When a Husband Comes Back from His Mothers House and Suggests a Paternity Test for Our TwoYearOld Daughter: Not for Me, for Mom
One day the husband returned from his mothers place, let out a sigh and suggested a paternity test for their twoyearold daughter: Not for me, for Mom.
For six months before we got married, she kept telling her son, Dont marry her, shes not right for you! Marine, 30, recounted, her voice trembling with anger. She said I was too pretty and would cheat on you! We used to laugh, joking that Thomas should have chosen a crocodile instead of a woman to avoid any surprises. Now theres no laughter left. Not a single chuckle.
Marine does not see herself as a stunning beauty. She is an ordinary suburban Lyon woman, wellkept like many others. Slim, neatly styled, dressed simply, she has always been demanding in love and has respected herself. It remains a mystery why her motherinlaw, Thérèse, branded Marine as frivolous and unfaithful. Yet that woman has turned her daughterinlaws life into a nightmare.
They have been married for four years and share a daughter. Marine is on parental leave; her days consist of cooking, cleaning and changing diapers. The only people she sees are the other mothers at the park. But Thérèse never lets up. She suspects Marine of cheating and watches her like a cheap TV detective.
Shes always been watching me! Marine sighs, eyes glistening with tears. She would call to check, show up unannounced, try to control my every move. At first I tried to laugh about it, I told Thomas and we joked. It became exhausting! I exploded several times, we fought, she would calm down for a while then start again with even more intensity.
The first scandal occurred a few months after the wedding. Thérèse turned up uninvited at Marines workplace. No call, no reasonjust to verify: Is she really working here? Or is she lying to her husband to run off to lovers?
I have no idea how she got in! Marine retorted. We have security; visitors must sign in. I nearly fainted when the secretary handed me a note that read Someone for you. I asked, Thérèse, what are you doing here? and she replied, I wanted to see where you work. She stared around the openplan office, everyone glued to their screens. I cant imagine if my office had been closed.
Later, the secretary, Élodie, told Marine that the strange woman had peppered her with countless questions. Since when does she work here? Is she on time? Who does she talk to? Does she have anyone here? I told her youre married! Élodie added, bewildered. Marine was furious. Back home she erupted at Thomas: Your mother crossed the line! Talk to her, this is absurd! She almost looked under my desk for a lover. Who knows
Thomas seemed to have a serious talk with his mother, and a relative calm settled in. Thérèse called in the evenings, asked for updates, sent cakes. Marine hoped the storm had passed. She was wrong.
The next incident happened during her pregnancy. On sick leave, she was at home with her phone off when a clamor jolted her awake: pounding on the door and a continuous ringing. I jumped, thinking the house was on fire! she recalled. I looked through the peephole Thérèse, her face twisted, pounding and ringing like a madwoman. I was terrified to open. I called Thomas: Come quickly, I dont understand! He arrived in twenty minutes. I waited by the door.
They shouted at Thérèse. Marine threatened to call the police or a psychiatric hospital if it happened again. Keep her away from me! she demanded. Calm returned temporarily.
Marine gave birth to a daughter, but her motherinlaw refused even to see the baby. The reason? All the men in Thomass family were boys; a girl, according to Thérèse, proved an infidelity. I didnt even listen to that nonsense, Marine said. I no longer speak to her. Thomas sees her once a month, without us. Good. I would never entrust my child to her.
The worst came later. One evening Thomas came back from his mothers house, looking grim, and suggested a paternity test. Not for me, Marine, seriously! he stammered. Its for my mother. Let her stop this already! Shes going crazy, and Im stuck with it
Marine let out a bitter laugh. For your mother? Her voice quivered with rage. Youre just feeding her delusions! Shell never stop. Even after three tests shell claim we rigged the results! I wont play her game, end of story.
Its just a test, Thomas insisted.
Why even do it? Marine stared at him, holding back tears. I know who the father of my daughter is. And you? If you really need proof, fine. But first, we get divorced. I wont stay with a man who doesnt trust me!
Her words fell like a sword. Their trust was cracking, poisoned by his mother. Marine felt she was on the edge of an abyss, unsure how to rescue her marriage from this madness.
When a Husband Returns from His Mother’s House and Requests a Paternity Test for Our Two-Year-Old Daughter: Not for Me, but for Mum
