When Antoine proposed, I was overjoyed. Visiting his parents in their French countryside home was supposed to be a delightful step in our journey. However, what unfolded was far from expected.

Upon arriving at their charming rural home, I was enchanted by the picturesque setting. Pierre and Marie, Antoine’s parents, welcomed us warmly. Marie’s hug was affectionate, and Pierre’s handshake was firm but friendly. Their home, with its beautiful gardens and cozy interiors, made me feel at ease.

Dinner was a delight, with scrumptious French dishes and engaging conversation. Pierre and Marie switched effortlessly between French and English, making me feel included. Antoine excused himself to use the restroom, and that’s when things took a turn.

As soon as Antoine left, Pierre and Marie began speaking in French, assuming I wouldn’t understand. I caught snippets of their conversation: “Elle est gentille, mais je ne suis pas sûr qu’elle soit la bonne pour Antoine” (She’s nice, but I’m not sure she’s right for Antoine) and “Nous devons nous assurer qu’elle ne découvre pas notre secret” (We need to make sure she doesn’t find out our secret).

My heart raced as I heard them discuss something hidden under Antoine’s childhood bed. Panicked, I told Antoine to check under his bed when he returned.

He went upstairs, and I suddenly felt dizzy and faint. I collapsed and woke up in a hospital bed, with Antoine by my side. “You fainted,” he explained. “I checked under the bed as you suggested and found a wooden box.”

The box contained old letters, photos, and a journal revealing that Marie wasn’t Antoine’s biological mother. After an affair with Antoine’s father, she chose to raise him to protect their family’s reputation. The journal also mentioned a significant inheritance from Antoine’s biological mother, which Pierre and Marie had been trying to claim for themselves.

Stunned, I asked, “What will you do?”

Antoine sighed, “I need to confront them, but I want to be careful. I’ll consult a lawyer and keep a close eye on their actions.”

I squeezed his hand. “We’ll face this together.”

We spent the next few days making plans, deciding to keep the secret while observing Pierre and Marie. We knew that our love and unity would help us navigate the challenges ahead.

As we left the hospital, Antoine and I shared a determined smile. “No matter what happens, we’ve got this,” I said.

He nodded. “Indeed, we do. Together.”

With renewed resolve, we faced the uncertain future, confident that our bond would see us through.