Emily hid a recorder in her mother-in-laws house to listen to her conversations.
James and Emily had been married for two years. They loved each other deeply, but tension grew between them because of Emilys strained relationship with her mother-in-law.
Emily was sweet and eager to please. She always went out of her way to win everyone over, especially her new family.
Despite her efforts, she could feel the coldness and distance from Margaret Cooper.
The older woman never openly criticised her, but sharp glances, cutting tones, and sly remarks made Emily feel like an outsider.
Every visit to Margarets house left Emily upset.
“James, Im certain your mother doesnt like me,” she confessed, her voice trembling.
Her husband sighed, closing the book hed been reading.
“Emily, not this again? Shes just reserved. You know how hard it was for her raising me alone after Dad passed.”
“Then why do I feel like she talks behind my back?”
“Youre imagining things, love”
“Im not! Remember what I overheard her saying to your grandmother? She called me clumsy and said she didnt approve!”
“You dont know they were talking about you. Lets drop it. Fancy catching a film tomorrow?”
But Emily wouldnt let it go. She knew Margaret looked down on her family, even if shed never admit it.
After another tense dinner, she decided to settle it.
On the next visit, she secretly brought a recorder.
Sneakily, she tucked it between towels in the kitchenthe same one shed bought months ago for university lectures.
She helped Margaret with dinner as usual, raising no suspicion.
That night, she stayed silent, keeping her secret.
The next day, she returned to her mother-in-laws under the pretence of helping and retrieved the device.
Finding it untouched, she played the recording for James that evening.
“Listen to this,” she said, holding it out.
“Where did you get a recorder?” he asked, confused.
“Just listen.”
First came household soundsrunning water, dishes clinking, small talk.
Then, Margarets sharp voice on the phone:
“I dont know what my son sees in her! She cant even make a proper roast! And her family? Their tea tastes like dishwater! Her mothers just as careless as she is!”
More insults about Emilys looks, manners, and background followed.
When it ended, Emily stared at James, eyes wet.
“Now do you believe me?”
James stayed silent, ashamed. He knew his mother was wrong, but he hated how Emily had gone about it.
“Shes just blunt Maybe she spoke in the heat of the moment.”
“Blunt?!” Emily cried. “You call it blunt to insult my family? If you wont stand up for me, we need to rethink this marriage!”
She stormed out in tears, leaving him stunned.
Hours later, he called his mother.
“You need to apologise to Emily.”
“She recorded me?!” Margaret shrieked. “Ill go to the police! And her universitytheyll throw that snake out!”
“Mum, stop!” James snapped. “Did you even hear what you said?”
“I meant every word! Shes banned from this house! And youtaking her side? Tomorrow, Ill make sure everyone knows!”
She hung up. James tried calling back, but she refused to answer.
He rushed to her house, but Margaret wouldnt open the door.
In the end, he chose to distance himself, realising her plan to drive them apart.
For weeks, he rarely visited, prioritizing his marriage.
Furious, Margaret banned Emily from her home and spread gossip among the neighbours.
But James no longer listened.
