Chapter 2 - The Mother-in-Law Arrives
The next morning, the doorbell rang exactly at 11:30 AM. Eleanor was predictably early, eager to inspect her handiwork.
I took a deep breath, smoothed down my pristine white blouse, and plastered on a flawless, Stepford-wife smile. I unlocked the front door and pulled it open.
Eleanor stood on the porch holding a baked casserole, wearing a tailored tweed suit and a smug, expectant expression. Her eyes immediately darted to my face, scanning my cheekbones and jawline for the bruises she had ordered her son to leave. When she found my skin perfectly unblemished, a flicker of confusion crossed her features, quickly masked by a tight smile.
"Maya, darling!" she cooed, stepping inside without waiting for an invitation. "I brought lunch. David told me he had a very stressful night last night. Where is my boy? Is he at the office?"
"He's around," I said casually, taking the casserole dish from her hands. "He had a bit of a rough morning, but he’s resting. Please, come into the dining room."
Eleanor’s eyes narrowed as she surveyed the spotless kitchen. I had set the dining table perfectly—crystal glasses, polished silverware, and linen napkins. Hidden discreetly behind a bouquet of lilies on the buffet table, and tucked onto the top shelf of the open bookcase, were two high-definition, motion-activated cameras.
"I must say, I'm surprised to see you in such high spirits," Eleanor remarked, taking a seat at the head of the table—a deliberate power play. "David mentioned you two had a disagreement about finances. He was quite upset. I told him he needed to be firm with you. A marriage only works when the man leads, and the woman follows."
I poured her a glass of iced tea, leaning in close. "You know, Eleanor, I’ve been doing a lot of thinking about what David said last night. About how a wife needs to surrender her accounts and learn her place."
May you like
Eleanor smiled, taking a sip of her tea. She thought she had won. "I’m glad you’re finally seeing reason, Maya. It’s for your own good. Modern women are far too independent. It ruins the natural order."
I sat across from her, turning my phone face-down on the table. The voice recorder was already running. "Tell me more about this natural order, Eleanor. I want to make sure I get it exactly right."
