and me, you being a plumber is not enough.

I’m sure that there are many questions, but that’s all you’re getting from me. As far as divorce goes, there are a few things you need to know. Firstly, I have taken all the furniture I want. Everything else is yours. Makenzie has her room as she will not be coming to stay with you for reasons I will make clear in a moment. I have already separated our finances; I’ve taken half our savings. Eventually, I want half the equity in the house, so we will have our lawyers sort that out. The second document is a set of adoption papers for Mackenzie. Stephen will adopt her; make no mistake, this is what both Mackenize and I are telling you will happen. If you sign them, you will not need to pay child support. Right now, I am sure you are heartbroken, but that’s the way we want it. The last document is a restraining order that will be in place until the divorce is complete. It is so that you will stay away from Stephen, Makenzie and me until everything is finished.

I am sorry it worked out this way. But, unfortunately, a plumber can never provide for us as a doctor can. So this is the choice we have made.

Goodbye Terry

Carol.”

I must have sat there for half an hour before I moved. All of my emotions were muted or screaming at me. I wasn’t sure what to feel right then as both my wife and daughter had just left me with no warning. If the letter was correct, this had been going on for eighteen months, and I was blind to it. I read the letter three times before there was a knock on the door. Slowly I got up and went to the door. It was my older sister Kim.

“Terry, I got a text from Carol saying that you were unwell and needed some help?”

She took one look at me, and suddenly my emotions were back. I collapsed to the ground in the entrance, sobbing. “They’re gone”.

She sat down next to me. “What do you mean they’re gone? Terry, what’s going on?”

I still held the letter in my hand and handed it to Kim. She read it while I sat there.

Her neck grew red as she read the letter. “Those fucking bitches!” she almost yelled when she finished the letter. “That fucking slut and her ungrateful excuse for a daughter”. I was taken aback by her anger. While Carol and Kim had never been close, they were friendly as sister-in-law’s, and Kim was always there for Mackenzie when she needed it. “Now it all makes sense!” She looked down at me. “Common little brother, I need to get you sorted. Sitting here and crying is not how our family works. Let’s get you moving!”

She helped me into my bathroom and started the shower for me. I was still in my dirty work clothes, so leaving me with orders to clean up and come back to the kitchen, I spent a good ten minutes in the shower just letting the hot water run over my back. I will admit I spent most of the time feeling sorry for myself and confused about what I had done wrong to lose my wife and daughter in a single moment.

Getting out of the shower, I could hear Kim swearing out in the kitchen. So I dried myself, got dressed, and made my way out to her. She was sitting down and read through each of the documents that Carol had left. She saw me walk into the room and pretty much growled. Normally I would frown on someone opening and reviewing legal documents. However, Kim wasn’t just my older sister. She was also my lawyer. So as I sat down, she reached across the table and put her hand on mine.

“How are you doing Terry?”

I looked at her, “I don’t know Kim, I think I’m in shock, I mean, I never even saw this coming. I don’t know what I did to have both my wife and daughter abandon me with no notice. There was nothing, even this morning, as I walked out the door. I got my usual peck on the cheek from Carol, and Mackenize hugged me and told me to have a good day. Nothing that made me think, this…” I passed my hands over the documents.

Kim frowned. “Terry, In looking through these documents, they are very thorough. I can tell they have spent a lot of time getting them prepared, so all of this is certainly not a spare of the moment thing. It’s long thought out and very cold. However, it also brings into focus a few things.”

“Like what?”

“Well, I didn’t think about it at the time, however over the last several month’s Carol has been asking me several things about how the legal framework is maintained around your finances. For example, what’s the difference between your business and personal finances. I thought she was hinting at you guys wanting to expand this house or put more away for Mackenzie when she goes to university. However, now I see it was all about this. ” she flicked her hand at the divorce papers in her hands. “It also makes sense why Carol wanted me here this evening. She knew that I would represent you, and based on what is here. She wants it done quickly so she can marry this Stephen Morrison.”

I nodded, “What about Mackenzie and this adoption she talked about?”

Her mood darkened, “To me, this is the absolute worst thing they have done; this takes you away from being a father. This document,” she picked up another large document, “is a fully completed adoption framework. These things can take a long time to process to this point. Of the four signatures required, Stephen, Carol and Mackenzie have already signed, it only needs your signature, and Stephen Morrison will legally adopt her once Carol is married to him.”

