“I’m fine, thanks,” I smiled, totally mesmerized by my son’s choice. “You look wonderful, Layla!”
At that moment, I had no clue how this woman would soon come into our lives and pull my son away from me. She seemed so nice; I never would have guessed just how cunning she really was.
Toby and Layla tied the knot just six months after our first meeting. I was so happy for my son as he started a new chapter of his life, and my heart was full of good wishes for him. I remember how I couldn’t stop weeping when my boy said his vows like a grown-up man.
Not long after the wedding, Toby and Layla invited me over to their place for lunch. I thought it would be a nice bonding session with my daughter-in-law since it was just the three of us, but it was anything but that.
Toby had asked me to be there at 2 p.m., but I arrived about 10 minutes late, and Layla took that as an opportunity to create a scene.
“Why are you so late, Jennifer?” she asked as soon as I stepped inside the house. I couldn’t see Toby anywhere near the entrance. “I’ve been waiting for you for so long!”
“I… I got late because of the traffic,” I stammered, taken aback by the unexpected confrontation.
“I don’t like hosting people who can’t value my time,” she muttered.
“I’m sorry for that, Layla,” I apologized. “But it was just 10 minutes.”
“I don’t care if it was 10 minutes or 10 hours,” she shot me an angry look. “You need to be on time when you come to my place, underst—”
“Oh, Mom! You’re here!” Toby interrupted. “How are you, my lovely lady?”
“I’m fine, Toby,” I said, hugging him, still reeling from Layla’s behavior. “How are you, my love? Looks like you haven’t been eating well.”
“Nah, I’m good, Mom,” he smiled. “What were you guys talking about?”
“Your wife was say—”
“Nothing, babe,” Layla cut me off. “I was just telling her how beautiful she looks today.”
“Yeah?” Toby’s gaze shifted from his wife to me. “My mom always looks the best!”
At that point, I was stunned by Layla’s behavior. Why was she being so sweet to me in front of Toby? And why didn’t she let me tell him what she had said earlier?
I spent the rest of the afternoon at their house, observing how Layla effortlessly switched on her sweet personality whenever Toby was around. But when he wasn’t looking, she’d throw mean remarks to make me feel unwelcome.
That day marked the beginning of my strained relationship with my daughter-in-law.
Then, one day, I noticed how Toby began taking her side whenever Layla and I argued in front of him.
“Layla’s right, Mom,” Toby said one day when we were at a restaurant deciding what to order for dinner. “We don’t need a large bowl of salad. It’s just the three of us. We’ll manage with a small bowl.”
“See, I’ve been telling your mother to order the small bowl, but she never listens to me,” Layla chuckled. “I don’t know why she never trusts me.”
She played the victim in front of him, and my poor boy always fell for it. I don’t blame him; he had seen his father always side with me. But I wasn’t like Layla. I wasn’t pretending to be a good daughter-in-law in front of my husband.
Layla’s behavior toward me didn’t change until the day she called me. I was genuinely surprised to see her name on my phone screen.
“Hi, Jen!” she chirped through the phone.
Jen? I thought. That’s weird.
“Hi, Layla,” I played along, trying to sound as sweet as possible. “How are you?”
“I’m good,” she said. “I was wondering if I could borrow your car tomorrow. Would that be okay with you?”
“My car?” I asked.
“Yeah,” she sighed. “Actually, I was supposed to visit my friend today. She lives a few hours away, but I couldn’t go because my car broke down. The mechanic says it’ll take a few days before he can fix it.”
“Oh, my! Sounds like there’s a major problem,” I said, genuinely concerned.
“I was so upset, but then Toby suggested I ask if you could lend me your car for a day,” she continued. “I’ll be back in a week.”
A week? I thought. That’s a lot.
But I felt bad for her. She sounded desperate, and she mentioned Toby had suggested it, so I didn’t want to let her down. I also saw it as a chance to mend our relationship.
“Sure, I don’t mind,” I said. “You can come over today if you want.”
And that was one of the biggest mistakes of my life.
A week later, Layla and Toby returned my car, but I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw it. It was covered in scratches, dents, and dust. And the inside? It smelled like rotten onions!
“What have you done to my car?” I spat out. “What happened?”
“Excuse me?” she said, squinting her eyes as if I’d said something outrageous. “What did I do to your car? It was like this when I picked it up the other day.”
“Stop it, Layla!” I yelled at her. “Stop lying.”
