But his voice was tense. He was clearly nervous. His hands were trembling. When I offered to take him to a doctor, he snapped:

— It’ll go away on its own. We don’t need anyone. Don’t worry about it.

But I couldn’t forget it. And just a few days later the truth revealed itself — far stranger than I expected.

That night I went to the kitchen to get some water. As I passed their bedroom, I heard voices.

— Please… it hurts… stop, leave me… — my father-in-law said almost pleadingly.

Then I heard my mother-in-law’s voice, angry and irritated:

— It’s your own fault. You deserve it!