We have nothing to ask of you.
We want nothing from you.
Son, think carefully before its too late! That boy has nothing in common with you! Your Alice probably had this child with her ex and now wants you to raise him! I know it!
Mom, enough! Damien is my son Why do you always dig up stories? Fine, Im going home.
MarieCatherine raised her son alone. She and Alexandre had always gotten along perfectly: she never disrespected him, never contradicted him, and he always succeeded at school. As he grew, he became an engineer, just as his mother had hoped. It was now time to look after his love life. MarieCatherine found him a fiancée, a charming 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 sparked. After a few rough months they broke up. Then Alexandre met Hélène. Their connection was instant; he immediately saw in her a mind that matched his own. They married after three months, much to MarieCatherines dismay. Six months later Hélène became pregnant, and a boy was born whom they named Damien. Everything could have been perfect if it werent for the motherinlaw who hated her daughterinlaw. At every gathering she berated her son, even though four years had passed since the wedding:
Look what shes done to you! You always seem neglected
Mom, Im not neglected! The shirt just got a little creased in the wash
Sit down, have something to eat! Your wife probably didnt cook, and youll starve.
Mom, Ill eat at home. Hélène cooks well.
I know her! Supermarket steaks or, worse, frozen ravioli. Meanwhile Louise took pastry classes. What a genius she is
Alexandre tried to deflect his mothers attacks as best he could. He ignored her gossip and never passed her complaints to his wife, which were unfounded anyway. Yet MarieCatherine kept up her cold war against her daughterinlaw. One day her tactics finally bore fruit
Good morning, son Why does your Hélène never visit me? You always come alone!
Mom, how could she come if youre constantly criticizing her?
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 saw before you. That goodfornothing Christophe! The little one looks like that man. She had him first and now youre feeding him.
That evening Alexandre had a heated argument with his mother. Hed had enough of the endless criticism and rumors and went 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 some juice!
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 just a chance meeting. We were walking, he happened to pass by, we chatted a bit, then he walked us back 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 common in their house. Eventually Hélène had had enough; she gathered her things, took the boy, and moved back to her parents home in her hometown.
Divorce followed, and Alexandre was obliged to pay alimony. He remained convinced the child wasnt his, yet he never tried to prove it in court, simply paying the sum. MarieCatherine rejoiced and launched a broad campaign to revive the relationship between her son and the famed Louise, whom she regarded as the perfect daughterinlaw.
She succeeded, and Alexandre married Louise. But the new marriage soon turned turbulent. Louise constantly nagged Alexandre, demanding a lavish lifestyle.
Look at Irènes husbandalready buying a second fur coat! The Surkovs got a brandnew luxury car! And here I am, shivering in my old winter coat, driving a cheap car! Are you even a man?
Fifteen long years passed. Alexandre toiled on two construction sites while Louise lounged at seaside resorts, never denying herself anything. She didnt want children, saying she first wanted to live for herself and then maybe later. Seeing this, MarieCatherine tried to impose stricter rules, but Louise swiftly 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 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 stop working
Have you lost your mind? How will we 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 behind. A month later MarieCatherine died. Alexandre returned to say his goodbyes, 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 isolated himself there, bitterly replaying his mothers valuable advice. Why had he ever listened? A life wasted, without family, children, or friends Not even a careverything he earned went to Louise While reflecting, Alexandre remembered Hélène and Damien. He had never known if Damien was his son or his exs child. It no longer mattered.
Damien must be nineteen now an adult how is he? Alexandre whispered into the empty air, receiving no answer.
The next morning he bought a train ticket to Hélènes hometown. He found the house and the building without trouble, rang the familiar doorbell, 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 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. 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 went back into the building and slammed the door in his face.
Son! Son, open the door! How can this be, my son? I am your father! Your father!!!
Christophe stood for a long time at the closed door, crying, his tears blurring his face. Or was it just rain? After that, he returned many times, trying to reach his son. Alexandre prayed, pleaded, tried to explain, but Damien refused any contact.
