When she turned the key in the lock that Friday evening, Aurélie had no idea the day would upend her life. As she pushed open the door to the couples Paris flat, she called out as she always did:
My love, Im home!
Only a heavy silence answered her.
Strange He should be back by now, she thought, heading toward the bedroom.
She opened the door and froze. Her husband, Théo, was hurriedly packing a suitcase.
Théo what are you doing? she whispered, her heart tightening.
Im leaving, he replied coldly, not even looking at her.
Youre leaving? Why? Whats happening?
All of this is because of your father, he spat, irritated.
My father? What does he have to do with this?
Aurélie was baffledby his words and by the situation. In an instant, the marriage she had nurtured with love and patience began to crumble.
They had met when Aurélie was twentyeight. Théo, eight years older, was selfassured, charismatic, and seasoned. At the time she believed she had found the man of her life. Her family and friends kept urging her toward marriage, reminding her that the biological clock was ticking. Consequently, she started seeing every suitor as a potential husband, which drove many away.
With Théo, however, things felt different. They crossed paths in a Paris café thanks to a coworker, and the spark was immediate. He was attentive and charming. When he learned that Aurélie owned a flat in the 16th arrondissement, drove a new car, held a wellpaid civilservice job, and had an entrepreneurial father, his affection grew even more pronounced.
A year later they were planning an extravagant wedding, fully financed by her father. Théo never objected; on the contrary, he eagerly accepted a position in one of his fatherinlaws boutiques.
Their life together initially resembled a fairytale: overseas trips, candlelit dinners, lavish gifts. Yet one flaw spoiled everythingThéo never spent a cent. Aurélie always covered the bills. At first she ignored it, then she began asking, eventually pleading.
Why do I have to shoulder everything? she complained to her best friend. I want to feel cherished, protected.
Théo would laugh:
Stop worrying, darling. Everythings fine. Dont make a fuss over nothing.
At work he did the bare minimum, spent most of his time on his phone, and secretly tucked his earnings into a hidden account. Aurélie remained oblivious.
Then she fell seriously ill. Hospitalized for a month, Théos visits were rare, while her parents came daily. When she returned, the flat was in disarray.
You didnt even clean? she exclaimed.
Why? Thats a womans job, isnt it? he shrugged.
I was in the hospital, Théo! And its always my job to tidy up?
Well, youre back now. Do it yourself.
Exhausted, she hired a cleaning service. Doctors warned that recovery would take at least a year. A pregnancy? Not an option yet.
A year later, when doctors finally gave the green light, she shared the news with Théo, her voice trembling.
Can you believe it? We could try we could finally have a baby!
Meh Not now, Im busy, he growled, eyes glued to his gaming console, a PlayStation she had bought with her own money.
Weeks passed. He avoided her. One day he finally spoke:
Listen, Aurélie Im leaving. Im not interested in having a child with you.
What?!
I dont love you. I never have. You were just convenientyour flat, the money, the car. Im done. Youre no longer useful.
Théo, you you cant do this. Youve seen everything Ive endured, everything Ive waited for
Your problems, not mine. I do what I want.
He slammed his suitcase shut, shoved his console inside, and walked out.
Aurélie lay helpless for days, unable to eat or sleep. Three days later her worried parents arrived to take her away. Seeing her in that state, her father nearly lost his temper.
They whisked her to their home in Provence. That same night Théo was fired, and thanks to connections his fatherinlaw managed to freeze his bank account. All his savings vanished.
Théo found himself penniless, jobless, and homelessbarely able to afford a modest room, with no clue about the future.
Months later Aurélie secured a new job. There she met Lucas, a man past his youth but upright, calm, and immediately respectful and kind to her.
Six months after that, a small miracle appeared: two pink lines on a test. Tears, laughter, a call to her parents, and an overwhelming pride in having finally mustered the courage to say enough.
