Emily and James had been married for two years. They loved each other deeply, but there was often tension due to Emily’s relationship with her mother-in-law.
Emily was sweet and kind and always tried to please everyone, especially her new family.
However, despite her efforts, Emily felt a chill and distance from Patricia.
Her mother-in-law never said anything outright, but the looks, tone, and subtle hints made Emily feel unwelcome.
Each time they returned from Patricia’s, Emily was upset.
“James, I feel like your mother doesn’t like me,” Emily said anxiously to her husband.
James would sigh, put aside his book, and grumble, “You’re imagining things again. Mum respects you; she’s just reserved. You know how hard it was for her to raise us alone after Dad died.”
“I get that she had a tough time, but why do I always feel like she’s criticizing me behind my back?”
“You’re seeing things, Emily…”
“No! I told you I overheard a conversation between Patricia and your gran. She said I’m clueless and she wasn’t fond of me,” Emily reminded him.
“You don’t know who she was really talking about. Let’s change the subject. How about we go to the cinema tomorrow and catch a new release?”
But Emily couldn’t just brush off her doubts. She knew that Patricia disliked her family, although she never said it openly.
After another visit to James’s parents, Emily decided she needed to clear her doubts.
Next time she planned to visit her mother-in-law with a tape recorder.
Emily discreetly slipped into the kitchen and hid the small recorder she had bought for lectures among the tea towels.
Afterwards, she tried to act normally, helping Patricia prepare dinner.
When they returned home, Emily went to bed in silence, not telling James about her plan.
The next day, she returned to Patricia’s, supposedly to help around the house, but in reality, she intended to retrieve the recorder.
Emily found it exactly where she’d left it and, shaking with nervousness, returned home.
That evening, when James came back from work, Emily approached him mysteriously.
“James, let’s listen to something,” she said, clutching the recorder.
“What’s that? A recorder? What’s on it?” he asked, surprised.
“Just listen, please,” she insisted, as she pressed play.
Initially, they heard typical kitchen noises: water running, dishes clinking, and talks about the weather.
Then Patricia’s agitated voice came through. It was clear she was on a call.
Her voice became even louder and sharper once the other person responded.
“I can’t understand how my son married her! She has no idea how to cook!” she started indignantly. “I mean, where does she even come from? They can’t even make a decent cup of tea! Her mother is no better, just like her daughter…”
There were further hurtful comments about Emily’s appearance, manners, and family.
Patricia then casually ended the call and turned on the television.
Emily switched off the recording. Looking at James with both hope and fear, she asked, “Now do you see I was right?”
James remained silent, eyes cast down in embarrassment. He felt at a loss.
On one hand, he acknowledged that his mother had acted inappropriately, but on the other, he found it hard to accept that Emily had eavesdropped on his mother’s conversation.
“Mum has always been straightforward,” he finally said, lifting his gaze to his wife. “Maybe she didn’t mean it…”
“Didn’t mean it?! She insulted my family and me! Some excuse!” exclaimed Emily, feeling betrayed.
“Maybe she’s just under pressure… Let’s try to talk to her calmly.”
“No, James! I won’t endure this any longer! If you can’t stand up for me, we need to reconsider our relationship!” Emily said vehemently, leaving James with heavy thoughts.
He knew the situation demanded immediate action but didn’t know how to address it.
Later that evening, with feelings calmed slightly, James decided to call his mum.
He explained to Patricia what had happened and asked her to apologize to Emily.
“Mum, you went too far…”
“She was eavesdropping? Recorded me? Who allowed her?! I’ll go to the police and have her arrested for invading my privacy!” Patricia cried. “And you expect me to apologize to her? She should be begging for forgiveness!”
“Mum, stop!” James interrupted her tirade. “Do you even hear yourself?”
“I hear you loud and clear! She’s not welcome here anymore! I’ll check in case she’s planted recorders everywhere. Can’t say a word in my own home!” Patricia sobbed. “And you’re taking her side instead of defending me! I’ll demand the university expels her!”
“Don’t you dare!” James shouted, alarmed at how far his mother had gone.
“Don’t tell me what to do!” Patricia retorted, hanging up the call.
James called several more times, but she didn’t answer.
Worried about what Patricia might do, he went to her house to convince her not to embarrass Emily.
But Patricia didn’t open the door, anticipating what the conversation would entail.
Once she calmed down, she decided against any drastic measures but continued to exclude Emily and turn James against her.
James quickly saw through her plan and started visiting less often.