Again I nodded, feeling the world spiral out of control. “There is not much I can do, is there?”

“There is a lot you can do, but it would be costly, and honestly, with how both Carol and Mackenize have positioned this, the time they have taken, I don’t think it’s worth it. And Terry, this is not just Carol here. You little princess has been in on this from almost the beginning if I read these adoption papers correctly. They have fucked you over, little brother.”

I kept nodding and said nothing, just looking down at my hand in my older sisters. Kim squeezed my hand.

“Terry, look at me.” I looked up at Kim, “Right now, your numb, your right with what you said before. I think your body is in a state of shock, and I don’t want you to drink though I know that is tempting right now.” She smiled, a strange look coming on her face. “In fact, I want you to come with me now to the hospital!”

“Hospital, why?”

“As your sister, I want to make sure you’re ok. But, as your lawyer, I need you to trust me.” So she packed up the documents, got me into her car and took me to the hospital. Little did I know that trip would change my life forever, having an enormous impact over the next few years.

Kim drove me to the hospital, and we said little on the way; I looked out the window again, wondering what I had done to deserve this. Finally, we made it into the hospital, and we got into the waiting line. It was early evening, so the queue wasn’t too bad. Having been through this play with clients before, Kim had asked for a specific doctor, and we were told we might have to wait a while. As we sat and waited, Kim went through the details in all the paperwork. I just sat there, spending a bit of time on my phone browsing Facebook. I noticed that both Carol and Makenzie had ‘unfriended’ and ‘blocked’ me. I was a little surprised, though I suppose I should not have been; they had just thrown me out of their lives without a single backwards glance. I spent some time in a few groups, chased down a couple of emails, all for lack of anything else to do. We had been sitting for around forty-five minutes, and I had just put my phone away when I saw an older lady walk in. She had flaming red hair and striking green eyes. She also had milky white skin and an excellent figure for someone I thought was in her mid-forties. She was on a pair of crutches due to her left leg being in a cast. As she came near us, one of her crutches caught on the side of one of the hospital chairs; pushing the crutch out and tripping her, she started to fall. Without thinking, I lept out of my chair and dove to catch her. I was partially successful and rolled as we both went down. I had grabbed her by the waist and made sure she landed on me in place of the hard tiled floor. We both grunted as we fell. After a moment of shock, I helped her back up. She was embarrassed, apologetic and very thankful.

I helped her sit in one of the seats beside Kim and me while one of the duty nurses who noticed the fall came over to check on us. The redheaded woman’s voice was like one of those old actresses from Dorris Day movies. It was melodic and spoke of wisdom while sharing compassion with the focus of her attention. She addressed the nurse.

“I’m fine sweetie. This fine young man saved me!”

I blushed at thirty-two; it had been a few years since I had been called young. The nurse checked her details and came back a few minutes later, letting her know that she was checked in and her doctor would be out to collect her soon.

She turned back to me, and we spoke for a few minutes. I learnt her name was Martha, her husband William was parking the car after letting her out at the main doors, not wanting her to walk far. They were from out of town, down Bathurst way, and she had accidentally fallen and broken her ankle about a week ago. This was to be her final check-up before they had the ok to drive home. A few minutes later, her husband came in and joined us. We shook hands, and Martha introduced us. They were a great couple, and you could tell from the way they held hands they were truly in love.

As we spoke, it turned out that William owned one of the major plumbing suppliers around the county, and I knew his company well, having used his products quite often. So for the next little while, we got into some impromptu shop talk. I found talking to them relaxing, and for a few minutes, I forgot everything that was happening to me, enjoying meeting some genuinely lovely people. When the conversation as to what we were doing here, I shrugged, and Kim stepped in.

“It’s a little sensitive, so I would need to rely on your discretion if that’s ok?” William and Martha nodded their heads.

“Terry here is having a horrible day. This afternoon he returned home to find his house emptied. His wife and daughter had left him with no warning for another man. All he got was a ‘dear john’ letter. The divorce papers and two of the most disgusting documents I have ever come across in the forms of adoption papers and a restraining order. So, I brought him here for some assessment and treatment since it may not look like it, but he is in a state of shock, and I want medical entry showing to his state of mind.”

William and Martha just looked at me. I had reverted to my numb state as Kim told these two people the summary of my story this afternoon. As Kim gave her point of view with my permission, Martha reached over and put a hand on my arm.

