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 must have had that child with her ex and now wants you to raise him! I know it!
Mom, thats enough! Damien is my son Why do you keep digging up stories? Fine, Im going home.
MarieCatherine raised her son alone. Between her and Alexandre their relationship had been excellent: he had never disrespected her, never contradicted her, and always succeeded at school. As an adult he became an engineer, just as his mother had wished. 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 dating, but their romance never truly blossomed. After a few difficult months they broke up. Later Alexandre met Hélène. Their connection was instant; he immediately saw in her a spirit that matched his own. 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 might have been perfect if not for the motherinlaw who hated her daughterinlaw. At every meeting 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 make anything, 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. Such a genius
Alexandre tried to deflect his mothers attacks as best he could. He ignored her gossip and never passed her complaints on to his wife, since they had no basis. Yet MarieCatherine continued her cold war against Hélène. One day her tactics finally bore fruit
Good morning, son Why does your Hélène never visit me? Youre always coming alone!
Mom, how could she come when youre criticizing her all the time?
Id critique if I had a reason, believe me! While youre here drinking tea, shes probably spending time with her ex. I know who she saw before you. That goodfornothing Christophe! The child looks like that man. She had him first, and now youre feeding him.
That evening Alexandre had a fierce argument with his mother. He was fed up with the constant 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 a chance encounter. We were walking and he passed by. We chatted a bit, then he walked us back home.
Why would my wife and my son be walked back by him? Maybe Damien isnt my son at all, but his!
Alex, why are you saying that? Are you serious?
That night the couple fought fiercely, the first serious clash 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 forced to pay alimony. He was convinced the child wasnt his, yet he never tried to prove it legally; he simply paid. MarieCatherine rejoiced, launching a campaign to revive the connection between her son and the famous Louise, whom she deemed the perfect daughterinlaw.
She succeeded, and Alexandre married Louise. But his new marriage quickly turned turbulent. Louise constantly belittled Alexandre, demanding a lavish lifestyle.
Look at Irènes husband, already buying 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?
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 needed to live for herself, then perhaps later. MarieCatherine, seeing this, 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 seriously ill and would need home care after discharge. Louise immediately declared:
Im not going to spend days and nights at the bedside of that old woman. We should put her in a care facility.
Louise, maybe I should stop working
Have you lost your mind? How would we live then? I still have four years left on my car loan
In the end MarieCatherine was placed in a nursing home, Alexandre went back to work far away, and Louise stayed home. A month later MarieCatherine died. Alexandre returned to say goodbye, but was so upset he forgot to tell his wife he was coming. Opening the door with his keys, he was shocked to find her in the arms of the neighbor. He said nothing, packed his things, and moved into his mothers apartment.
After MarieCatherines funeral, Alexandre isolated himself in her former home, bitterly replaying his mothers wise advice. Why had he ever listened? A life wasted, without family, children, or friends not even a careverything he earned went to Louise While ruminating, he thought of Hélène and Damien. He never knew 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 apartment easily. He rang the familiar doorbell, but no one opened. They must be at work, he thought, waiting outside. After twenty minutes he turned and was 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 apologies 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 (Alexandre) stood long before the closed door, tears streaming down his facewere they tears or rain? He returned many times afterward, trying to reach his son. He prayed, begged, tried to explain, but Damien refused all contact.
