We have nothing to ask of you
We want nothing from you
My son, think carefully before its too late! That boy isnt you at all! Your Alice certainly had that child with her ex and now wants you to raise him! Im sure of it!
Mother, enough! Damien is my son Why do you always stir up drama? Fine, Im going home.
MarieCatherine raised her son alone. Between her and Alexandre, the relationship had always been excellent: he never disrespected her, never contradicted her, and always succeeded at school. As an adult he became an engineer, just as his mother had hoped. It was now time to look after his love life. MarieCatherine arranged a fiancée for him, a pleasant young woman named Louise, the daughter of her friend Antonine.
At his mothers urging, Alexandre and Louise began seeing each other, but the romance never truly blossomed. After a few difficult months they broke up. Later Alexandre met Hélène. Their connection was immediate; he instantly sensed a kindred spirit in the pretty young woman. They married after three months, much to MarieCatherines dismay. Six months later Hélène became pregnant. A boy was born, and they named him Damien. Everything could have been perfect if it werent for the motherinlaw who despised her daughterinlaw. At every meeting she disparaged her son, even though four years had passed since the wedding:
Look what shes done to you! You always seem neglected
Mother, Im not neglected! The shirt just got a little wrinkled in the wash
Sit down, have something to eat! Your wife probably didnt cook, and youll starve.
Mother, Ill eat at home. Hélène cooks well.
I know her! Storebought steaks or, worse, ravioli. Meanwhile Louise took pastry classes. Genius, she is
Alexandre tried to deflect his mothers attacks as best he could. He ignored her gossip and never passed her complaints onto his wife, which, in any case, were unfounded. Yet MarieCatherine continued her cold war against her daughterinlaw. One day her strategy paid off
Good morning, son Why does your Hélène never come to see me? You always visit alone!
Mother, how could she come here if youre constantly criticizing her?
Id criticize if I had a reason, trust me! While youre sipping tea, shes probably spending time with her ex. I know who she saw before you. That worthless Christophe! The child looks like that man. She had him first and now youre feeding him.
That evening Alexandre had a violent argument with his mother. He was fed up with the endless criticisms and rumors. He returned home in a foul mood.
Dad, dad, hi! little Damien ran to him.
Hey, son. What happened today? What did you do?
Mom and I went to the park. There was Mr. Christophe. He bought me a chocolate. And juice too!
The thought that his mother might be right crossed Alexandres mind. Later that night he asked his wife:
Why did you see your ex?
Alex, it was a chance encounter. We were walking and he happened to be there. We chatted a bit, then he walked us home.
But why would my wife and my son be escorted home by him? Maybe Damien isnt my son, but his?
Alex, why are you saying that? Are you serious?
That night the couple fought fiercely for the first time since their wedding. From then on arguments became frequent. Eventually Hélène had enough, gathered her things, took the boy, and moved back to her parents house in her hometown.
Divorce followed, and Alexandre had to pay alimony. He was convinced the child wasnt his, yet he never tried to prove it legally and simply paid. MarieCatherine rejoiced and launched a widescale campaign to rekindle the connection between her son and the famed Louise, whom she deemed the perfect daughterinlaw.
She succeeded, and Alexandre married Louise. But the new marriage quickly turned turbulent. Louise constantly berated Alexandre, demanding a lavish lifestyle.
Look at Irènes husband, he already bought her a second fur coat! The Surkovs got a new luxury car! And Im stuck in an old winter coat, driving a cheap car! Are you even a man?
Thus fifteen long years passed. Alexandre toiled on two construction sites while Louise enjoyed seaside resorts and never denied herself anything. She didnt want children, saying she first wanted to live for herself, then maybe later. Seeing this, MarieCatherine tried to enforce her rules even more, but Louise promptly put her in her place.
One day Alexandre received a call from the hospital: his mother, MarieCatherine, had suffered a stroke and was rushed in. She was gravely ill and would need home care after discharge. Louise immediately declared:
Im certainly not going to spend days and nights at that old womans bedside. We should place her in a care facility.
Louise, maybe I should stop working
Have you lost your mind? How are we supposed to live? I still have four years left on my car loan
In the end MarieCatherine was moved to a retirement home, Alexandre went back to work far away, and Louise stayed at home. A month later MarieCatherine died. Alexandre returned to say goodbye, but he was so upset that he forgot to tell his wife he was coming. When he opened the door with his keys, he was met with his partner in the arms of the neighbor Alexandre made no scene. He simply gathered his things and moved into his mothers apartment.
After MarieCatherines funeral, Alexandre remained holed up in her flat, bitterly replaying his mothers wise advice. Why had he ever listened? A life wasted, without family, children, or friends Not even a careverything went to Louise While reflecting, Alexandre remembered Hélène and Damien. He never knew whether Damien was his son or his exs. It no longer mattered
Damien must be nineteen today An adult now How is he? Alexandre whispered into the void, receiving no answer.
The next morning he bought a train ticket to Hélènes hometown. He found the house and the building without trouble. He rang the familiar doorbell, but no one answered. They must be at work, he thought, deciding to wait outside. After twenty minutes he turned around, stunned A young man approachedhis own face, but twenty years younger.
Damien Damien My son
You? What are you doing here? Damien asked coldly.
My son, I owe you an apology What a striking resemblance Wheres your mother?
Moms gone. A long time ago. She died in a car accident ten years ago
And you? Who do you live with? Maybe I can help. Ill do whatevers needed! I have money. Just ask!
I live with my grandmother. We want nothing from you.
But son I wanted
Alexandre couldnt finish. Damien went back into the building and slammed the door in his face.
Son! Son, open up! How can this be, my son? I am your father! Your father!!!
Christophe stood for a long time at the closed door, crying, tears wetting his face. Or perhaps it was just the rain? After that he returned many times, trying to reach his son. Alexandre prayed, begged, tried to justify himself, but Damien flatly refused any contact.
