My son died in a car accident at nineteen. Five years later, a little boy with the same birthmark under his left eye entered my class.

When the past knocks on the classroom door

That Monday seemed ordinary. Schoolbags were being opened in a joyful disorder when the headmaster entered with a new student: Hugo, green raincoat clutched tightly to him, looking shy.

Emilie leaned over to welcome her. And she saw her.

Under his left eye, the same birthmark as Nathan.

Her heart skipped a beat. She gripped her desk, feigning a momentary lapse of attention when a few glue sticks fell. In front of the whole class, she couldn’t let her emotions overwhelm her.

An unexpected truth, full of hope

At the end of the day, Hugo rushed into his mother’s arms. Émilie looked up… and recognized Manon, Nathan’s ex-girlfriend.