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Engaged to a woman who lied about her past, what should I do?

Anu

Anu Krishna  |1794 Answers  |Ask -

Relationships Expert, Mind Coach - Answered on Dec 07, 2024

Anu Krishna is a mind coach and relationship expert.
The co-founder of Unfear Changemakers LLP, she has received her neuro linguistic programming training from National Federation of NeuroLinguistic Programming, USA, and her energy work specialisation from the Institute for Inner Studies, Manila.
She is an executive member of the Indian Association of Adolescent Health.... more
Asked by Anonymous - Dec 06, 2024Hindi
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Relationship

I'm caught up in a very difficult situation. I had met a Woman through Arranged Marriage Platform, while we both were getting along quite well with each other, I told her that I'm Virgin & asked her about her Past Relationship(s) if any, she denied categorically. We got Engaged, last month (in November) & our Wedding is scheduled next Month (January). Preparations are going on, including Distribution of Invitation cards. A few days ago, a Guy contacted me, claiming to be my Fiancee's Ex Boyfriend. Initially, I didn't take him seriously as I trusted my Fiancee. But then he showed me some Photos & Videos of their Intimate Moments (as it was apparent from the Videos, she seemed to be conscious & fully aware that their intimate moments are being recorded & some of the Photos were Nude/Semi-Nude Selfies, which she'd taken & shared with her ex Boyfriend, by herself... but she had not consented to share them with anyone else). I was Shocked. The Ex Boyfriend Reassured me that he'd also moved on from her & wouldn't bother her after her Marriage, but he was feeling bitter that she'd Dumped him to Marry me & just wanted to make me aware of what kind of Woman I'd be Marrying. I confronted my Fiancee over a Phone Call & asked her to meet me personally, as there were many Questions disturbing my Heart & Mind and I wanted to demand an Explanation from her. But she refused to meet up with me & wouldn't even discuss anything related her Relationship History on Phone Call/Video Call or WhatsApp Chat. She just kept telling me that it was all in her 'Past' & Promised me that after we both get Married, she'd be a Faithful Wife, Loyal to me. I want to have an Open-Heart conversation with her to Re-evaluate our Relationship before taking any big decision further. But, since she's bluntly Refusing to open up & discuss anything about her Past with me, I am losing Trust in her. Now I am in Dilemma, whether I should blindly Trust her & go ahead with the Marriage as Planned or shall discuss the matter with our Parents & get the Marriage Cancelled, to avoid taking such a Big Risk?

Ans: Dear Anonymous,
What made the ex-bf come and disrupt things? Is this his way of getting back at his ex-gf (your soon to be wife)?
I would not trust his intentions...at the same time, now that you know, you have the right to actually talk to her and clarify things. She needs to respect your need to know; but did it occur to you that she might have not opened up with you as she has been afraid of this confrontation?

Many people have a past and it may not be pleasant and in this case, that's what it seems like...if she is hesitant, reassuring her and giving her a comfort space to open up maybe the best thing to do. She needs to know that she is safe with you to share and she may tell you everything. Now, how you use that information is left to your wisdom BUT do not judge people based on their past. Why I say this is: I do not trust the ex-bf's intentions coming to you and close to the wedding sharing information that suggests that he might be out to destroy her reputation.

Now whether you must blindly trust her or not, is something that you ask yourself. If you are willing to set things aside and hear her version of the story and then either you trust or you don't; no conditions apply. That is your choice...But when you make a choice of trusting, then DO NOT look back...

