Daphné and Étienne had been married for two years. Their bond was strong, yet frequent strains appeared because of the uneasy relationship between Daphné and her motherinlaw.
Daphné was kind and generous, always eager to win over her new family. In spite of her constant efforts, she sensed a certain chill and distance coming from Renée.
The motherinlaw never dared to say anything offensive to her face, but her looks, tone and insinuations kept a lingering discomfort alive.
Every return home after seeing Renée became painful for Daphné.
Étienne, I feel like your mother doesnt like me, she said, worried.
Étienne sighed, setting 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 constantly feel shes criticizing me behind my back?
Thats just your thoughts, Daphné
No! I told you about that conversation with your grandmother. She said I was incapable 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 ease the tension.
Nevertheless, Daphné remained uneasy about her doubts concerning the motherinlaw. She knew Renée didnt like her family, even if she never said it outright.
Determined to get clarity, Daphné planned to act during her next visit. She bought a tiny recorder for schoolwork and hid it discreetly in Renées kitchen.
After going through the usual routine and helping prepare dinner, she left for home, keeping her secret plan for Étienne.
The next day she returned to her motherinlaws house under the pretext of helping, but mainly to retrieve the recorder. Trembling with nerves, she fetched it from the spot where shed left it.
That evening, when Étienne came back from work, she offered to play the recording.
Listen to this, please, she urged.
At first the ordinary kitchen noises could be heard. Then Renées irritated voice cut through:
I cant believe my son chose this girl. She cant even cook! As for their family, lets not even mention themthey cant even boil water!
Daphné turned the device off, looking at Étienne with a mix of hope and anxiety.
You hear that I was right? she asked, tears in her eyes.
Étienne kept his gaze lowered, torn. He recognized that his mother had crossed a line, yet he was also shocked that Daphné had eavesdropped on their conversation.
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 put down. If you dont defend me, we need to talk about this, Daphné declared before leaving the room.
It was easy to decide but hard to act, so Étienne eventually grabbed his phone and called his mother later that night.
He explained what had happened and asked for an apology.
She listened to our talks? Recorded our conversations? Im calling the police! Renée erupted.
Mom, listen
Never again will that girl be in my house! she retorted, hanging up.
Determined to stop Renée from going any further, Étienne rushed to her place to reason with her.
But Renée, firm in her stance, refused to open the door. She tried to turn Étienne against Daphné, only to see him pull away.
Étienne quickly saw his mothers game and decided to limit his visits.
Stepdaughter Disguises a Recorder at Her Stepmother’s Home to Eavesdrop on Conversations
