Brittany Cartwright Says Jax Taylor 'Did Not Cheat' Before Split but They Were 'Not on the Same Page'

The couple announced their separation in late February on their joint podcast

Brittany Cartwright is setting the record straight on the speculation surrounding her separation from Jax Taylor.

The Valley star, 35, addressed rumors that the estranged couple's time apart was driven by an affair while sharing the status of their relationship and their living situation.

"The truth is, is that we have just been fighting and not on the same page for a while now and it was just becoming a negative space in our own house," Cartwright told E! News. "I just don't want that for our son [Cruz]. I don't want him growing up thinking it's normal to live like that."

Related: Jax Taylor Insists Separation from Wife Brittany Cartwright Is 'Not Divorce': 'We're Together'

She added, "Jax did not cheat on me, but we got into a very bad fight and I decided to pack up my stuff and I've been staying in an Airbnb since January 24."

According to the reality star, she and Taylor have been living apart for a while and only went public with the news when eagle-eyed fans began to notice that the pair were not in the same house.

"The only reason that I felt like I had to announce was because the Instagram sleuths literally realized that I was staying at a different house and rumors started spinning going crazy everywhere," Cartwright continued, adding that her decision was made to preserve her "mental space.

"And I feel very strong with my decision to get out for a while," she said.

Related: Brittany Cartwright Says Her 'Focus Is on Being the Best Mom' to Son Cruz amid Separation from Jax Taylor

On Feb 29., the Vanderpump Rules alumni announced their separation after four years of marriage.

"Many of you guys have been asking me about Jax and I and our relationship," Cartwright said on their joint podcast When Reality Hits. "I just think it’s important to be real and honest with you guys because our life is definitely — we’ve shared so much of our life with you guys. So, I feel like ... I don’t want to seem like I’m lying or anything like that so I think it’s important for me to say this."

"I know on my last podcast, I alluded to many marriages go through rocky times," she continued. "Yes, marriages in general are very hard and I've had a particularly rough year this past year. Jax and I are taking time apart and I made the decision to move into another home to take some space for the sake of my mental health."

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The Valley premieres Tuesday at 9 p.m. ET on Bravo.

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