'I'm Proud of Myself'

Brittany Cartwright opens up about finding her strength as she navigates her split from Jax Taylor

- JAIME HARKIN & AMANDA WILLIAMS

It’s been over two months since Brittany Cartwright moved out of the L.A. home she shared with her husband of four years, Jax Taylor. Since then, she’s been taking stock of their nearly decade-long relationship. “I’ve forgiven Jax for things that I shouldn’t have over the years. I stood by him no matter what. But after nine years, that can wear on you,” Cartwright, 35, shares. The Kentucky native and Taylor, 44, are currently starring in the hit new reality series The Valley (Tuesdays at 9 p.m. on Bravo), which follows the couple and their friends as they navigate parenthood and marriage.

Cartwright announced the separation in February on the duo’s podcast, When Reality Hits. “Jax and I are taking time apart,” she revealed. (The pair share son Cruz, 3.) The Vanderpump Rules alum tells Us she still doesn’t know what the future holds for her and Taylor, but she’s confident she’s making the right decision for now. “I feel good,” she says. “I feel strong, and I’m proud of myself for doing what’s right for my mental health and my family.”

What was the final straw?

We were fighting a lot. After the last big fight, I packed my bags. It was over a story he made up in his head. I was like, “This is insane. This is a toxic situation and Cruz and I cannot live here.”

You said things got worse after The Valley finished filming. How so?