Bellefille hides a recorder at her motherinlaws house to catch their conversations
Daphné and Étienne had been married for two years. Their love was strong, yet frequent tension arose from the strained relationship between Daphné and her motherinlaw.
Daphné was gentle and generous, always eager to please, especially her new family. Despite all her efforts, she sensed a cold distance from Renée.
Renée never dared to say something nasty to her face, but her glances, tone and insinuations kept an uneasy atmosphere alive.
Each time Daphné returned home after seeing Renée, the experience was exhausting.
Étienne, I feel 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?
Those are 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 referring to. Lets change the subject. How about a movie tomorrow? Étienne suggested, trying to defuse the tension.
Even so, Daphné remained preoccupied with doubts about Renée. She knew Renée disliked her family, even if she never voiced it outright.
Determined to get answers, Daphné planned a visit. She bought a small recorder for her studies and hid it discreetly in Renées kitchen.
After acting as usual and helping prepare dinner, she went back home, keeping her plan secret from Étienne.
The next day she returned to her motherinlaws under the pretense of helping, but mainly to retrieve the recorder. Trembling with nerves, she fetched it from where she had left it.
That evening, when Étienne came home from work, she asked him to listen to a recording.
Please, listen to this, she urged.
At first, the kitchens normal sounds could be heard. Then Renées irritated voice emerged:
I cant believe my son chose this girl. She cant even cook! Her family? Forget it, they cant even boil water!
Daphné turned off the device, casting a hopeful yet anxious glance at Étienne.
Do you hear now that I was right? she whispered, tears welling up.
Étienne, stunned, stared downward. He understood his mother had crossed a line, yet he was also shocked that Daphné had eavesdropped on their conversation.
Mother is blunt maybe she just spoke in the heat of the moment, he finally said.
If thats how she talks, I wont stand being put down any longer. If you dont defend me, we need to talk, Daphné declared before leaving the room.
It was easy to decide, hard to act. Étienne eventually grabbed his phone and called his mother later that night. He explained the situation and asked for an apology.
She listened to our talks? Recorded our conversations? Im calling the police! Renée erupted.
Mom, listen
Never have that girl in my house again! she added before hanging up.
Determined to stop Renée from going further, Étienne rushed to her place to reason with her.
Renée, however, refused to open the door, choosing instead to manipulate Étienne against Daphné. Her tactics only pushed him further away.
Realizing his mothers game, Étienne decided to limit his visits.
Stepdaughter Hides Recorder at Her Stepmother’s House to Eavesdrop on Her Secrets
