We have nothing to ask of you
We want nothing from you
Son, think carefully before its too late! That boy doesnt resemble you at all! Your Alice must have had that child with her ex and now wants you to raise him! I know it!
Mom, enough! Damien is my son Why do you always look for drama? Fine, Im heading home.
MarieCatherine raised her son alone. Between her and Alexandre, an excellent relationship had developed: he never disrespected her, never argued, and always excelled at school. As an adult he became an engineer, just as his mother had hoped. It was now time for her to manage her sons romantic life. She found him a fiancée, a lovely young woman named Louise, the daughter of her friend Antonine.
At his mothers urging, Alexandre and Louise began seeing each other, but their romance never truly blossomed. After a few difficult months they broke up. Then Alexandre met Hélène. Their connection was instantaneous; the young man instantly recognized in her a mind similar to his own. They married after three months, much to MarieCatherines dismay. Six months later Hélène became pregnant. A boy was born, whom they named Damien. Everything could have been perfect if it werent for the motherinlaw who despised her daughterinlaw. At every encounter she criticized her son, even though four years had passed since the wedding:
Look at what shes done to you! You always seem neglected
Mom, Im not neglected! The shirt just got a little wrinkled in the wash
Sit down, have something to eat! Your wife surely didnt prepare anything, and youll go hungry.
Mom, Ill have dinner at home. Hélène cooks well.
I know her! Supermarket steaks or, worse, canned ravioli. Meanwhile Louise took pastry classes. Genius, that one
Alexandre deflected his mothers attacks as best he could. He ignored her gossip and never passed her complaints to his wife, deeming them unfounded. Yet MarieCatherine continued her cold war against her daughterinlaw. One day her strategy finally bore fruit
Good morning, son Why does your Hélène never come to see me? You always visit alone!
Mom, how could she come here when youre criticizing her all the time?
Id criticize if I had a reason, trust me! While youre here sipping tea, shes probably spending time with her ex. I know who she was seeing before you. That worthless Christophe! And the little one looks like that man. She had him first, and now youre feeding him.
That evening Alexandre had a fierce argument with his mother. Hed had enough of the constant criticism and rumors. He returned home in a foul mood.
Dad, dad, hi! little Damien ran to him.
Hey, son. What happened to you today? What did you do?
Mom and I went to the park. There was Mr. Christophe. He bought me a chocolate. And some 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 meeting. We were walking, he happened to be there. We chatted a bit, then he walked us home.
But why would my wife and son be escorted home by him? Maybe Damien isnt my son, but his?
Alex, why say that? Are you serious?
That night the couple argued fiercely for the first time since their wedding. From then on, quarrels became frequent in their house. Eventually Hélène had enough; she gathered her things, took their little boy, and moved back to her parents home in her hometown.
Divorce followed, and Alexandre was forced to pay alimony. He was convinced the child wasnt his, yet he never tried to prove it legally, simply accepting the payments. MarieCatherine rejoiced and launched a massive campaign to revive the connection between her son and the famed Louise, whom she considered the perfect daughterinlaw.
She succeeded, and Alexandre married Louise. But his new life took a turbulent turn. 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 my old winter coat, driving a cheap car! Are you even a man?
Thus fifteen long years passed. Alexandre toiled on two projects while Louise basked at seaside resorts and allowed herself anything she wanted. She didnt want children, saying she first needed to live for herself, then maybe later. MarieCatherine, seeing this, tried to impose her rules even more, but the daughterinlaw quickly 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 seriously ill and would need home care after discharge. Louise immediately declared:
Im definitely not going to spend my days and nights at that old womans bedside. We should place her in a care facility.
Louise, maybe I should quit working
Have you lost your mind? How are we supposed to live? I still have four years left on my car loan
Eventually MarieCatherine was moved to a retirement home, Alexandre returned to work far away, and Louise stayed behind. A month later MarieCatherine passed away. Alexandre came back to say goodbye to his mother, but he was so distraught that he forgot to inform his wife of his return. Opening the door with his keys, he was met with his partner in the arms of the neighbor Alexandre didnt cause a scene. He simply gathered his belongings and moved into his mothers apartment.
After MarieCatherines funeral, Alexandre remained holed up there, brooding over his mothers precious advice. Why had he listened? A wasted life, without family, children, or friends Not even a careverything went to Louise While ruminating, Alexandre remembered Hélène and Damien. He never knew whether Damien was his son or Hélènes exs child. It didnt matter now.
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 door, but no one answered. They must be at work, he thought, and waited outside. After twenty minutes he turned around, stunned A young man approachedhis own likeness, 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. Long ago. She died in a car accident ten years ago
And you? Who do you live with? Maybe I can help. I have money. Just ask!
I live with my grandmother. We want nothing from you.
But son I wanted
Alexandre couldnt finish. Damien entered 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 long before the closed door, crying, his tears wetting his face. Or was it just the rain? After that he returned several times, trying to reach his son. Alexandre prayed, begged, tried to explain, but Damien flatly refused any contact.