All the best!
Anu Krishna
Mind Coach|NLP Trainer|Author
Drop in: www.unfear.io
Reach me: Facebook: anukrish07/ AND LinkedIn: anukrishna-joyofserving/
Asked on - Dec 07, 2024 | Answered on Dec 09, 2024
Thanks for Answering my Question, Anu Ma'am... I agree with whatever you have said... I understand her situation & empathize with her Situation. I am willing to give her the Benefit of Doubt & Listen & Understand her side of the Story, without any Harsh Judgement. But she's not even willing to sit down for an Open-Heart Discussion with me. I prefer to have this difficult conversation by meeting her alone, personally, in a Safe Space where we get all the Privacy we need, not in either of our Homes, to avoid the intrusion of other Family Members. The main Reason for preferring a Personal Meeting over a Phone Call/WhatsApp Chat is that, I want to observe her Body Language & Facial Expressions keenly, to ascertain whether she's being truthful or not. And she might get emotional & break down, during the Sensitive conversation, I want to Hug her & Comfort her, so that she feels safe to open up to me, completely. But how can I Trust a Person, who isn't even willing to have an Open & Honest Conversation with me...!!!??? I like almost everything else about her, notwithstanding her Past & a part of me does want to Marry her, but I have many Questions about her Past & I need Honest Answers from her, to make an Informed Decision. But she's asking me to wait until we get Married & then she'd prove herself as a Worthy Wife. But I am afraid that it might be too late & at that point, it wouldn't be easy to undo the Marriage, just in case, I don't find her Honest & Trustworthy enough. I am exploring the option of Postponing the Wedding (citing some other Reason) so that we both get more time to sort this out. But the problem is, how do I get her to talk with me...!!!??? She's unwilling to come anywhere & meet me personally & I don't want to go to her Home & unnecessarily create a scene over there. Shall I threaten her that I'd tell my Parents about her Past & Cancel the Wedding, unless, she comes to meet me in person, for an Open & Honest Conversation? I wouldn't really do something so Harsh, but would this empty threat make her open up to me or have the Opposite effect? If you have a better Idea, please suggest me, how do I get her to meet me personally & Talk to me openly? I have another Question related to this, which I'll post after you Reply to this Question. Thanks in advance, Anu Ma'am ????
Ans: Dear Anonymous,
Again I say this...it's not easy speaking the truth and it's not easy hearing it either.
In both cases, the person involved absolutely needs to hear it from the other person that they are safe. Which means you cannot reassure her after she comes to have the conversation. This has to happen much before and it possibly is going to take some time.
And I still support you need to know...but do so gently...without bringing in your eruptions in emotions which is going to bring things down even more.
Even after attempting this, if you have doubts and it has begun to haunt you; there's a dilemma that you are going to be faced with. But, be patient and ease her into meeting with you.

All the best!
Anu Krishna
Mind Coach|NLP Trainer|Author
Drop in: www.unfear.io
Reach me: Facebook: anukrish07/ AND LinkedIn: anukrishna-joyofserving/
Asked on - Dec 10, 2024 | Answered on Dec 11, 2024
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Thanks again, Anu Ma'am... But I have another Problem... What to do about the Ex Boyfriend? A Part of me is grateful to him for the Eye-opening Revelation, he'd given me, in the nick of time. He seems to consider me as a Brother & by warning me about my Fiancee, he claims to be upholding the unwritten Bro-code, having the back of a Fellow Man... Though illegal, he Believes that he's Morally Right... He says that, even a Woman, in his place, would do the same, for a Fellow Woman. Even though he tried to Reassure me that he'd moved on from his Ex Girlfriend (my Fiancee) completely & wouldn't disturb our Married Life, in case, I still go on to Marry her. But I am not able to Trust him completely. I feel that he's a Potential threat to my Fiancee & also our Marriage. He might blackmail her into engaging in an Extra-marital affair with him, even after our Marriage... or he might also try to Harm her or Defame her. Should I completely Leave it to my Fiancee to Deal with him, as she herself is not completely Blameless (She allowed him to Record their Intimate Moments & also shared her Private Photos with him)? Or do I have any Obligation to fight this Battle, alongside her, as she's already my Fiancee, if not Wife? I'm worried about Risking my Family's Reputation, by getting into this scandal, in case, the word spreads in our Community. Either way, I want him to be dealt with properly, before our Marriage itself. What approach would you suggest, in this case?
Ans: Dear Anonymous,
Anyone who steps in or is allowed to step in between a couple in a relationship is an outsider. Treat him like one!
This guy has no business coming in and creating a ruckus for all...he could have warned you much before? Bro-code yeah? So, why now? Does this not raise alarm bells in your head?
This is between you and your to-be wife...Keep this guy aside and only take this up with her...The second you keep him out and he knows it, he will realize that you have not given him permission to interfere anymore...one less person to deal with, yeah? Also community comes in only when you bring it in...Why do I get this feeling that you are rallying an army to sort the issue. Soften it in your mind first and then slowly take it up...
Again, I say...it's up to how you want to drive this conversation with her...confrontation OR reconciliation? This alone is going to define the outcome.

