Secrets on the Yacht: Stacey Rusch Exposes Ashley Darby’s ‘Misstep’

In the upcoming episode of The Real Housewives of Potomac, tensions rise as Stacey Rusch opens up about her frustrations with Ashley Darby during the cast’s first group trip. While bonding on a boat ride, Stacey addresses the underlying conflict between her and Ashley, revealing both personal struggles and a surprising grievance.

Stacey Rusch Speaks Candidly About Her Divorce

During the boat ride, Stacey shares emotional details about her divorce, admitting she never anticipated her marriage would end. “I thought I would be married forever,” Stacey confesses. Although she has found someone new who cares deeply for her, she admits she cannot fully embrace this budding relationship yet.

“I have a man who loves me, but I can’t even start that relationship because I’m not done with my marriage,” Stacey reveals, hinting at the emotional complexities she’s grappling with. A flashback clip shows Stacey working out with her best friend TJ, where they discuss the challenges of navigating their relationship. TJ openly expresses his frustration with Stacey’s absence, highlighting the difficulties of their connection.

Conflict Over Words and Actions

The drama between Stacey and Ashley escalates when Stacey confronts Ashley about a previous conversation. Stacey feels Ashley’s comments diminished the importance of her new relationship. “In the way you spoke of him, I just felt you took someone special and reduced it,” Stacey tells Ashley.

Despite her frustrations, Stacey apologizes for the way she initially reacted to Ashley’s words. Gizelle Bryant, a fellow cast member, interjects, questioning whether Stacey’s critique of Ashley being “messy” affected her. Ashley defends herself, saying Stacey didn’t know her well enough to pass judgment, though Stacey points out that Ashley had spent considerable time at her house.

Then comes a surprising moment: Stacey accuses Ashley of crossing a boundary in a rather bizarre way. “You came back to my house and put your bunion on my marble countertops,” Stacey declares, leaving the group stunned. Producers humorously cut to a clip of Ashley resting her foot—wedge heel and all—on the counter, pointing to her bunion. Ashley looks visibly embarrassed as the scene plays out.

Ashley Offers Empathy—With a Warning

In a confessional, Ashley reflects on Stacey’s concerns about keeping her new relationship private from her ex-husband. Drawing from personal experience, Ashley cautions Stacey about the emotional toll of secrecy. “She doesn’t want her ex-husband to hear about this new best friend, whatever you want to call him. But I’m telling you from experience, it will eat you up from inside! It’s not fun for anybody.”

A Surprising Revelation

The boat ride takes another unexpected turn when Stacey shocks the women by revealing an intimate detail: she and TJ have not been physically involved. “It’s been a year,” Stacey admits, adding that TJ’s Christian faith plays a significant role in this decision. This revelation leaves the group stunned, adding another layer to Stacey’s complicated personal life.

As the episode unfolds, viewers will see how Stacey’s candid confession and confrontation with Ashley shape the group dynamic moving forward. With secrets, apologies, and surprising grievances in play, it’s clear that this RHOP trip is just the beginning of a season filled with twists and emotional moments.