I thought my daughter had a happy family until I visited them.
I believed my daughter was content in her marriage until I paid a visit.
When Aurélie told us she was marrying a man eight years older, we raised no objections. He made an immediate good impressionpolite, refined, attentive. Grégoire knew how to win hearts. He showered our girl with tender gestures: flowers, trips, presents. And when he announced he would cover every wedding expensethe venue, the dress, the videographers, the décorI almost wept. We were convinced our little one was in capable hands.
His own company, sweetheart, dont worry, Aurélie would say. Hes settled, everythings under control.
Six months after the ceremony, Grégoire visited us with Aurélie. He walked through our flat in silence. The next day, technicians arrived to take measurements. A week later, workers showed up. Soon our old Rouen apartment boasted luxurious quintupleglazed, soundproof windows. Then the balcony was refurbished, a climatecontrol unit installed, even the tiles were replaced.
My husband and I thanked them, bewildered, but he brushed off our gratitude with a wave: Just small things. For my wifes parents, nothing is too extravagant. Of course, it pleased us. How could we not be delighted to see our daughter living comfortably, loved, with such a caring husband?
Then their first child was born. It felt like a scene from a movie: the maternity ward exit with balloons, a pretty onesie, lacetrimmed swaddles, a photographereverything was sumptuous. My husband and I smiled, feeling warmed: There they are, a happy family.
Two years later a second baby arrived. More gifts, more visitors. Yet Aurélie seemed dimmed. Her eyes were weary, her smile forced. At first I chalked it up to postpartum fatiguetwo kids are no easy feat. But with each phone call I sensed she was hiding something.
I decided to pay them a visit. I warned them in advance. I arrived one evening. Grégoire was absent. Aurélie greeted me without enthusiasm; the children were playing in their room, I kissed them and held them close. My heart flutteredgrandchildren, after all. When the kids settled into their cartoons, I gently asked my daughter:
Aurélie, dear, whats wrong?
She flinched, stared into the distance, then forced a tight smile:
Everythings fine, Mom. Im just tired.
Its more than fatigue. You seem shut down. You dont laugh, your gaze is sad. I know you, Aurélie. Tell me the truth.
She hesitated. At that moment the front door slammedGrégoire was coming home. Seeing me, he made a barely perceptible grimace. He smiled, greeted me, but his eyes were cold, as if I were an intrusion. Then I caught his scenta sweet, overly feminine perfume that didnt suit him. A French, decidedly womens fragrance.
When he stripped off his jacket, I saw a faint pink lipstick mark on his collar. I couldnt help but say, plainly:
Grégoire were you really at the office?
He froze for a split second, then straightened, stared at me with icy composure, almost brutal, and replied:
Jacqueline, with all due respect, stay out of our marriage. Yes, there is another woman, but that means nothing. For someone of my standing, its commonplace. Aurélie knows. It changes nothing for our family. We wont divorce. The children, my wifeeverything is under control. Im providing, Im present. So dont linger on details like lipstick.
I clenched my jaw. Aurélie rose and slipped into the childrens bedroom, head down. He headed for the shower as if nothing had happened. My heart shattered with helplessness. I moved toward my daughter, embraced her, and whispered:
Aurélie do you think this is normal? That he sleeps with another woman while you endure it? Is this what a family looks like?
She shrugged and began to sob, silently, as if the tears fell on their own. I stroked her back without speaking. I had so much to say, but it was futile. The choice was hers: stay with a man who believes money excuses betrayal, or choose herself.
She was trapped in that golden cage, where outward perfection masked everything except respect. And true lovehonest, without contemptwas missing.
I left that night. Back home, sleep eluded me. My heart was torn. I wanted to take her and the children and run. But I knew that until she decided, nothing would change. All I could do was be there, wait, and hope that someday Aurélie would choose herself.
