Daphné and Étienne had been married for two years. Their bond was strong, yet friction often flared because of the strained rapport between Daphné and her motherinlaw.
Daphné was kind and generous, always eager to please, especially her new family. Despite her constant efforts, she sensed a chilly distance from Renée.
Renée never voiced anything outright rude, but her glances, tone and insinuations kept Daphné uneasy.
Every time Daphné returned home after seeing Renée, she felt drained.
Étienne, I get the feeling your mother doesnt like me, she said, worried.
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 always feel shes judging me behind my back?
Thats just your imagination, Daphné
No! I told you about that talk with your grandmother. She said I was incapable and that she didnt love me, Daphné reminded him.
Youre not sure who she meant. Lets change the subject. How about a movie tomorrow? Étienne suggested, trying to defuse the tension.
Still, Daphné remained uneasy about Renée. She knew Renée didnt like her family, though she never said it plainly.
Determined to get clarity, Daphné planned a secret test during her next visit. She bought a tiny recorder for school and concealed it in Renées kitchen.
After behaving as usual and helping prepare dinner, she left, keeping her plan hidden from Étienne.
The following day she returned under the pretense of helping, but mainly to retrieve the device. Trembling, she collected it from where shed hidden it.
That evening, when Étienne arrived home from work, she asked him to listen to the recording.
Please, listen to this, she urged.
At first the kitchens normal sounds filled the tape. Then Renées irritated voice emerged:
I cant believe my son chose this woman. She cant even cook! Lets not talk about their familythey cant even boil water!
Daphné switched off the recorder, casting a hopeful yet anxious glance at Étienne.
You hear that? I was right, she whispered, tears welling up.
Étienne stared down, conflicted. He realized his mother had crossed a line, yet he was also stunned that Daphné had been spying on her.
Mom can be blunt maybe she was just speaking in the heat of the moment, he muttered.
If thats how she talks, I wont stand for being put down. If you dont defend me, we need to talk, Daphné said 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 what had happened and asked for an apology.
She listened to our conversations? Recorded them? Im calling the police! Renée erupted.
Mom, listen
Never again will this girl be in my house! she snapped before ending the call.
Determined to stop Renée from going further, Étienne rushed to her place to reason with her.
But Renée, unwavering, refused to open the door. She tried to turn Étienne against Daphné, only succeeding in pushing him further away.
Étienne quickly saw his mothers manipulation and decided to limit his visits.
Stepdaughter Hides a Recorder at Her Stepmother’s to Eavesdrop on Their Conversations
