Daphné and Étienne had been married for two years. Their bond was strong, yet frequent friction arose from the strained relationship between Daphné and her motherinlaw.
Gentle and giving, Daphné constantly tried to win over her new family. Despite her efforts, she sensed a cold distance from Renée.
Renée never voiced anything outright, but her glances, tone and insinuations kept an uneasy atmosphere alive.
Every time Daphné returned home after seeing Renée, it left her exhausted.
Étienne, I feel like your mother doesnt like me, she said, visibly worried.
Étienne sighed and set his book down.
Youre reading too much into it. My mother respects you; shes just reserved. You know how hard she struggled to raise us alone after my father died.
I hear you, but why do I keep thinking shes criticizing me behind my back?
Its just your thoughts, Daphné
No! I told you about that conversation with your grandmother. She said I was incompetent and that she didnt love me, Daphné reminded him.
Youre not sure who she was talking about. Lets change the subject. How about we go to a movie tomorrow? Étienne suggested, trying to defuse the tension.
Nevertheless, Daphné remained uneasy about Renée. She knew Renée disliked her family, even if she never said it outright.
Determined to get clarity, Daphné planned a covert test during her next visit. She bought a tiny recorder for school work and slipped it into Renées kitchen unnoticed.
After helping prepare dinner as usual, she returned home, keeping the scheme secret from Étienne.
The following day she went back to her motherinlaws house under the pretext of assisting, but mainly to retrieve the recorder. Trembling, she fetched it from where she had hidden it.
That evening, when Étienne arrived from work, Daphné asked him to listen to a recording.
Please, listen to this, she urged.
At first, ordinary kitchen noises filled the tape. Then Renées irritated voice emerged:
I cant believe my son chose this girl. She cant even cook! As for their family, lets not even talk about itthey cant even boil water!
Daphné switched off the device, casting a hopeful yet anxious look at Étienne.
You hear that? I was right, she whispered, tears welling up.
Étienne stared down, torn. He recognized his mother had crossed a line, yet he was shocked by Daphnés spying.
Mom is blunt Maybe she just said that in the heat of the moment, he finally said.
If thats how she talks, I wont stand for being belittled. If you dont defend me, we need to talk, Daphné declared before leaving the room.
It was easy to decide but hard to act. Later that night Étienne picked up his phone and called Renée.
He explained what had happened and asked for an apology.
What, she listened to our conversations? Recorded us? Ill call the police! Renée erupted.
Mom, listen
Never again will that girl be in my house! she snapped before ending the call.
Determined to stop Renée from overstepping, Étienne rushed over to reason with her. Renée, however, refused to open the door, choosing instead to manipulate Étienne against Daphné. The tactic only pushed him further away.
Realizing his mothers game, Étienne decided to limit his visits.
Stepdaughter Conceals a Recorder at Her Mother-in-Law’s to Eavesdrop on Conversations
