Member-only story
Nonfiction
The Day I Learned My Aunt’s Marriage Wasn’t What It Seemed
Why Sometimes “Meddling” Does More Harm Than Good
I used to think my aunt and uncle were the perfect couple. They’d chosen to be childfree — seemingly free of any burdens — and lived a life that made me envious. My uncle, a successful businessman, supposedly brought in thirty million yuan a year, while my aunt ran a charming flower shop she adored. At every family gathering, they radiated the kind of sweetness that made me wonder if I’d ever find a love half as effortless.
Then came the weekend that changed everything. I needed some business contacts for work and figured my uncle, with his extensive network, could help. I dropped by their place without calling ahead, thinking I’d just catch him at home.
No one answered when I rang the doorbell. Just as I was about to leave, I heard a small voice from somewhere nearby. Turning around, I saw my uncle holding a little boy’s hand and standing beside a woman I didn’t recognize. The boy couldn’t have been older than five or six. They looked so natural together — sharing laughter, pointing at flowers — like a family out on a pleasant afternoon stroll.
My mind went blank. How could Uncle have a child when he and Auntie were supposedly DINK? A million…