There was a single tear rolling down her cheek. “My goodness, Terry, I don’t understand how they could do this. You are obviously a kind and gentle soul. Not just anyone would reach out and put themselves on the line to help someone as you did me just a few minutes ago. I know we don’t know you, but you don’t appear to be the type of person who deserves this type of treatment from two people that you love.”

I wasn’t sure what to say, but being a big sister, Kim jumped in again, “He’s done nothing but love and dote both of those girls for years. His wife states in her letter that being a plumber is just not good enough for both of them and that the doctor they are leaving him for can provide so much better.”

William snorted shook his head. Kim continued.

“I don’t know what kind of man this Stephen Morrison is, but to do this shows the man has suspect morals.”

I heard both William and Martha take a sharp intake of breath.

“Did you say, Stephen Morrison?” William asked.

“Yes, Dr Stephen Morrison,” Kim replied. She cocked her head to the side and raised an eyebrow, “Why?”

William looked at Martha briefly, and she nodded her head slightly.

“Excuse me.” William stood and walked over to the reception.

Kim and I looked over at Martha; something was going on here.

“William has just gone to change my doctor. You see, I was supposed to be seeing Dr Morrison for my checkup.”

It was now mine and Kim’s turn to breathe in sharply.

“William and I hold certain, shall we say, standards. And Terry, hearing your sister here tell us your story, I won’t be treated by someone who could be so cold and blatant as to steal someone’s wife and daughter doing what they have done to you. So we will change our doctor”.

A few minutes later, William came back and sat down beside Martha. Not a moment later, the man himself, Dr Stephen Morrison, came waltzing out to find out what was going on. He noticed William and Martha “I’m sorry, Mr and Mrs Delotiz, I’m told you have…” and then he saw me sitting there.

Stephen Morrison was a slightly older man, was heavy set with short sandy blading blond hair and somewhat pudgy fingers. He was a head shorter than me and was carrying quite the round belly to suit his fingers. But Dr Stephen Morrison walked like a man who had a silver spoon stuck firmly up his ass, most likely having been given everything in life and never had to fight for anything.

Looking at me, he suddenly ignored William and Martha. Now I was in his sights, and he looked me over like I was the three-day-old pizza that had been left out on the kitchen bench.

“You, Terry Other, are not allowed to be here!” there was a sneer that had developed in his voice, his bedside manner having been lost in the space of a heartbeat.

Kim stood and interposed herself between Stephen and me. “Dr Morrison, I am Kim Other, Terrys older sister and his lawyer. I will state here for the record that we had no idea who you were, what you looked like or even that you worked here until a few moments ago. ”

If Kim’s words gave him pause, he didn’t show it; indeed, the sneer in on his face sharpened. “That does not matter; he is in violation of a restraining order and needs to leave NOW!”

“As you wish, Dr Morrison, please note that I will be minuting this interaction and your demands. We are leaving now and will seek treatment for Terry at another location.”

Stephen laughed; it wasn’t a nice laugh either. He couldn’t help but try to kick a man when he was down. It must have been the type of asshole he was. “Treatment,” he snorted. “For what for being a pathetic loser,” He puffed up his flabby chest, “His wife and daughter left him for a better man. Stupid fucking plumber.” I noticed that everyone in the waiting room, including William and Martha, looked at him sharply. But stupid is as stupid does, and he continued. “as such a pathetic fucking cuckold, no wonder he needs treatment. But it will be somewhere else as he is not welcome in this hospital and is in violation of the restraining order; now leave before I have security escort you off the property.”

Kim nodded. “I will minute your words and your derogatory comments towards Mr Other. And please note that in compliance with the aforementioned restraining order, now that we know you are here, we’re leaving.” Kim stated. I was beginning to seethe. Standing before me was the pompous ass that had destroyed my family, stolen my wife and decided to make his daughter his. I stood and balled my fists. I could knock this fat fuck out with one punch. Who gives a shit about the jail time. It would be worth it. But, even as I moved toward the asswipe, it was William that stayed me. He put a hand on my shoulder before my anger boiled out, looked at me and shook his head before I did something stupid.

Stephen turned to William and Mathra, now ignoring me, his bedside manner returned suddenly. “Now, Mr and Mrs Delotiz, if you will please follow me, I will do your checkup now. Please understand that what this man has told you is likely wrong and should not influence your treatment decision”.

