I thought my marriage journey would be smooth, but everything turned turbulent the moment I met my future father-in-law./th

My boyfriend and I had been passionately in love, always by each other’s side for the past two years. He is three years older than me, mature, and has a promising career. As for me, I had just graduated from university and had been working at a company for over a year. Our love story made many of my friends admire us—not only because we looked good together, but also because my boyfriend was courteous and handsome.

Since both of us had stable jobs, mature thinking, and were at the right age, we agreed to plan for a long-term life together. Just imagining living with the person I loved filled us with excitement and hope for a beautiful future. Even though we were only dating, we already treated each other as husband and wife, even changing the way we addressed each other from “brother–sister” to “husband–wife.”

When I called home to share the news, my parents were overjoyed and respected my decision. Later, the two of us went together to ask for my parents’ opinion, and of course, everything went smoothly and happily. We were both eager to visit his family’s home next—this would be the first time I would meet all the members of my future husband’s family. I had visited his house a few times before, but his father was never home. Sometimes his mother was there, sometimes no one was around.

To prepare for meeting my future father-in-law and his family, I made careful preparations. I felt confident because I knew I was polite, tactful, and respectful. Besides, my fiancé always reassured me, saying that his parents respected him very much. He had already talked with them about our marriage, and they fully supported it.

The family introduction went smoothly, except for one person who completely shocked me—my future father-in-law. I immediately recognized that middle-aged man. He was wealthy, the owner of a company, and carried himself with confidence. But he was also the very same man who once spent lavishly to support and have an affair with one of my friends, who at that time was only a third-year university student. A married man, secretly involved with someone young enough to be his daughter.

I recognized him right away because I used to be quite close to that friend. A few times, I even saw him personally pick her up to go out, and once he invited me to join them for dinner. Of course, I refused immediately. He didn’t recognize me now, since several years had passed—I looked different, with a new style of clothing and hairstyle. But as for me, I could never forget him, the man who caused my friend so much pain and regret after realizing the terrible mistake of being naïve enough to fall for an older married man.

From feeling joyful and excited, I suddenly felt utterly disheartened when I realized what kind of man my future father-in-law really was. I made an excuse about having urgent work at the company and left early—the truth was, I just wanted to get out of that house as quickly as possible. Since that day, I’ve been deeply troubled, constantly worrying about my future. With a father-in-law like that, I cannot accept it.

What’s worse, I fear my fiancé might inherit his father’s womanizing ways. Many nights I’ve stayed awake, thinking anxiously about the life that lies ahead. The thought of breaking up crosses my mind often—I no longer want to get married. But I’m also afraid of hurting him, since he wouldn’t understand why I would suddenly end things.

I feel torn and helpless—should I take the initiative to break up, or should I tell him the whole truth about what I know?