Tiago and Inês had been married for two years. Their love was deep, yet the strain between them grew because of Inêss relationship with her motherinlaw.
Inês was kind and helpful, always trying to please everyone, especially the new relatives. Despite her efforts, she felt the chill and distance emanating from Margarida Oliveira.
Margarida never voiced open criticism, but her piercing looks, sharp tones and subtle remarks made Inês feel like an intruder. Every visit to Margaridas house ended with the young woman distressed.
Tiago, Im sure your mother doesnt like me, she would confess, her voice trembling.
Tiago would sigh, closing the book in his hands:
Inês, its happening again? Shes just reserved. You know how hard it was for me to raise myself after my father died.
I get that, but why do I feel shes speaking against me behind my back?
Its just your imagination, love
No! I told you what I overheard when she was talking to your grandmother. She called me clumsy and said I didnt please her!
Youre not sure who they were talking about. Lets change the subject. How about a movie tomorrow?
Inês, however, wouldnt accept it. She knew her motherinlaw despised her family, even if she never admitted it.
After another tense dinner, she decided to get to the bottom of it. On her next visit she slipped a recorder into the house, hiding the device among kitchen towels. She had bought it months earlier to record university lectures.
She helped Margarida prepare the meal as usual, without raising suspicion, then retreated silently, keeping the secret to herself.
The following day she returned under the pretense of helping, retrieved the recorder, and found it intact. Shaking, she played the tape for Tiago that evening.
Listen to this, she said, holding the gadget.
Whats that? A recorder? Tiago asked, puzzled.
Just listen.
First came ordinary household noises: running water, clinking cutlery, casual chatter. Then Margaridas hoarse voice came through a phone call:
I dont understand what my son saw in her! He cant even make a proper cod dish! And the family? Their tea tastes like dishwashing water! Her mother is as careless as the daughter
The rant continued with attacks on Inêss looks, manners and background.
When the recording stopped, Inês stared at Tiago, eyes watery:
Now you see I was right, dont you?
Tiago fell silent, embarrassed. He knew his mother had been wrong, but he despised the way his wife had obtained proof.
Shes always been blunt maybe she said it in the heat of the moment, he murmured.
Blunt? You call it humiliating my family! If you wont defend me, well have to rethink this marriage! Inês exploded, then left in tears, leaving him stunned.
Hours later Tiago called his mother:
You need to apologise to Inês.
What? She recorded me without my knowledge?! Margarida shouted. Im calling the police! Ill have the university expel that snake!
Mother, stop! Tiago interrupted. Did you hear what you said?
I heard! And Im saying this: shes never coming back! And you, traitor, are backing this intruder! Tomorrow Ill settle everything! She hung up. Tiago tried to call back, but the line was dead.
He rushed to her house, but Margarida refused to open the door.
Realising her plan was to push him away from Inês, Tiago began to distance himself from his mother. In the weeks that followed he visited her only sparingly, focusing on keeping peace at home.
Infuriated, Margarida limited herself to banning the daughterinlaw from her house and spreading gossip among the neighbours. Tiago, however, no longer paid any heed.
