What is the ruling on secret marriage in the event that the family does not approve of an announced marriage, and there is a desire to expiate for forbidden acts, and given that the wife is divorced and has daughters, which makes it difficult for society to accept her?

If by secret marriage is meant an agreement between a man and a woman secretly only, then it is forbidden fornication. However, if the marriage fulfills the conditions and pillars, but is kept secret from some people or is not announced with a drum, then it is a valid and permissible marriage according to the majority of scholars.

However, obedience to parents is obligatory if they forbid marriage to a specific woman. The questioner must repent sincerely for the forbidden acts he has committed, then seek a righteous wife.