But the first look my mother-in-law gave me when she held her in her arms made me nervous.
I never thought that the day our daughter was born – a moment that should have been full of joy and love – will become the beginning of doubts, accusations and pain. When I first looked at her tiny, delicate face, I felt my heart was full. She was perfect. My child, our child.
But the first look my mother-in-law gave me when she held her in her arms made me uneasy. Her smile was forced, her tone cold.
– Interesting that a girl – she said, looking at my husband, Jakub. – In our family, for generations, only boys have been born.
I didn't know what to say. I ignored it, thinking it was just a strange comment that older people sometimes make. But with each passing day the atmosphere around me became more and more tense.
Jakub, my husband, who had been my support in every difficult moment, began to behave differently. He was lost in thought, avoiding eye contact. One evening, when I sat down next to him to talk, he exploded:
– Marta, we need to clear this up. My mom says something doesn't add up. You know, in our family, we always have boys. Maybe we should do a DNA test to clear up any doubts.
Everything inside me froze. DNA test? Does he really think our daughter isn't his child? Is it possible that my love and loyalty are now in question just because I gave birth to a girl?
– Jakub, what are you saying? She's your daughter, our daughter! – I said, feeling tears welling up in my eyes.
– I want to believe, Marta, but… you know. It's strange, there were never any girls in our family. Mom says you could… you know – he stopped, looking somewhere beyond me.
Those words were like a knife driven into my heart. I looked at him, the man I had given my whole life to, who had promised he would always support me. And now he was standing in front of me, questioning everything that connected us.
My mother-in-law, as if sensing that her doubts were gaining ground, began to openly accuse me. During one of our visits, she said directly:
– Marta, maybe it would be better if we explained everything. If you have nothing to hide, then you shouldn't be afraid. The truth will always come out.
I didn't know what to say. Everything in me screamed to run away, to end this absurdity, but I knew I couldn't. For my daughter, for our future, I had to face these accusations.
– If you want, do the test, – I finally said, with a stony expression on my face. – But know this: I am not the one who should be ashamed. It is you who are questioning my love and honesty.
The test was done. I waited for the results, feeling something inside me die. Will I be able to forgive Jakub for allowing his mother to interfere in our lives like this?? Will I be able to look him in the eye after all this??
The results came back after a few weeks. Of course, they confirmed what I had known from the beginning, – our daughter is his child. Jacob apologized, but his words rang hollow. My mother-in-law said nothing. She simply stopped talking about it, as if it had never happened.
But I know that something between us has been broken. The love I felt for my husband will never be the same. And my daughter, who deserves love and acceptance, is growing up in the shadow of doubts that should never have arisen.
Sometimes I look at her as she sleeps and wonder how I will ever explain to her why I had to prove that she was part of this family. And what hurts me most is the thought that she should never have felt unwanted in the place that was supposed to be her home.
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