William again shook his head; his hand was still on my shoulder as Kim was packing up her stuff so we could leave. “I’m sorry, Dr Morrision. However, having witnessed your comments just now. A restraining order or not, you disrespected someone in pain while in a place of healing. I cannot in good conscience allow my wife to be treated by yourself, in a hospital like this where people with your standing can casually treat people like the way you have just treated Mr Other here. So we will also be seeking treatment in another location.”

He turned and helped Martha to her feet. She got her crutches under her, then the four of us made our way to the front entrance. William stopped and turned as the sliding doors opened, then addressed Stephen one more time. “Dr Morrision, please inform the hospital director and your regional director that as of this moment, my financial support will now be removed from this hospital and its regional health centres. Instead, I will redirect it to other medical areas where its staff are professional. When they ask why I except you will know what to tell them.” With that, he turned back to us and left Stephen standing there like a fish out of water, his mouth gaping open.

The four of us ended up going to a private hospital a few minutes down the road. Unfortunately, they didn’t have an emergency department. However, they were open, and it appears that William’s name opened a few doors. We were assigned a doctor, Dr Marge Hill. I insisted that Martha be seen first, and she came out a few minutes later with the all-clear to travel home. When I was taken in for my consultation, Kim came along with me, giving Dr Hill a high-level summary of what had happened. Dr Hill did several tests on me and took some blood samples.

“Mr Other, it’s obvious from the tests so far that you’re suffering a mild form of shock following the events of today. What your sister is after are a medical check on your physical state and mental capacity. Most people don’t understand that these events can change body chemistry, and most don’t think getting checked straight away.” Marge smiled at me, “She’s looking out for you.”

After the tests were completed, including some bloodwork, we went back out to the waiting room, and I was surprised to find William and Martha still waiting for us. We talked for a few minutes, and I found that they wanted to make sure I was ok. Kim let them know I was going to be ok thanking them for their concern. We exchanged details, Martha making me promise that I would call them once a week to let them know I was ok. I promised, and I am happy to say that I more or less kept that promise over the next six months, keeping them up to date on what was happening.

When Kim got me home, she got me into bed and made sure I took the first medication I was prescribed, something to help me sleep and some mild anti-depressants. She tucked me in, kissed me on the head and told me she would check on me in the morning. I slept heavily, not waking until late the following day.

To me, the following months were a bit like a walking dream that I couldn’t quite wake from. All I did was go to work and come home to the empty house. After going through the documents, Kim spoke with Carol and Mackenzie’s lawyer; grudgingly, she had me sign the divorce papers and the adoption papers with only a couple of minor changes. The advice was that Makenzie was delighted with Stephen, and I didn’t need to be her father anymore.

Two things happened about a month before our final court date, where the divorce would be final. First, it was my thirty-third birthday. I got messages from friends, and I even got a call from Martha wishing me a happy birthday on behalf of William and her. Kim and her husband Paul, along with my parents, took me out for dinner. I was very appreciative but very muted. I had hoped beyond all hope that I might get something from my daughter. However, nothing arrived, no messages, nothing. I thought I would try to call, but I suppose that could be harassment under the restraining order and could get in trouble, so I didn’t.

The second thing was that a week later, it was Mackenize’s fifteenth birthday. So again, knowing I could get in trouble, I did nothing. That evening, about nine, though, I got a text message from an unknown number.

“You should call me to wish me a happy birthday and tell me what you got me for my birthday.”

I just about lost it. It was evident that this was Mackenize. For almost fifteen years, Mackenzie was always so excited about my birthday, always giving me huge hugs and trying to spoil me in that adorable way that only kids could. With our birthdays close together, it was always our thing to make each other feel special. I didn’t even rate a message on my birthday this year, even with her knowing I was likely lonely and hurt. But come her birthday, she wanted me to call her and tell her what I got her. For the umpteenth time since this all started, I wondered where the caring little girl I used to love and would love to come to the job site with me went. Of course, I didn’t call or message her back, but I did punch a wall. I put my hand through it. I was so upset and spent most of the evening with my knuckles on a bag of ice fuming.

The next day, Kim came to check on me and noticed my hand, the hole in the wall and my generally depressed disposition. When she asked what happened, I showed her the text, and she came and hugged me, telling me that she understood.