“You think I’m lying?” she snapped, turning to Toby. “Babe, look at her! She’s accusing me of lying! How dare she?”
“Mom, Layla’s right,” Toby said. “She told me your car was like this when she picked it up the other day. She’s not lying.”
“Toby? Are you serious?” I stared at him in shock, realizing there was no point in arguing with them.
I had no proof, and neither did she. But Toby sided with her because he was so blindly in love with her.
I realized that arguing might even push my son away, so I decided to teach Layla a lesson instead. I spent the night researching online and stumbled across an incredible idea. A quick call to the nearby pet shop, and my plan was in motion.
The next night, I drove over to their place armed with animal attractant sprays. I carefully sprayed them all over their backyard, driveway, and front porch, making sure to stay out of sight.
With the lights off, I knew they were asleep. I quickly executed my plan and quietly drove away, feeling a mix of nerves and satisfaction.
I was certain this would teach Layla not to mess with me again.
The next morning, I woke up to my phone ringing. It was Toby.
“Mom, I need help!” he cried over the phone.
“What happened, honey?” I asked, feigning ignorance. “Are you okay?”
“We just woke up, and it’s awful here! The yard stinks, and wild animals have turned our place into a toilet! The whole house smells horrible, and we don’t know what to do!”
I secretly smirked, listening to him rant about the mess. The irony was delicious.
“Oh, my!” I pretended to be surprised. “That sounds horrible. I guess that’s what happens when you ruin someone else’s property.”
I don’t know if Toby caught my meaning, but I’m sure his clever wife knew those animals didn’t show up by chance. She had to know it was me, her oh-so-nice mother-in-law, who never fought back before.
Since that day, Layla hasn’t dared to mess with me. We met at a dinner once, and she didn’t try to be rude or complain about me wasting her time. Meanwhile, Toby started calling me regularly, checking in to see how I was doing.
I guess my dear husband Nathan was right after all. My son did need me to pull him out of the trance Layla had drawn him into. He needed me to stand up for myself and set a boundary his wife wouldn’t dare cross again.
What would you have done if you were in my place?
Every Babysitter Quit after Meeting My Husband – So I Hid a Nanny Cam to Find Out Why
When three babysitters quit after just one day, Sarah knew something was off. Determined to figure out what was going on in her home, she set up a hidden camera, and what she discovered left her stunned.
The morning sun filtered through the kitchen window, casting a soft light on the breakfast table where Lily’s half-finished cereal bowl sat. I wiped Max’s sticky hands as he giggled, completely unaware of the frustration building up inside me.
My phone buzzed on the counter, and I didn’t even need to look to know what it was. I felt a familiar sinking feeling hit my stomach. With a sigh, I picked up the phone.
A woman’s hands holding a cellphone | Source: Pixabay
The screen flashed a message from Megan, the babysitter I had hired just yesterday.
“I’m sorry, but I won’t be able to continue working with your family. Thank you for the opportunity.”
My chest tightened as I read the words again, trying to make sense of them. Megan had been great, just like the others—kind, responsible, and so enthusiastic when I’d interviewed her. What had changed in just a day?
Woman in deep thought as she stands in front of the kitchen sink | Source: Pexels
I leaned against the counter, staring blankly at the message. A faint clatter from the living room snapped me back to reality. Lily was busy with her toy, her little brow furrowed in concentration, while Max toddled around, laughing at his own tiny steps. They were fine, happy, even. So why did every babysitter leave after just a day or two?
Two kids playing in the living room | Source: Pexels
I deleted Megan’s message and glanced at the clock. Julie would be here soon for our usual coffee catch-up. Maybe talking to her would help me make sense of this mess. As I tidied up the kitchen, I couldn’t shake the nagging thought creeping into my mind.
Was I doing something wrong? Was it the kids? Or was there something I just wasn’t seeing?
When Julie arrived, I greeted her with a hug, trying to hide my frustration with a smile. But as soon as we sat down with our coffees, it all came spilling out.
A woman with a cup of coffee | Source: Pexels
“I don’t get it, Julie,” I said, setting my cup down harder than I meant to. “This is the third babysitter who’s quit after just one day. They all seemed so happy when I hired them, but then they just… leave. No explanations. Nothing.”
Julie sipped her coffee, her eyes narrowing thoughtfully. “That’s really strange, Sarah. You’re not asking too much, are you?”
