Chapter 24: Something about Ashton

Andreas’s POV

There was something off about Ashton. It wasn't just a fleeting impression; it was a nagging suspicion that had been growing stronger with each passing day. It was as if a switch had been flipped during our trip to Aspen, transforming the woman I'd married into a subdued, almost unrecognizable version of herself.

Before our trip, she'd been a turbulent whirlwind, her quick wit and unwavering self-centeredness a constant source of irritation and a stubborn streak, that while admirable in some ways especially when it came to how she dealt with the rest of my family, had often made her difficult to deal with. She'd been a woman of strong opinions, quick to argue and slow to compromise. But now, she seemed quieter, more subdued. She was almost too polite, too accommodating as if she were playing a role.

At first, I attributed these changes to her efforts to finally try to win my family’s approval. Perhaps she was trying to be more demure and sensitive, to make a good impress