I’m 23F, and for the past year, I’ve been on and off with a man in his 50s. We met while I was interning at his accounting firm. What started as friendly lunches turned into long drives, hotel stays, and private trips. He makes me feel loved and safe in a way no guy my age ever has.

Recently, he asked me to marry him privately. We’re both Muslim, and he said this would make our relationship halal. The catch? He’s already married with four kids two of them go to my university and are my age.

Islam allows up to four wives, but under specific conditions, often meant to support women in need not necessarily for situations like this please don’t just a religion based off the post please educate yourself on the matter of several marriages it’s literally made to help divorced women or widowed women or a female who needed shelter. That being said I’m deeply conflicted. I love him, but I also feel guilt, especially toward his wife. He offered to put a home in my name as reassurance and keep our marriage secret. Part of me wants that, but I don’t want to live hidden or lie to my family.

This relationship was never about money we’ve always split things. It’s about love. But now I’m stuck between my heart, my faith, and my conscience. I told him I need time. I don’t know what the right path is.

Please be kind. I’m just trying to figure things out.