Olivia 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 kind and thoughtful, always striving to please everyone, especially her new family. Despite her efforts, she could feel the cold distance radiating from Margaret Price.
Her mother-in-law never openly criticised her, but sharp glances, cutting tones, and subtle remarks made Emily feel like an outsider. Every visit to Margarets home left her distressed.
“James, Im certain your mother doesnt like me,” she confessed one evening, her voice trembling.
Her husband sighed, setting aside 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.”
“I understand, but why do I feel like she criticises me behind my back?”
“Thats just your imagination, darling.”
“No! Remember what I overheard when she was speaking to your grandmother? She called me clumsy and said she didnt approve of me!”
“You dont know who she was talking about. Lets drop ithow about we go to the cinema tomorrow?”
But Emily couldnt let it go. She knew Margaret looked down on her family, even if shed never admit it.
After another tense dinner, she decided to uncover the truth. On her next visit, she secretly brought a recorder. Hidden among the kitchen towelssomething shed originally bought for university lecturesit captured every word.
She helped Margaret prepare dinner as usual, raising no suspicion. That night, she lay quietly in bed, clutching her secret.
The next day, she returned under the pretence of helping again and retrieved the recorder. Hands shaking, she played the recording for James that evening.
“Listen to this,” she said, holding out the device.
“What is it? A recorder?” James asked, confused.
“Just listen.”
At first, there were only domestic soundsrunning water, clinking cutlery, mundane chatter. Then, Margarets harsh voice rang out as she spoke on the phone:
“I dont know what James sees in her! She cant even make a proper roast! And her family? Their tea tastes like dishwater! Her mother is as careless as she is!”
The recording continued with criticisms of Emilys appearance, manners, and background. When it ended, Emily looked at James, her eyes glistening.
“Now do you believe me?”
James was silent, conflicted. He knew his mother was wrong, but he despised Emilys method.
“Shes always been blunt Maybe she spoke in the heat of the moment.”
“Blunt?” Emily cried. “You call that honesty? Humiliating my family? If you wont stand up for me, well need to rethink our marriage!”
She stormed out in tears, leaving him stunned.
Hours later, he called his mother.
“You need to apologise to Emily.”
“She recorded me in secret?” Margaret shrieked. “Ill report her to the policeand her university! That sneaky little”
“Mum, stop!” James interrupted. “Did you even hear what you said?”
“Of course I did! And Ill say moreshes never setting foot in this house again! And you, siding with that meddler? Ill settle this tomorrow!”
She hung up. James tried calling back, but she refused to answer. He rushed to her house, but she wouldnt open the door.
In the end, he chose to distance himself from her, realising shed been trying to drive a wedge between him and Emily.
In the following weeks, he visited Margaret rarely, prioritising peace at home. Furious, she barred Emily from her house and spread gossip among the neighbours. But James no longer listened.
**Sometimes, the truth hurtsbut holding onto bitterness hurts even more.**
