I left a voice recorder in my mother-in-law’s house — and what I heard shattered my world: this is what she said

I thought there was always something odd about my mother-in-law. Her smiles were too sweet, her compliments too forced, her subtle jabs too covered in worry. I tried to ignore it, though. The most important thing was my husband’s love. The rest we could live with.

Something, nonetheless, kept growing inside of me. suspicion. I kept getting the unshakeable impression that something was happening behind my back. One day, I brought a little voice recorder to my mother-in-law’s house for another “cozy” lunch, and I left it running in the corner of the room while pretending I had forgotten my scarf.

The next day, I returned the device and went back “for the scarf.” That evening, after my husband had fallen asleep, I listened to the recording.

Don’t worry, my dear; she won’t be here for long. I’ve already started adding a tiny bit, just enough to make her angry. He’ll kick her out himself soon. You know, he can’t stand hysteria.

I held my breath.

“The key is not to rush,” said the second voice. Someone you know.

“He’s always loved you more than anyone else,” my mother-in-law muttered. You are the one who should go with him. Besides, she is an error.

I turned the recording off. My heart was pounding.

The entire night was difficult for me to fall asleep. My recollections of periods when I was exhausted and excessively anxious started to coalesce into a terrifying picture.

But the worst part wasn’t the poison. The thing was the betrayal. My life was supposed to be ruined by those who called me family.

The next morning, I made breakfast. I kissed my husband. And when he was about to leave, I whispered:

Wait a moment. We have to talk.

He looked astonished and sat down. The recording was played for me.

The seconds appeared to go by interminably. His face shifted. Astonishment, pain, and incredulity. Then anger. But not at me.