“Don’t worry, Terry, I didn’t get the little bitch anything either.”

I looked down and at my red and swollen hand. “I did.”

“Oh Terry,” Her tone softened, “I’m sorry little brother. I know this is hurting you badly.” Then, for the next half hour, she just hugged me.

Our day in court came not long after, and I was there with Kim on one side, while Carol was there with her lawyers, curtsy of Stephen, I’m sure. The evil fucktard sat behind them on the other side of the courtroom from us. He kept glaring at me while Carol wouldn’t even meet my eyes. Makenzie was at school and wouldn’t be in the room for this anyway.

When the judge walked in, both sides presented their final positioning statements. Then both lawyers submitted our agreed financials as of the date of separation when Carol and Mackenize left. Next, the judge reviewed the updated documents. He had seen most of the content before, so he looked at the additional material. He spoke up.

“In regards to the case of divorce between Mr Terry Other and Mrs Carol Other, It is noted that Mrs Carol Others petition to divorce is granted. ” Carol, Stephen and her team looked relieved. The judge held up his hand. “However, in the divorce petition, there are a few things of note that I would like to address.

“First off, this court sees more than its fair share of divorce hearings, and it is not often that I get a case of a spouse leaving their partner who, for all intents and purposes, is a loving and caring husband and father. Neither do I often see the case of adoption come up concerning divorce. So when it does come up that something doesn’t feel right, I tend to take more of an interest in the why and what is being asked.” Carol’s legal team lost their smiles and looked at the judge. Kim and I said nothing.

“While there is no legal reason that this divorce cannot be granted, I have to say that I am appaled by the behaviour of Mrs Carol Other and her daughter. To purposely mislead a loving man for many months, conducting a sexual affair while systematically working to leave him and restrict his access to see his daughter is the height of moral depravity. I also have character statements from a Mr and Mrs Delotiz around an incident that occurred the night of separation.” The judge looked at me. “Mr Other showed true character, and when presented with one of the parties named in the restraining order Dr Stephen Morrision, in place of conflict, he withdrew.

“As mentioned above, there is no legal reason to stop this divorce. However, based on the individual petitions by both parties. The following will be noted in terms of the division of assets.” I could see Carol and her legal team stiffen. Kim was staring at the judge; this was not supposed to happen.

The judge continued. “Mrs Carol Other is granted half of the savings within the joint accounts Mr and Mrs Other held. It is noted that this has already been processed, and the joint accounts have been closed.

“Next, the motion that the full and complete university funds held for Ms Makenzie Other to the amount of,” the judge checked his notes, “One hundred and forty-two thousand dollars, be transferred to Mrs Carol Other for her daughter’s maintenance is denied.” Everyone gasped.

“Your Honor, I object”, Carol’s lawyer demanded.

“Objection overruled counsellor. As shown by the financial records, Mr John Other has supplied 100% of the funds to this account while Mrs Carol Other has supplied nothing other the years despite having a part-time job. It is noted that one of the documents processed was a demand for Mr Other to abandon the claim to his daughter as Mr Stephen Morrison wishes to adopt Ms Other with both the approval of Ms Carol Other and Mrs Mackenzie Other. As Ms Mackenzie Other is not yet of university age and does not wish to retain the title and name of Mr Other. This court sees no reason that Mr Other should be forced to pay funds towards someone that does not want him.” “Those funds will remain in possession of Mr Other in their entirety. Should he choose to provide funds towards Ms Others continuing education following today’s ruling, that will be entirely at his discretion.”

I was flawed. I had been making deposits into that account for Mackenize since she was born, to find out that I would not have to provide anything to Carol or Mackenize was unexpected. The judge continued.

“The motion that Mr John Other pay spousal maintenance and child support from the date of separation until the date that Mrs Carol Other marries the aforementioned Dr Stepehn Morrison is denied. From the petition and the way, Mr Other was railroaded by Mrs Other and Ms Other. This court finds that at no point was he provided reasonable avenues to respond. It is further understood that Mrs Other and Ms Other have resided with Dr Morision since the day of separation. As per the letter that Mrs Other left for Mr Other on the day of separation. Along with the petitions to this court that Mrs Other and Mr Morrision will marry immediately following my ruling. And lastly, the adoption of Ms Other will occur directly following the wedding. Therefore, this court sees no reason to grant the support request.