All the best!
Anu Krishna
Mind Coach|NLP Trainer|Author
Drop in: www.unfear.io
Reach me: Facebook: anukrish07/ AND LinkedIn: anukrishna-joyofserving/

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Kanchan

Kanchan Rai  |663 Answers  |Ask -

Relationships Expert, Mind Coach - Answered on Dec 07, 2024

Asked by Anonymous - Dec 06, 2024Hindi
Listen
Relationship
I'm caught up in a very difficult situation. I had met a Woman through Arranged Marriage Platform, while we both were getting along quite well with each other, I told her that I'm Virgin & asked her about her Past Relationship(s) if any, she denied categorically. We got Engaged, last month (in November) & our Wedding is scheduled next Month (January). Preparations are going on, including Distribution of Invitation cards. A few days ago, a Guy contacted me, claiming to be my Fiancee's Ex Boyfriend. Initially, I didn't take him seriously as I trusted my Fiancee. But then he showed me some Photos & Videos of their Intimate Moments (as it was apparent from the Videos, she seemed to be conscious & fully aware that their intimate moments are being recorded & some of the Photos were Nude/Semi-Nude Selfies, which she'd taken & shared with her ex Boyfriend, by herself... but she had not consented to share them with anyone else). I was Shocked. The Ex Boyfriend Reassured me that he'd also moved on from her & wouldn't bother her after her Marriage, but he was feeling bitter that she'd Dumped him to Marry me & just wanted to make me aware of what kind of Woman I'd be Marrying. I confronted my Fiancee over a Phone Call & asked her to meet me personally, as there were many Questions disturbing my Heart & Mind and I wanted to demand an Explanation from her. But she refused to meet up with me & wouldn't even discuss anything related her Relationship History on Phone Call/Video Call or WhatsApp Chat. She just kept telling me that it was all in her 'Past' & Promised me that after we both get Married, she'd be a Faithful Wife, Loyal to me. I want to have an Open-Heart conversation with her to Re-evaluate our Relationship before taking any big decision further. But, since she's bluntly Refusing to open up & discuss anything about her Past with me, I am losing Trust in her. Now I am in Dilemma, whether I should blindly Trust her & go ahead with the Marriage as Planned or shall discuss the matter with our Parents & get the Marriage Cancelled, to avoid taking such a Big Risk?
Ans: At this moment, it is essential to consider what you need for your own peace of mind. If you cannot trust her fully or feel uneasy without clarity, it is important to address those feelings before committing to marriage. It is not selfish to seek answers or reassurances when your heart and mind are in turmoil. At the same time, be mindful of your approach, as accusations or blame can shut down any chance of constructive communication.

If she continues to avoid the conversation, involving both families might be a reasonable step. This is not about blaming or shaming anyone but about ensuring that both of you enter into marriage with mutual trust and respect. Marriage is a union of not just two individuals but also their values, emotions, and expectations. Without addressing these concerns now, the unresolved doubts could seep into your relationship later and cause greater harm.

It’s also worth reflecting on what you need from your partner to move forward. If her commitment to being loyal and faithful now feels insufficient because of her refusal to engage in an open dialogue, that’s valid. Trust cannot thrive where communication falters. If she can assure you of her devotion and you feel you can let go of her past, there’s a path forward. But if doubts linger and trust remains elusive, stepping back to reassess might be the wiser decision, even if it’s painful in the short term.

Whatever choice you make, be gentle with yourself. This is an emotionally taxing situation, and it’s okay to take time to process everything. Listen to your heart, but also give weight to your instincts—they’re often our clearest guides in moments of uncertainty.

