This is the continuation of "Time to Man Up -- Part One." As it continues right where part one ended, with no recap, I strongly recommend reading that part first. Part One was published as I'm submitting this. I was also aware when I started writing this story, because of the division of opinions on cheating wife stories on this site, there will be readers who will hate the ending -- no matter which way it went. So, I hope most of you do enjoy this.
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Two months after regaining consciousness, Joel was still in the hospital. His back brace was removed, and he doing painful physiotherapy to try to walk again. He initially thought Judy and Tom were exaggerating; yeah he was a successful coach and good school administrator, but some local hero? The public support was overwhelming for him at times. Wendy often had to come help Judy carry flowers and baskets back to the house because his hospital room would quickly fill with them. Both current and former students and players would drop by to give their well wishes. It also wasn't lost on Joel that if Judy was ever around at these times, the attitude towards her ranged from cold to outright rude. Everyone knew her cheating led him to being in that bed.
Hospital security did ensure that no one from the media bugged Joel. He also didn't watch or read any stories about anything to do with him or that night -- and not just because Judy and his friends asked him not to. Joel didn't need to be reminded, and still felt like the guest of honor at a pity party. One who had to rely on his unfaithful wife to look after him.
Joel hadn't really given much thought about what Tom said, but accepted that Judy truly cared for him and wanted to help him through this. He also accepted that despite all the angry and hurt feelings about that night, Joel wanted -- needed -- her support. This was especially during his physio sessions, which were so intense physically and emotionally that he'd often break down. He wouldn't have gotten through a lot of them without having her words of encouragement, patting his back or squeezing his hand.
It was abundantly clear, however, that their relationship had changed. Joel had not said one thing to her about her affair or their marriage -- neither had Judy since she gave her side of things. Anyone watching them together would assume they were brother and sister or platonic friends, not a couple that had been together for more than a decade. Still, Joel was very glad that everyday, without fail, Judy was with him. Everyday, except for Mondays and Wednesday, she stayed with him until at least suppertime or until he was ready to sleep. On those two other days, she left shortly after one -- he presumed to go work or something. At least couple times a week, and every weekend, someone brought the girls for a long visit. They were his motivation on getting healed enough to go home.
Joel picked up one day that Judy was upset and trying not to cry. Other than tears of joy of him being able to take an assisted step with his half-paralyzed leg, she didn't cry once since her confession about her and Grinberg.
"Judy, what is it?" Joel asked as she pushed around the outside of the hospital in his wheelchair.
"What? Oh nothing..." Judy said dismissively.
"Doesn't look like nothing."
Judy sighed. "Guess you'll find out one way or another. The verdict came early this morning. The two guards were found guilty of second-degree aggravated assault, innocent of attempted murder, and Grinberg was found innocent of all charges. The DA said because of me and him, our testimony might be considered quite biased -- especially mine. Grinberg's lawyers some how found out that I broke up with the guy I dated before you because he caught me making out with another guy at a frat party. And, we met by you flirting with me while I was on a date with another guy. Used my relationship history to painted a clear picture of what type of woman I am..."
Joel didn't say anything. He did know about the frat party, also that Judy was already planning to dump the guy after finding out he cheated on her first. That detail never swayed him from proposing.
Judy let out a big sigh. "I guess, I shouldn't be too upset. Can't win them all -- you always said you just cared about winning the big ones, right?"
Joel nearly said that he lost the big one when he told her not to go to work that morning, but changed the topic. "So, I've been curious. Where are you working now?"
"Working?"
Joel turned to her. "I assumed. You leave here early every Mondays and Wednesday."
Judy blushed and looked away from his eyes. "I'm not working anywhere. I... go to counseling those days for an hour. After, I'm too emotional and usually a blubbering mess, so I spend a few hours home meditating and reflecting alone before getting the girls from daycare. You don't know how bad shape I was because of what happened... the guilt was literally killing me. I did want to die. I'm trying to fix myself, and it's slowly working."
"I hate to ask, but what are we doing for money then?" Joel said, "I mean, I had insurance through work and disability coverage, but the savings must be depleted." He was sure he saw her frown slightly when he said 'the savings,' instead of 'our savings.' "I really hope it's not donations or something. I don't want to be some charity case..."
"I was going to tell you, eventually, but... You seemed like you wanted to pretend like nothing happened, and I'm just another one of your supports -- not your wife," Judy said, again looking down but almost smiling. "As soon as you stabilized and we knew you would live, I contacted a lawyer for a civil suit against Grinberg Holding."
"You sued them?"
Judy lowered her voice. "Even though it's common news that you caught me and Grinberg having an affair, him taunting you and luring you there to listen was kept from the public. The attempted murder case was closed doors -- thanks to Grinberg's legal team. I filed two suits against the company for physical and emotional distress on you, and sexual harassment against me. I was his employee, and he clearly implied my career required us continuing to have sex. The picture he was stupid enough to send you was a smoking gun." Judy shrugged. "As you were still unable to really communicate, I agreed to a settlement -- which includes a hush order that neither of us can reveal Grinberg lured you there to humiliate you. Publically, he's playing what happened between us was just spur of the moment. The company was willing to pay a lot of money to make sure no one knows humiliating you was premeditated. If that gets out, the money goes back. That's why we've made sure no reporter went near you. Right now, only you, me, Wendy, Tom, and the guards know. Grinberg covered their legal fees in exchange for their silence, so it should remain a secret."
"How much are we talking about?"
Judy leaned in and whispered in his ear.
Joel's eyes went wide. "Five million!"
"Shhh..." Judy said, "It's not as much as you think. Almost two million went to taxes and legal fees. And your medical bills have been a lot more than our health coverage. It is enough for both of us and the girls to live comfortably while neither one of is working. I'm also giving Wendy and Tom monthly payments for how much they're helping with the girls. Once this is done... we'll decide what to do with the remainder."
Joel was relieved to not have that financial burden, and glad his humiliation wasn't common knowledge -- at least him having to listen to his wife fuck her boss -- he still was angry about the fact she did it in the first place. Discussing it did reopen the wound slightly for him. He tried not to react, but he was less friendly to Judy for a few days. Yet, he still wanted her there with him. Somehow, intuitively, she picked up on that and gave him some distance physically, but still was that emotional support when he fell down for the tenth time trying to walk with railings.
The week after Joel learned of the settlement, Judy shut their door and pulled the curtain around his bed. This seemed strange since he had a private room. He figured something was up, and probably she wanted to have the talk -- especially since doctors were hoping to release him within the next few days. They already agreed, since Joel will still need some assistance especially with bathing, Judy would be there to assist him. How that would work in a two-bedroom house with the girls already sharing a room wasn't discussed at all. Joel suspected both were avoiding that, as it would be deciding what was happening to them as a couple. He was positive Judy knew what was going to happen, but it still was hard to actually say out loud it was over.
Judy sat on the bed beside him, which she rarely did, except when he was particularly down, and took a breath. "Joel... I know you have not had an erection since being here."
"What?" Joel felt his face getting hot. "That's none of your..."
