Beth had been married to James for two years, and though their love was strong, tensions often flared due to the strained relationship between Beth and her mother-in-law, Margaret.
Beth was sweet and good-natured, always striving to please those around her, particularly her new family members.
However, despite her efforts, Beth felt a sense of coolness and detachment from Margaret.
Margaret never said anything overtly hurtful to Beth’s face, but the woman’s looks, tone, and subtle hints made Beth feel unwelcome.
After each visit to Margaret’s, Beth would return home feeling upset.
“James, I don’t think your mother likes me,” she confided anxiously to her husband.
In response, James would sigh, put down his book, and grumble, “You’re overthinking it again. Mum respects you; she’s just a reserved person. You know it wasn’t easy for her raising us after Dad passed away.”
“I understand, but why does it feel like she’s always criticizing me behind my back?” Beth questioned.
“You’re imagining things, Beth.”
“No! I told you I overheard Margaret talking to your grandmother. She said I was useless and that she didn’t like me,” Beth reminded him.
“You’re not certain who she was talking about. Let’s discuss something pleasant instead. Why not catch a movie tomorrow? There’s a great new release out,” James suggested, changing the topic.
However, Beth couldn’t shake off her doubts. She was convinced that Margaret didn’t like her family, even though she’d never openly said so.
After another visit to his parents, Beth decided she’d had enough of her suspicions.
The next time they visited, she planned to discreetly take a voice recorder with her.
Beth quietly slipped into the kitchen and hid her small recorder among the tea towels—a device she’d bought months earlier for university lectures.
Afterward, she acted as usual, helping Margaret prepare dinner.
Upon returning home, Beth went to bed silently, not revealing her plan to James.
The following day, she went back to Margaret’s house under the guise of helping out, but her real intention was to retrieve the recorder.
She found it exactly where she’d left it. Trembling with nervous anticipation, she returned home.
That evening, when James came back from work, Beth approached him with a mysterious air.
“James, let’s listen to something,” she said, holding the recorder tightly.
“What is it?” James asked, surprised, as he took off his coat. “A recorder? What’s on it?”
“Just listen, please,” she urged, pressing play.
Initially, the recording captured the mundane sounds of the kitchen—water running, dishes clinking, small talk about the weather.
Then came Margaret’s irritated voice, revealing she was on a call.
Once the person on the other end responded, Margaret’s voice grew louder and harsher.
“I can’t calm down. What was my son thinking when he married her? She can’t cook to save her life!” she exclaimed. “And where did she even come from? Her family can’t even boil a kettle properly! Her mother seems just as competent as she is. The whole family’s like that…”
Margaret’s words turned into more derogatory comments about Beth’s appearance, manners, and family.
After ending the call, Margaret pleasantly said goodbye and turned on the TV.
Beth stopped the recording there, looking at James with a mix of hope and fear.
“Now do you see that I was right?” she asked, trying to hold back tears.
James was silent, his eyes cast downward in embarrassment and confusion.
On one hand, he understood his mother had crossed a line, but on the other, he struggled with the fact that Beth had resorted to secretly recording conversations.
“Mum’s always been blunt,” he finally said, meeting Beth’s gaze. “Maybe she just said it out of stress…”
“Stress?!” Beth exclaimed, feeling betrayed. “She’s stressed to the point of insulting my family and me? That’s quite an excuse you’ve made for her!”
“Maybe she’s just tense. Let’s try to talk it out calmly with her.”
“No, James! I refuse to endure these insults any longer! If you can’t stand up for me, then we need to rethink our relationship!” With that, Beth stormed out, leaving James stewing in his heavy thoughts.
He realized the situation needed urgent attention but wasn’t sure how to handle it.
Later that evening, after the tension eased somewhat, James decided to call his mother.
He explained the situation to Margaret, urging her to apologize to Beth for her hurtful words.
“Mum, this isn’t right… You’ve taken it too far.”
“She eavesdropped on me? Recorded me? How dare she? Who gave her the right?! I’ll report her to the police for invading my privacy!” Margaret fumed. “And you expect me to apologize to her afterward? She should be the one begging for my forgiveness!”
“Mum, stop right there!” James cut into her rant sharply. “Do you hear yourself right now?”
“I hear you perfectly! Make sure that girl never sets foot in my house again! Understand? I’ll check everywhere for recorders. Can’t say a word in my own home anymore!” Margaret wept. “And you, siding with her instead of protecting your mother! I’ll go to the university tomorrow to demand her expulsion!”
“Don’t you dare!” James shouted, realizing his mother had gone too far.
“I don’t need your permission!” Margaret sneered and hung up.
James tried several times to reach his mother again, but to no avail.
Fearing she might do something drastic, he went to her house to talk her out of any rash actions and to protect Beth’s reputation.
Margaret, however, anticipated the conversation and refused to open the door.
When she finally calmed down, she decided not to act rashly, choosing instead to bar Beth from her home and manipulate James against her.
James quickly saw through her plan and began visiting his parents less frequently.
