Daphné and Étienne had been married for two years. Their bond was strong, yet constant strain surfaced because of the uneasy relationship between Daphné and her motherinlaw.
Daphné was kind and generous, always eager to win over her new family. Despite her best efforts, she sensed a chilly distance from Renée.
Renée never voiced a harsh remark directly, but her glances, tone and insinuations kept Daphné uneasy.
Each time Daphné returned home after seeing Renée, the experience was wearing.
Étienne, I feel 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 raising us alone after my father died.
I hear you, but why do I always get the impression shes criticizing me behind my back?
Those are just thoughts, Daphné
No! I told you about that talk with your grandmother. She said I was incompetent and that she didnt love me, Daphné reminded him.
You might have misheard her. Lets change the subject. How about a movie tomorrow? Étienne suggested, trying to defuse the tension.
Even so, Daphné remained haunted by doubts about Renée. She knew Renée never liked her family, even if she never said it outright.
Determined to get clarity, Daphné decided to act during her next visit. She bought a small recorder for schoolwork and slipped it covertly into Renées kitchen.
After performing her usual chores and helping prepare dinner, she left, keeping the hidden plan for Étienne.
The following day she returned to her motherinlaws house under the pretense of assisting, but mainly to retrieve the device. Trembling, she fetched the recorder from where she had placed it.
That evening, when Étienne got home from work, Daphné asked him to listen to a recording.
Please, listen to this, she urged.
At first, only kitchen noises could be heard. Then Renées irritated voice emerged:
I cant believe my son chose this girl. She cant even cook! Lets not even talk about their familythey cant even boil water!
Daphné switched off the recorder, casting a hopeful yet anxious glance at Étienne.
Do you hear now that I was right? she said, tears welling up.
Étienne looked down, torn. He realized his mother had crossed a line, yet he was also shocked that Daphné had eavesdropped on their conversation.
Mom is blunt maybe she was just speaking in the heat of the moment, he finally replied.
If thats how she talks, I wont stand being put down. If you dont defend me, we need to talk, she warned before leaving the room.
It was easy to decide, hard to act. Later that night Étienne picked up his phone and called his mother.
He explained the incident and asked for an apology.
She listened to our conversations? Recorded us? Im calling the police! Renée exclaimed.
Mom, listen
No more of this girl in my house! she added before hanging up.
Determined to keep Renée from overstepping, Étienne rushed over to reason with her.
Renée, however, refused to open the door, choosing instead to manipulate Étienne against Daphné. He only saw her pulling away.
Étienne quickly recognized his mothers game and decided to limit his visits.
Stepdaughter Hides a Recorder at Her Mother-in-Law’s House to Eavesdrop on Conversations