I shook my head. “I don’t think so. The kids are well-behaved, and I’m paying well. I just don’t get it.”
Julie leaned back, tapping her fingers lightly on her cup. “Do you think it could be… something else?”
Woman sitting on the couch with a cup of coffee in hand | Source: Pexels
I frowned. “What do you mean?”
She hesitated, then spoke carefully. “I mean, maybe it’s not the job that’s making them leave. Maybe it’s something—or someone—else in the house.”
Her words hit me like a splash of cold water. I hadn’t even thought of that. My mind immediately went to Dave, but I quickly brushed the thought aside. No, that couldn’t be it. He’d been supportive of my decision to go back to work, or at least, he’d said he was.
A woman contemplating while holding a cup of coffee | Source: Pexels
Still, Julie’s suggestion planted a seed of doubt. I tried to shake it off as we finished our coffee, but the thought stuck with me, gnawing at me long after she left.
I was exhausted from hiring new babysitters, only for them to quit after just one day. At first, I chalked it up to bad luck. But after the third one left, it started to feel more like a pattern. The kids wouldn’t tell me much—Lily’s five, and Max is two, so what can I expect?
Woman watching another woman leave her home | Source: Midjourney
I was eager to go back to work, but I couldn’t until I found someone who would actually stay. Something wasn’t adding up, and I was determined to figure it out.
By the time the clock ticked past midnight, I couldn’t take it anymore. I needed to know. I wasn’t going to sit around in the dark, doubting myself or anyone else. It was time to take matters into my own hands.
Woman thinking in bed | Source: Pexels
The next morning, after Dave left for work, I rummaged through Max’s closet and found the old nanny cam we’d used when he was a baby. It was small, discreet, and perfect for what I needed. With shaky hands, I set it up in the living room, tucking it between some books on the shelf where it wouldn’t be noticed.
A web cam | Source: Pixabay
I told myself this was just for peace of mind. If nothing was wrong, then I’d have nothing to worry about. But if something—or someone—was behind all of this, I needed to see it with my own eyes.
Later that day, I hired another babysitter. Megan had seemed so promising, but I couldn’t dwell on that. This time, I went with Rachel, a sweet college student with a bright smile. She greeted the kids with so much enthusiasm, and for a moment, I let myself hope that maybe this time would be different.
A young woman smiling at a toddler | Source: Pexels
But as I left the house, I didn’t head to work. Instead, I parked down the street and pulled out my phone, my heart racing as I watched the live feed from the nanny cam.
At first, everything seemed fine. Rachel was playing with the kids, and they seemed happy. But my grip tightened on the steering wheel as the minutes ticked by. I just couldn’t shake the feeling that something was about to go wrong.
A woman checking her phone from inside the car | Source: Pexels
And then, just like clockwork, Dave came home early.
I sat in my car, eyes glued to my phone screen. Rachel was on the living room floor, playing blocks with Max. Everything seemed fine, just like it always did at first. But my gut told me to stay alert.
When Dave walked in, my heart pounded. He hung up his keys, his smile a little too casual as he greeted Rachel. “Hey there, how’s it going?”
Man in a suit smiling | Source: Midjourney
Rachel looked up, a bit startled. “Oh, everything’s great. The kids are wonderful.”
“Good to hear,” he replied, though his voice had a forced warmth. “Can I talk to you for a second?”
Rachel hesitated but nodded. They moved to the couch, and I leaned closer to the screen, anxiety tightening its grip on me.
Woman watching her phone intently | Source: Pexels
“Look,” Dave began, his tone serious, “the kids can be a handful, especially Max. Sarah’s been struggling with postpartum depression, and it’s been tough for all of us.”
My breath caught. Postpartum depression? That wasn’t true. My hands tightened around the steering wheel as I tried to process what I was hearing.
A woman’s hand grasping a stirring wheel | Source: Pexels
Rachel looked concerned. “I’m so sorry to hear that. But the kids seem fine to me.”
“They are,” Dave said, “most of the time. But it can get overwhelming. If you feel like this isn’t the right fit, it’s okay to step away now before things get too complicated.”
Rachel looked down, clearly unsure of what to say. Then Dave leaned in closer, lowering his voice. “And just between us, I’ve had problems with babysitters in the past. If they don’t leave quietly, things can get… messy.”
