In front of Bertille's workplace
Bertille!
Catherine? What are you doing here? How did you find out where I work?
You managed to find our address. You're not that hard to find either.
What do you want?
I want things to be clear between us. I'm not naïve. Marc is not your child's father. But given the doubt, yes, he's capable of a lot of things. Because he's a good guy.
So… the procedure, that came from you?
What procedure?
He didn't tell you anything? He wrote to a judge to request a paternity test. I thought the idea came from you.
No. That was his own initiative. Which clearly means he doesn't believe your story about the "drunk guy who forgets who he sleeps with."
What I believe most of all is that if he didn't tell you, it's because you're not really a couple. He hides things from you. You find out things about him you don't like. That's what I believe. My son's arrival in his life didn't cause the end of your relationship. It was just the trigger. He's going to break up with you soon, believe me.
He's already gone.
Just as I said. At the first opportunity, he leaves you. He didn't even try to find a solution with you. But if you need to see him… come to my place. He'll probably be there. You'll easily find the address, I suppose.
***********
Nicolas, it's Marc. How are you?
Marc! Great to hear from you. I heard you finally became a helicopter pilot. You achieved your dream—that's awesome!
Yeah… well. The dream, not really. It turned into a nightmare a little while ago.
Shit, what happened?
Do you remember your friend Bertille?
Bertille? Yeah, of course. Well, she was more Jerome's friend—he was really into her. We lost touch a while back; I think she went abroad, so no news. Why?
Because she showed up at my place a few weeks ago to tell me that her three-year-old son is mine.
Damn… that's a blow. Yeah, I get the nightmare.
Listen… apparently it would have happened at your country house, at that famous party where we really let loose before getting back to work.
Why "apparently"? You're not sure?
I have absolutely no memory of sleeping with that woman, if you see the problem. I know I was drunk, but that kind of thing—you don't just forget it… right?
Well, I'll admit it… that night… pfff… my head still hurts just thinking about it. So honestly, if I'd done something like that myself, I'm not sure I'd remember either.
Shit… I was hoping maybe you remembered something. I was never attracted to that woman.
No, I remember very clearly that for you, it was Catherine or no one.
Yeah. In the end, it was Catherine—and no one.
Is that what made you two break up?
Yes. I couldn't force a child on her… and between us, things were complicated too.
So… what are you going to do?
I'm waiting for the DNA test. Then we'll see.
How long does that take?
Several months. If it even goes through.
Yeah… but you can't stay like this without knowing. Either you miss out on your son… or you miss out on your life. It sucks.
Yeah, I know… but what else can I do?
What about going abroad, actually?
What do you mean?
I once saw a TV report about guys who bought DNA tests abroad. It's illegal, but it might be worth trying anyway, right?
Yeah… I'll look into it.
And call the other guys who were at the party. Maybe one of them remembers something.
*********
Three months later
What are you going to do? Are you out of your mind?!
I don't have a choice. Do you think this is fun for me?
But Marc… it's illegal. Do you realize what you're risking if you get caught? Your military career could end instantly if they find out.
Well there's no reason they should find out, okay? What other choice do I have? Tell me. I might be risking my career… but for months now, I haven't had a life anymore. And I've already lost Catherine.
Okay… I get it. But I'm worried about you.
I know. But I can't stay like this, waiting for a judge's answer that might very well be a refusal. And if I have to destroy my career, so be it. Right now, I'm ruining my life. And if I meet someone, she'll have to accept this child too. It's already hard enough to meet the right person, but if on top of that I force a kid on her… And if I do nothing, if I just accept what Bertille tells me, I'm taking the risk of taking care of a child who isn't mine. And of missing out on my life just because of the ravings of a madwoman.
Do you really think she's capable of lying to you?
I have no idea. But it's possible. You can't imagine the hell this blackout is putting me through. Sometimes I want to believe her… and sometimes I tell myself it's too much. She remembers I was in bad shape that night… and boom, I become the perfect father.
I'll admit the second hypothesis makes more sense to me. She always had a thing for you, but you never looked at her.
Next to Cathy, she doesn't stand a chance. Do you have any news?
From Cathy? Uh… yeah… from time to time…
How is she doing?
Marc… call her, please. It'll be easier.
No. I can't. As long as the situation isn't clarified or I don't have anything new to tell her… I won't call her. It hurts both of us, there's no point.
I tried to start paying the rent again… but she refused. I don't know how she's managing.
I don't know either…