I’ve been married to Masato for sixteen years, and our life with our three kids—Yuma (7th grade), Rei (5th grade), and Taku (2nd grade)—was always full of laughter and warmth. Then one day, my mother-in-law was diagnosed with a serious illness. Around that same time, Masato told me he had an older brother who’s been shut away from the world for over twenty years. And instead of apologizing for keeping that secret, he acted like he was the victim, betrayed after years of misplaced trust. I’ve realized I can’t have a real, honest conversation with him anymore. The happy days we shared now feel like a distant memory.
Maybe this is the end for us. That’s what I’ve started to think. Even if I set aside the fact that he hid his brother’s existence, I’ve lost all confidence in a marriage where meaningful communication doesn’t exist. It’s frightening how a life that once felt so happy can crumble in an instant.
And now, I’ve discovered something even worse—his parents are trying to involve our children. Maybe they’re trying to appeal to the kids’ sense of kindness or guilt, but I can’t let that happen. If his parents show up this weekend as they’re threatening to, I’m seriously considering taking the kids and staying at my parents’ place for a while.