With understanding and strength,

..Read more

Anu

Anu Krishna  |1794 Answers  |Ask -

Relationships Expert, Mind Coach - Answered on Dec 09, 2024

Relationship
Thanks for Answering my Question, Anu Ma'am... I agree with whatever you have said... I understand her situation & empathize with her Situation. I am willing to give her the Benefit of Doubt & Listen & Understand her side of the Story, without any Harsh Judgement. But she's not even willing to sit down for an Open-Heart Discussion with me. I prefer to have this difficult conversation by meeting her alone, personally, in a Safe Space where we get all the Privacy we need, not in either of our Homes, to avoid the intrusion of other Family Members. The main Reason for preferring a Personal Meeting over a Phone Call/WhatsApp Chat is that, I want to observe her Body Language & Facial Expressions keenly, to ascertain whether she's being truthful or not. And she might get emotional & break down, during the Sensitive conversation, I want to Hug her & Comfort her, so that she feels safe to open up to me, completely. But how can I Trust a Person, who isn't even willing to have an Open & Honest Conversation with me...!!!??? I like almost everything else about her, notwithstanding her Past & a part of me does want to Marry her, but I have many Questions about her Past & I need Honest Answers from her, to make an Informed Decision. But she's asking me to wait until we get Married & then she'd prove herself as a Worthy Wife. But I am afraid that it might be too late & at that point, it wouldn't be easy to undo the Marriage, just in case, I don't find her Honest & Trustworthy enough. I am exploring the option of Postponing the Wedding (citing some other Reason) so that we both get more time to sort this out. But the problem is, how do I get her to talk with me...!!!??? She's unwilling to come anywhere & meet me personally & I don't want to go to her Home & unnecessarily create a scene over there. Shall I threaten her that I'd tell my Parents about her Past & Cancel the Wedding, unless, she comes to meet me in person, for an Open & Honest Conversation? I wouldn't really do something so Harsh, but would this empty threat make her open up to me or have the Opposite effect? If you have a better Idea, please suggest me, how do I get her to meet me personally & Talk to me openly? I have another Question related to this, which I'll post after you Reply to this Question. Thanks in advance, Anu Ma'am ????
Ans: Dear Anonymous,
Again I say this...it's not easy speaking the truth and it's not easy hearing it either.
In both cases, the person involved absolutely needs to hear it from the other person that they are safe. Which means you cannot reassure her after she comes to have the conversation. This has to happen much before and it possibly is going to take some time.
And I still support you need to know...but do so gently...without bringing in your eruptions in emotions which is going to bring things down even more.
Even after attempting this, if you have doubts and it has begun to haunt you; there's a dilemma that you are going to be faced with. But, be patient and ease her into meeting with you.

All the best!
Anu Krishna
Mind Coach|NLP Trainer|Author
Drop in: www.unfear.io
Reach me: Facebook: anukrish07/ AND LinkedIn: anukrishna-joyofserving/

..Read more

Kanchan

Kanchan Rai  |663 Answers  |Ask -

Relationships Expert, Mind Coach - Answered on Dec 11, 2024

Listen
Relationship
Thanks again, Kanchan Ma'am... I agree with whatever you have said... I understand her situation & empathize with her Situation. I am willing to give her the Benefit of Doubt & Listen & Understand her side of the Story, without any Harsh Judgement. But she's not even willing to sit down for an Open-Heart Discussion with me. I prefer to have this difficult conversation by meeting her alone, personally, in a Safe Space where we get all the Privacy we need, not in either of our Homes, to avoid the intrusion of other Family Members. The main Reason for preferring a Personal Meeting over a Phone Call/WhatsApp Chat is that, I want to observe her Body Language & Facial Expressions keenly, to ascertain whether she's being truthful or not. And she might get emotional & break down, during the Sensitive conversation, I want to Hug her & Comfort her, so that she feels safe to open up to me, completely. But how can I Trust a Person, who isn't even willing to have an Open & Honest Conversation with me...!!!??? I like almost everything else about her, notwithstanding her Past & a part of me does want to Marry her, but I have many Questions about her Past & I need Honest Answers from her, to make an Informed Decision. But she's asking me to wait until we get Married & then she'd prove herself as a Worthy Wife. But I am afraid that it might be too late & at that point, it wouldn't be easy to undo the Marriage, just in case, I don't find her Honest & Trustworthy enough. I am exploring the option of Postponing the Wedding (citing some other Reason) so that we both get more time to sort this out. But the problem is, how do I get her to talk with me...!!!??? She's unwilling to come anywhere & meet me personally & I don't want to go to her Home & unnecessarily create a scene over there. Shall I threaten her that I'd tell my Parents about her Past & Cancel the Wedding, unless, she comes to meet me in person, for an Open & Honest Conversation? I wouldn't really do something so Harsh, but would this empty threat make her open up to me or have the Opposite effect? If you have a better Idea, please suggest me, how do I get her to meet me personally & Talk to me openly? Thanks in advance, Kanchan Ma'am...
Ans: Your fiancée’s reluctance to meet and discuss the matter might stem from fear, shame, or uncertainty about how you’ll react. She may feel overwhelmed by the prospect of confronting the past, worried that no matter what she says, it could jeopardize the relationship. While this doesn’t excuse her unwillingness to communicate, it does offer insight into her possible mindset.

