Is Ashley and Manuel’s Secret Keeping Them Apart?

90 Day Fiancé: Happily Ever After? stars Ashley Michelle and Manuel Velez have hit another rough patch in their marriage as they accuse one another of withholding important information. While the couple have faced many challenges with their family, religion, and occupations, they now dig deeper to address their lack of honesty. As Ashley and Manuel uncover major secrets they have each kept from one another, their relationship is again put to the test.

90 Day Fiancé: Happily Ever After? season 8 has documented Ashley and Manuel’s attempt to work through their marriage’s problems. They originally met in Manuel’s native Ecuador, but their first attempt at romance did not last. Ashley and Manuel reconnected after a decade and once again pursued a relationship. They were married, and Manuel moved to New York to be with Ashley. Manuel and Ashley’s love for one another is obvious, but their communication is lacking.

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Manuel Did Not Know About Ashley’s Overwhelming Debt

He Was Stunned To Learn The Amount She Owed

When Ashley and Manuel met with a lawyer to discuss signing a postnuptial agreement, Ashley revealed a bombshell. She had $100,000 in student debt, which Manuel was unaware of. Manuel was shocked that Ashley had not told him she owed such a large amount. It is hard to understand how Ashley and Manuel lived as a married couple and shared finances when he had no concept of the financial burden that loomed over them.

Finances are a touchy subject for Ashley and Manuel. Manuel often criticizes Ashley’s spending while also asking her for money to send to his family in Ecuador without providing details. Following their meeting with the lawyer, Manuel explained to Ashley the necessity of transparency regarding money. He wanted her to see his perspective on planning for the future. However, the conversation shifted when Manuel asked for more money for his family.

Ashley had often expressed frustration with Manuel asking for money to send home without telling her what it was for. Just as Manuel had asked Ashley to consider his viewpoint on finances, he owes her the same respect. He claimed that Ashley agreed to help support his family when they got married. Because Ashley withheld the truth about her debt, Manuel did not understand her reluctance to continue sending money to his family.

Ashley Was Unaware Manuel Was Communicating With His Children’s Mother

His Lies Created An Even Bigger Problem

Manuel’s secrecy surrounding his children has always been a source of discontent for Ashley. She has yet to meet Manuel’s children or form any sort of relationship with him. Until recently, Ashley was under the impression that Manuel had no relationship with his children’s mother. However, she was unsettled when a friend revealed that not only was Manuel in contact with his ex, but he had also been sending her money.

Manuel denied sending money to his children’s mother, but he admitted he had been in contact with her. He explained that to send money to his children, it had to go through their mother. Ashley explained she does not mind that Manuel talked to his ex, but his lying about it is “ruining” Ashley and Manuel’s relationship. Ashley and Manuel’s conversation erupted into an argument about their attitudes and poor communication, which, according to Ashley, is a reoccurring conversation that never gets resolved.

Lies and withholding information are detrimental to a relationship. Fortunately, Ashley and Manuel seem to have moved past these issues. They appear together on social media and look as happy as ever. However, if they don’t improve their communication, they will continue to face the same problems. If their time on 90 Day Fiancé: Happily Ever After? is any indication, Ashley and Manuel are each guilty of not being fully honest, which is not sustainable for a marriage.