Daphné and Étienne had been married for two years. Their bond was strong, yet frequent friction arose from the strained relationship between Daphné and her motherinlaw.
Daphné was kind and giving, always eager to please, especially her new family. Despite her best attempts, she sensed a chilly distance from Renée.
Renée never voiced anything unpleasant directly, but her glances, tone, and insinuations left a lingering discomfort.
Each return home after seeing Renée became exhausting for Daphné.
Étienne, I feel your mother doesnt like me, she said worriedly.
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?
Those are just thoughts, Daphné
No! I told you about that conversation with your grandmother. She said I was useless and that she didnt love me, Daphné reminded him.
Youre not sure who she was referring to. Lets change the subject. How about we go to a movie tomorrow? Étienne suggested, trying to defuse the tension.
Still, Daphné remained uneasy about her doubts concerning Renée. She knew Renée disliked her family, even if she never said it outright.
Determined to get clarity, Daphné planned a covert test during her next visit. She bought a tiny recorder for school and slipped it unnoticed into 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 fetched it from where she had hidden it.
That evening, when Étienne arrived from work, she urged him to listen to the tape.
Please, listen to this, she pressed.
At first, only ordinary kitchen sounds were heard. Then Renées irritated voice emerged:
I cant believe my son chose this girl. She cant even cook! Let their family stay out of it, they cant even boil water!
Daphné switched off the device, casting a hopeful yet anxious glance at Étienne.
Do you hear now that I was right? she asked, tears welling up.
Étienne lowered his gaze, torn. He recognized his mother had overstepped, yet he was shocked that Daphné had eavesdropped on their conversation.
Mom can be blunt Maybe she was just speaking in the heat of the moment, he replied.
If thats how she talks, I wont stand for being belittled. If you dont defend me, we need to talk, Daphné said before leaving the room.
It was easy to decide but hard to act; Étienne finally grabbed his phone to call his mother later that night.
He explained the situation and asked for an apology.
She listened to our talks? Recorded us? Ill call the police! Renée erupted.
Mom, listen
Never again will this girl be in my house! she snapped before hanging up.
Determined to stop Renée from going further, Étienne rushed to her place to reason with her.
But Renée, resolute, 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.
