Daphné and Étienne had been married for two years. Their bond was strong, yet tension often flared because of the strained relationship between Daphné and her motherinlaw.
Daphná was kind and generous, always eager to please, especially her new family. Despite all her efforts, she sensed a cold distance from Renée.
Renée never said anything outright offensive, but her glances, tone and insinuations kept Daphné on edge.
Every trip back to Renées house left Daphné feeling exhausted.
Étienne, I feel like your mother doesnt like me, she said worriedly.
Étienne sighed, 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 constantly feel shes criticizing me behind my back?
Its just your imagination, 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 meant. Lets change the subject. How about we go see a movie tomorrow? Étienne suggested, trying to defuse the tension.
Still, Daphné remained uneasy about Renée. She knew Renée disliked her family, even if she never voiced it.
Determined to get clarity, Daphné planned a test during her next visit. She bought a small recorder for her studies and hid it discreetly in Renées kitchen.
After behaving as usual and helping prepare dinner, she returned home, keeping the secret plan for Étienne.
The following day she went back to her motherinlaws house under the pretense of helping, but mainly to retrieve the recorder. Trembling, she retrieved it from where she had left it.
That evening, when Étienne came home from work, she urged him to listen to the tape.
Please, listen to this, she pleaded.
At first the recording captured ordinary kitchen sounds. Then Renées irritated voice emerged:
I cant believe my son chose this girl. She cant even cook! Their family is useless; they cant even boil water!
Daphné turned off the device, looking at Étienne with a mix of hope and anxiety.
You hear that? I was right, she whispered, tears in her eyes.
Étienne stared downward, torn. He understood his mother had overstepped, yet he was shocked that Daphné had eavesdropped on their conversation.
Mom is blunt maybe she was just speaking in the heat of the moment, he said finally.
If thats how she talks, I wont stand for the insults. 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 called his mother.
He explained what had happened and asked for an apology.
She listened to our conversations? Recorded us? Im calling the police! Renée fumed.
Mom, listen
Never let that girl in my house again! she snapped, ending the call.
Determined to stop Renée from going any further, Étienne rushed to her home to reason with her.
Renée, however, refused to open the door, trying instead to turn Étienne against Daphné. Her attempts only pushed him further away.
Realizing his mothers manipulation, Étienne decided to limit his visits.
Stepdaughter Hides a Recorder at Her Mother-in-Law’s to Eavesdrop on Her Conversations
