Charlotte hid a recorder in her mother-in-laws house to eavesdrop on her conversations.
Oliver and Charlotte had been married for two years. They loved each other deeply, but tension brewed between them due to Charlotte’s strained relationship with his mother.
Charlotte was kind and eager to please, always going out of her way to win over her new family. Yet, no matter how hard she tried, she felt an icy distance from Evelyn Hartford.
Evelyn never criticised her outright, but sharp glances, clipped tones, and subtle remarks made Charlotte feel like an intruder. Every visit left her rattled.
“Oliver, Im certain your mother dislikes me,” she confessed, voice trembling.
He sighed, setting aside his book.
“Charlotte, not this again. Shes just reserved. You know how hard it was raising me alone after Dad passed.”
“I understand, but why do I feel like shes always judging me behind my back?”
“Youre imagining things, love.”
“No! Remember when she spoke to your gran? She called me clumsy and said I wasnt good enough!”
“You dont know who she meant. Lets drop itfancy the cinema tomorrow?”
But Charlotte wouldnt let it go. She knew Evelyn despised her family, though shed never admit it.
After another tense dinner, Charlotte decided to find out the truth.
On her next visit, she smuggled in a recorder. Sneaking into the kitchen, she hid it beneath a stack of tea towelsthe same one shed bought months ago for university lectures.
She helped Evelyn cook as usual, giving nothing away. That night, she lay silent, clutching her secret.
The next day, she returned under pretence of helping and retrieved the recorder. Hands shaking, she played it for Oliver that evening.
“Listen to this,” she said, holding the device.
“What is it? A recorder?” Oliver frowned.
“Just listen.”
First, mundane sounds: running water, clinking cutlery, idle chatter.
Then, Evelyns sharp voice on the phone:
“I dont know what my son sees in her! Cant even make a proper roast! And her family? Their tea tastes like dishwater! Her mothers as careless as she is!”
The recording spilled more venomcriticising Charlottes looks, manners, roots.
When it ended, Charlotte stared at Oliver, eyes glistening.
“See? I was right.”
Oliver stayed silent, torn. His mother was wrong, but he hated Charlottes method.
“Shes always been blunt Maybe she spoke in the heat of the moment.”
“Blunt?!” Charlotte cried. “You call humiliation blunt? If you wont defend me, were done!”
She stormed out in tears, leaving him stunned.
Hours later, he called his mother.
“You need to apologise to Charlotte.”
“She recorded me?!” Evelyn shrieked. “Ill call the police! Have that snake expelled from uni!”
“Mum, stop!” Oliver cut in. “Did you even hear yourself?”
“I did! And mark my wordsshes banned from this house! And you, siding with that meddler? Well settle this tomorrow!”
She hung up. Oliver tried calling back, but she refused to answer.
He rushed to her house, but Evelyn wouldnt open the door.
Realising her plan to drive them apart, he chose Charlotte over her.
In the weeks that followed, he visited Evelyn rarely, prioritising peace at home.
Furious, Evelyn barred Charlotte from her house and gossiped to the neighbours.
But Oliver no longer listened.