Using threats, even if empty, is not the best approach. While it might prompt a reaction, it risks deepening her mistrust and could escalate the situation unnecessarily. Building trust requires patience and empathy, even in difficult moments. Instead of issuing ultimatums, focus on creating an environment where she feels safe to open up.

You could start by reaching out to her in a calm, understanding tone, perhaps through a message or phone call. Express your intentions clearly—let her know you’re not seeking to judge or punish her for her past but simply want to understand her better so you can move forward with clarity and trust. Reassure her that this conversation isn’t about ending the relationship but strengthening it. For example, you might say:

“I know this is a sensitive topic, and I understand why you might feel hesitant to talk about it. But it’s really important to me that we have an honest conversation before taking this big step in our lives. I care about you, and I want us to start our marriage on a foundation of trust and understanding. Can we meet somewhere private and talk openly? I promise to listen without judgment.”

If she still refuses, you might suggest involving a neutral third party she trusts—perhaps a friend, family member, or counselor—to mediate the conversation. This could help her feel less vulnerable and more supported during such a challenging discussion.

Postponing the wedding could also be a wise decision if you feel the current timeline doesn’t allow enough space to address these unresolved issues. Framing the delay as an opportunity for both of you to strengthen your relationship rather than as a punishment or doubt about her character can help ease tensions.

Ultimately, your goal is to build mutual trust and understanding, and that requires willingness from both sides. While you can’t force her to open up, you can make every effort to show her that you’re approaching this with compassion and a desire to move forward together. If she continues to resist, it’s worth reflecting on whether this relationship is built on the transparency and collaboration you value.

..Read more

Ravi

Ravi Mittal  |722 Answers  |Ask -

Dating, Relationships Expert - Answered on Jan 05, 2026

Asked by Anonymous - Jan 02, 2026Hindi
Relationship
Hi RediffGurus, I’m a 30M (CTC : 30LPA) and currently in serious marriage discussions with a woman (28F ; CTC : 25LPA) I met through Shaadi.com. Some context: We’ve met 5+ times one-on-one Our families have met twice Conversations have been deep and transparent on values, marriage expectations, kids, finances, lifestyle We even went as far as sharing ITR, CIBIL scores, investment details We both did and shared full body health checkups, including fertility, STDs, and thalassemia In our 2nd meet, we discussed past relationships. She told me she had one relationship. In the last meet a few days ago, she herself brought up physical intimacy (I did not bring this up out of nowhere). I honestly shared that I’m a Virgin. She explicitly said she is a Virgin too. After that, we got formally engaged with the Blessings of both Families & continued meeting up with each other, occassionally. Then during one of our recent meets, out of nowhere, she confessed that she is NOT a Virgin and that she had been physical with her ex. Her explanation was that at the time the topic came up earlier, she wasn’t comfortable sharing and ended up giving an incorrect answer. She said she fumbled her response to her own question. Now I’m struggling with something deeper than just the V-card aspect. Because: This was explicitly discussed, not assumed She had multiple chances to correct it earlier We were already at a stage of extreme transparency in other sensitive areas. Now I’m questioning other things we’ve discussed that I can’t independently verify. Like views on cheating, open marriage, long-term expectations, etc. I don’t know: Whether this is a forgivable lapse due to fear/discomfort? Or a red flag about honesty? Or what, realistically, she can do now to rebuild trust? I don’t want to overreact, but I also don’t want to ignore this. How should I proceed in this situation? What questions should I ask myself or her before deciding whether to move forward or walk away?
Ans: Dear Anonymous,
I am glad that both of you have been so thorough and responsible. It shows your sincerity towards this relationship. Now coming to her lying: it isn’t necessary that she lied about this one thing means she might be lying about a lot of other things. Usually, women find it difficult to talk about such sensitive topics. She might have actually fumbled and tried to be in your good graces, lied about it herself. Nevertheless, I understand your hesitation about trusting everything she says now. It’s great that you are trying to address it right away instead of waiting till after marriage. I suggest you have an open and honest conversation about your concern with her. Give her another chance to explain and gauge her sincerity. There’s a lot of things in life that we cannot really verify but we still choose to believe that it’s the truth. Have a talk and see where it goes. But I would also suggest not to be rash about your decision, whether to proceed or not at all; think calmly and rationally. In case, you feel that you cannot ever trust her and it might become a huge issue later, it’s best to reconsider right away. But if you think this relationship is worth fighting for, talk and talk till you are entirely sure that things are sorted.

Hope this helps.

..Read more

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