When we enter into a marriage, we expect trust and open communication to be the foundation of our relationship. But sometimes, unexpected circumstances can test even the strongest of bonds. Barbara, a reader of Bright Side, recently discovered that her husband had been secretly helping his sister, despite promising that they were no longer in contact. This revelation left Barbara feeling hurt and betrayed. If you find yourself in a similar situation, here are some suggestions to help navigate this challenging time.

Dear Bright Side, My husband, Robbie, and I have been married for 16 years. Our marriage was mostly happy except for one person who has made my life incredibly difficult – his sister, Gemma. Gemma was always rude and hostile towards me. Her attempts to harm my reputation and ruin our marriage included encouraging Robbie to reconnect with his first girlfriend, who happened to be her close friend. Faced with this situation, l issued an ultimatum to Robbie: either choose to save our marriage by cutting ties with his sister or risk losing me. Fortunately, he chose our family, and we haven’t had any contact with Gemma for the past decade.