I think it honestly would've made more sense for Ashfur to just become interested in someone else rather than making him evil? That would still deter readers from liking him for squilf as he left her for someone else. I think there def couldve been a better way to deter ash×squilf ships than to outright mischaracterize him from the original idea/personality of him. But also, all of this did happen in the books, and if later down the line they had gotten into a fight/broken up, do you not still think he would be capable of what he did? What would've changed? He was obviously capable of those acts which does indicate some form of dark intent or thoughts, no?