Dear Annie: My husband and I have been struggling with marital problems ever since he proposed. Before that, we got along well, but things took a turn for the worse after the engagement. His ex-wife is constantly causing drama, and whenever I try to stand up for myself, the situation gets twisted, and I’m the one blamed.

My husband usually ends up upset with me instead of addressing the real issue. The ex has crossed major boundaries. For example, she joined the same exercise classes I attended just to stir up trouble, and eventually, she was asked not to come anymore because of her behavior.

Now the main issue is with one of his adult daughters (my stepdaughter). Before I came into the picture, my husband often talked about how he felt alone, saying his kids didn’t call, text or visit him. But since we got married, his daughter calls him around five times a day. Meanwhile, I can’t even call him without it causing an argument. If I call, he accuses me of checking up on him.

He also does things for his kids behind my back, and when I find out and confront him, he accuses me of being “toxic.” He doesn’t call me during the day and wouldn’t even know if I were dead or alive. Honestly, it feels like he wouldn’t care at this point.

We’ve been together for four years and married for two, but I feel like his family doesn’t want him to be happy with me — or anyone else, for that matter. I love my husband, but I believe as long as his ex and kids are involved in this way, they won’t allow our marriage to succeed.

I’ve tried talking to him, but he doesn’t listen. Instead, he gets defensive, gets offended and then won’t speak to me for days.

I’m completely drained and at a loss for what to do. Is there a way to fix this, or is it already broken? For context, his last relationship before me — an eight-year partnership — also ended because of these same issues. — Exhausted in this Marriage

Dear Exhausted: Blended families can be incredibly challenging, and it’s understandable that you’re feeling frustrated and even jealous of your husband’s now-close relationship with his daughter. That said, there’s also something beautiful about a father and daughter reconnecting later in life and becoming close friends.

It’s important to remember that love isn’t a finite resource; the love he feels for his daughter is very different from the love he feels for you. Try to remind yourself of that when emotions run high.

However, if you feel that he’s not communicating openly with you or is hiding things, that’s a serious concern. It may indicate that he’s afraid of how you’ll react, and fear has no place in a healthy relationship. Open, honest communication is essential.

Talk to him calmly and let him know how you’re feeling without assigning blame. Use “I” statements like, “I feel hurt when it seems like my feelings are being dismissed,” to help keep the conversation constructive.

If he continues to get defensive or refuses to see your perspective, it may be time to consider marriage counseling. A neutral third party can help both of you navigate this complicated situation and figure out whether the relationship can be repaired — or if it’s time to go separate ways.

Send questions for Annie Lane to dearannie@creators.com.