Man leaning close to a woman as he speaks to her | Source: Pexels
Rachel’s face turned pale. She quickly nodded. “I understand. Maybe you’re right. I should go.”
Dave smiled, satisfied. “No hard feelings. It’s for the best.”
Rachel didn’t waste any time gathering her things and heading for the door. She barely looked at the kids as she left.
I sat in the car, stunned. Dave had been sabotaging every babysitter, driving them away with his lies and threats. And I had no idea until now.
Woman looking out the window of a car | Source: Pexels
The next morning, the air in the kitchen felt thick, heavy with the words I hadn’t said yet. The usual clatter of breakfast prep faded into the background as I stood by the sink, gripping the edge of the counter.
“Dave,” I said, breaking the silence, “we need to talk.”
He looked up, surprised. “What’s up?”
Man looking at a woman in the kitchen | Source: Pexels
“I know what you’ve been doing,” I said quietly. “With the babysitters.”
For a split second, guilt flashed in his eyes. But he quickly hid it. “What do you mean?”
“I saw the nanny cam footage,” I replied, my voice steady but filled with hurt. “You lied to them. You made them think I couldn’t handle things. Why?”
Woman confronting a man in the kitchen | Source: Midjourney
His eyes widened slightly, but he didn’t deny it. Instead, he leaned back, crossing his arms over his chest. “So, you were spying on me?”
I clenched the dish towel in my hands, trying to keep my anger in check. “Spying? Is that what you call it? After everything you did? You lied to them, Dave. You told them I had postpartum depression—”
“Well, you’ve been stressed—”
Man and woman arguing in the kitchen | Source: Midjourney
“No,” I interrupted, my voice rising. “Don’t twist this around. You scared them off on purpose. You made them think our home wasn’t safe, that our kids were too much to handle. And you made me think it was my fault. Why, Dave? Why would you do that?”
Man and woman arguing in the kitchen | Source: Midjourney
His calm facade cracked just a little. He glanced down at the table, his fingers tapping nervously against the wood. “I just… I thought it was better for the family if you stayed home with the kids. That’s where you’re needed, Sarah. Not out working.”
I stared at him, stunned by how easily the words came out of his mouth, as if he really believed what he was saying. “So, you decided that for me?” I asked, my voice dangerously quiet as I teared up. “You decided what was best for me without even talking to me about it?”
Woman in tears | Source: Pexels
“I was trying to protect you,” he said defensively, though his voice had lost some of its confidence. “You’ve been overwhelmed with the kids, and I didn’t want to add more stress by having you go back to work.”
I felt a bitter laugh rise in my throat, but I forced it down. “Protect me? By lying to me? By manipulating every attempt I made to get back to work? That’s not protection, Dave. That’s control.”
He looked at me, his expression hardening. “I’m doing what’s best for the kids.”
Man and woman arguing intensely | Source: Pexels
“And what about what’s best for me?” I shot back. “Don’t I get a say in that? I’m their mother, but I’m also more than that. I love our kids, but I need to have my own life too. You don’t get to take that away from me.”
The kitchen suddenly felt too small, the air too thick, as we stood there in silence, my words hanging between us. I could see the stubbornness in his eyes, the refusal to admit he’d been wrong. But I also saw the cracks in his resolve, the guilt he couldn’t quite hide.
Couple appearing distant in the kitchen | Source: Pexels
“I don’t know what happens next,” I said finally, my voice softer now but still firm. “But I can’t stay here, not like this. I need time to think.”
“Sarah, don’t do this,” he said, his tone suddenly pleading. “I never meant to hurt you.”
I looked at him, my heart heavy, but my decision was made. “I know you didn’t. But you did.”
A man and woman arguing | Source: Pexels
Silence hung in the air as I turned and walked out of the kitchen, my mind made up. I couldn’t stay here, not like this. As I packed a bag for the kids and me, I felt a mix of sadness and relief. The future was uncertain, but at least now, I was taking control.
If this story pulled you in, you’ll love the next one. It’s about a husband who thought he had everything covered—until his wife checked his car and found something that changed everything.
This work is inspired by real events and people, but it has been fictionalized for creative purposes. Names, characters, and details have been changed to protect privacy and enhance the narrative. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental and not intended by the author.
The author and publisher make no claims to the accuracy of events or the portrayal of characters and are not liable for any misinterpretation. This story is provided “as is,” and any opinions expressed are those of the characters and do not reflect the views of the author or publisher.
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