One afternoon, my husband returned from his mothers house, let out a sigh and suggested a paternity test for our twoyearold daughter: not for me, but for his mother.
About six months before we married, my motherinlaw kept telling her son, Dont marry her, she doesnt deserve you! says Mariana, thirty, her voice trembling with hurt. Shes too beautiful, shell go off with someone else! We used to laugh and joke that Diogo must have chosen a mermaid, so there would be no mistake. But now we cant bring ourselves to laugh. Not at all.
Mariana doesnt see herself as a stunning beauty. Shes an ordinary girl from the outskirts of Porto, caring for herself like many others. Slender, wellkept, modestly dressed, she has always been demanding in relationships and has managed to earn respect. Why her motherinlaw, Dona Guilhermina, decided that Mariana was frivolous and unfaithful remains a mystery, yet that woman turned the daughterinlaws life into a nightmare.
They have been married for four years and have a daughter. Mariana is on maternity leave, her days a relentless cycle of cooking, cleaning and changing diapers. The only people she talks to are other mothers at the playground. Her motherinlaw, however, never rests. Convinced that Mariana is cheating, she watches her like a cheapsoapopera detective.
Shes always been spying on me! Mariana sighs, tears welling up. She called, checked, showed up unannounced, tried to control my every move. At first I tried to brush it off, told Diogo and we laughed. But its exhausting! Ive lost patience many times, weve had ugly fights. She calms down for a bit, then starts again even stronger.
The first scandal erupted a few months after the wedding. Dona Guilhermina suddenly appeared at Marianas workplace, unannounced and without reason. She wanted to verify: was her daughterinlaw really working there, or lying to her husband about being in the office while seeing lovers?
I still dont know how they let her in! Mariana recalls, voice shaking with indignation. The building has security; visitors must be scheduled. I almost fell backward when the secretary brought her to me: You have a visitor. I asked, Dona Guilhermina, what are you doing here? She replied, I came to see where you work, looking around as if everything were a secret. The office is openplan, everyone at their computers, everything in plain sight. I cant imagine what shed do if I had my own office.
Later, the secretary, Catarina, admitted that the woman had bombarded her with questions. How long had Mariana been there? Was she late? Who did she talk to? Was there anyone special in the office? She said she was married, that she had a husband! Catarina added, bewildered. Mariana was furious. At home she vented to Diogo: Your mother crossed every line! Talk to her, this isnt normal! She didnt just peek under the desk looking for a lover who knows what she might have done!
Family games
Diogo seemed to have a serious talk with his mother. A truce appeared. Dona Guilhermina only called at night, asked how things were going and sent homemade cakes. Mariana began to think the storm had passed. She was wrong.
The next episode happened while Mariana was pregnant but still working. With a cold, she took sick leave and stayed home with her phone off. Suddenly there were violent knocks on the door and the doorbell rang incessantly. I got up thinking it was a fire or an emergency! she recalls. I looked through the peephole and it was my motherinlaw, her face twisted, pounding on the door with her foot and ringing the bell. I was scared to open, so I called Diogo: Come quick, I dont know whats happening! He arrived in twenty minutes, and she had been standing there the whole time, waiting for me!
Both of them scolded Dona Guilhermina. Mariana threatened to call the police and a psychiatrist if it happened again. Keep her away from me! she demanded of her husband. And once again calm returned.
Mariana gave birth to a girl, but her motherinlaw never even looked at the granddaughter. Later the reason became clear. She didnt believe the child was hers. Sure, Im out and about, how could the child be Diogos? Mariana said bitterly. In Diogos family, only boys were ever born. A girl, in Dona Guilherminas logic, proved infidelity. I ignored that madness, says Mariana. I dont talk to her. Diogo visits her once a month, but without us. Maybe thats for the best. I would never trust her with my daughter.
Then the worst proposal came. One afternoon Diogo returned from his mothers house, took a deep breath, hesitated and suggested a paternity test on the daughter. Not because of me, Mariana, listen! he protested, waving his hands. I have no doubts. Its for my mother! I want her to calm down once and for all. Shes gone crazy, and I keep hearing this!
Mariana laughed, a bitter laugh. For your mother? she repeated, voice shaking with anger. You might as well admit you believed her! You know shell never stop. Well do three tests at different clinics and shell claim the doctors are bribed and the results fake! I wont dance to her tune any longer, thats over!
It costs nothing to do the test Diogo insisted.
Why? Mariana stared at him, tears held back. I know who the father is. And you? If you need the test, lets do it. But first, we file for divorce. I cant live with a man who doesnt trust me!
Her words hung in the air like a verdict. The familys trust cracked, all because of a motherinlaw whose suspicions poisoned their lives. Mariana stands on the brink, unsure how to rescue her family from this madness.
One Day, My Husband Came Home from His Mother’s, Sighed, and Suggested We Take a Paternity Test for Our Two-Year-Old Daughter: Not for Me, But for Her Mother
