Ashley Darby shared that childhood trauma was playing a role in her drawn out divorce on Sunday's episode of The Real Housewives Of Potomac on Bravo.
The 35-year-old reality star was asked about the status of her divorce from Michael Darby, 64, during an one-on-one conversation with Mia Thornton, 39.
Mia told Ashley that she was raising the topic after having lunch with her husband Gordon, 69, who said he believes Ashley actually won't get divorced.
'Speaking from an older man, right? He said we probably wouldn't end up divorced either. That we will come up with some type of an arrangement,' Mia said. 'So clear it up for me.'
'It's more so the security that comes with being with him. When I was younger, my mom and I were evicted twice from our house, so I've sat on the side of the street with my belongings multiple times,' said Ashley, who announced her separation from Australian businessman Michael in April 2022.
'It is fear. When Gizelle [Bryant] said, ''It's operating in fear,'' like, yes, I am scared of what it could look like if I don't ..if I'm not able to meet the mortgage,' Ashley said.
'Because you don't want to be on the corner with your babies,' Mia said.
Ashley in a confessional further explained the source of her fear.
'My mom was a single parent, and there were a lot of times that even though we had help from my family, my mom just couldn't make ends meet. I was in the second grade, and my grandmother picked me up from school, and she took me to where our stuff was on the side of the road. Watching my mom on the side of the road with all of her stuff, I think about my own kids and how I would feel if, for some reason, like, I was in that position. It breaks my heart,' Ashley told the camera.
Mia asked Ashley if she thought she would ever get divorced.
'Yes, I will,' said Ashley, who has sons Dean, four, and Dylan, two, with Michael.
'Okay, I think you should,' Mia said.
'Probably be the end of the year [2023]. My goal is by the end of the year. My birthday is next week, so, you know, these milestones,' said Ashley, who turned 35 last June.
The season eight episode titled Sharing Is Caring also featured a one-on-one talk between show newcomer Nneka Ihim, 36, and Wendy Osefo, 39.
Nneka apologized for calling Wendy a 'b****' and calling her mother a witch, but Wendy said it was clear that she did not want peace.
Wendy stormed off and Nneka cried to a producer that Wendy did not want her apology.
Gizelle Bryant, 53, also got emotional as her eldest daughter Grace graduated from high school.
Robyn Dixon, 44, during the episode took the women on a trip to the Dominican Republic.
Karen Huger, 60, refused to share a room, but birthday girl Ashley volunteered to give her room to Karen.
Gizelle had a ceremony to crown Nneka as the new 'grand dame', but Karen was not amused by her coronation ceremony.
Candiace Dillard Bassett, 37, was not having anything to do with a Gizelle event and walked off.
Nneka danced around wearing her new crown as Karen frowned.
'Any opportunity that this sinister imp has to inflict pain on others, she's going to take it. I don't need to be a part of that fool ...that's so f***ing stupid. I don't need to be a part of it,' Candiace said in a confessional.
