I thought my daughter led a happy family life until I visited them.
When Aurélie told us she was marrying a man eight years older, we raised no objections. He made a great first impressioncultured, courteous, attentive. Grégoire knew how to win people over. He showered our daughter with tender gestures: flowers, trips, gifts. When he announced he would cover every wedding expensethe restaurant, the dress, the videographers, the décorI nearly wept. We were convinced our little girl was in safe hands.
Mom, he runs his own business, dont worry, Aurélie reassured me. Hes comfortable, he has everything under control.
Six months after the ceremony, Grégoire came to see 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 aging Rouen apartment was fitted with luxurious quintupleglazed, soundproof windows. Then the balcony was refurbished, a climatecontrol system installed, even the flooring was 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 lavish. Of course, it pleased us. How could we not be happy seeing our daughter living comfortably, loved, with such a considerate husband?
Their first child was then born. Everything felt like a scene from a film: a hospital discharge with balloons, a beautiful onesie, lacetrimmed swaddles, a photographerpure opulence. My husband and I smiled, softened: There they are, a happy family.
Two years later a second child arrived. More gifts, more guests, yet Aurélie seemed dimmed. Her eyes were weary, her smile forced. At first I chalked it up to postpartum fatiguetwo babies are demanding. But every phone call hinted she was hiding something.
I decided to pay them a visit and warned them in advance. I arrived one evening; Grégoire was absent. Aurélie greeted me without enthusiasm, the children played in their room, I hugged them tightly. My heart liftedgrandchildren, after all. When the kids settled on cartoons, I gently asked my daughter:
Aurélie, my dear, whats wrong?
She flinched, stared off, then forced a strained smile:
Everythings fine, Mom. Im just tired.
Its more than tiredness. Youre shut down. You dont laugh, your eyes are sad. I know you, Aurélie. Tell me the truth.
She hesitated. Just then the front door slammedGrégoire was coming home. Upon seeing me, he made an almost imperceptible grimace. He smiled, greeted me, but his eyes were cold, as if I were an intrusion. Thats when I noticed the overly sweet, unmistakably feminine French perfume he worenothing like his usual scent.
When he removed his jacket, a pink lipstick mark appeared on his collar. I couldnt help but say, clearly:
Grégoire were you really at the office?
He froze for a moment, then straightened, looked at me with a chilling calm, almost brutal, and replied:
Jacqueline, with all due respect, stay out of our marriage. Yes, there is another woman, but that means nothing. For a man of my standing, its common. Aurélie knows. It doesnt change our family. We wont divorce. The children, my wifeeverything is under control. I support them, Im here. So dont waste time on details like lipstick.
I clenched my jaw. Aurélie stood, lowered her gaze, and slipped into the childrens room. He headed for a shower as if nothing had happened. My heart shattered with helplessness. I went to my daughter, held her close, 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 cry, silently, as if the tears flowed on their own. I stroked her back without saying a word. 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 a golden cage where, on the surface, everything seemed perfect. Everythingexcept respect. And true love, the kind without lies or contempt.
I left into the night. Back home I couldnt sleep. My heart was torn. I wanted to take her and the children and run away, 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.
