Here’s Why Brittany Cartwright Filed for Divorce From Jax Taylor

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Brittany Cartwright didn’t file for divorce from Jax Taylor on a whim. Instead, as an insider has shared, the filing was a “long time coming.”

Hours after Brittany, 35, officially requested a dissolution of her five-year marriage to Jax, 45, a source revealed what led up to her decision as they also shared how Jax has reportedly responded to his estranged wife’s desire to end their “tumultuous” relationship.

“[Divorce is] something Brittany knew she had to do for the best interest of herself and her son,” an insider explained to PEOPLE on August 27. “[She filed] in order to move forward and put a stop to this tumultuous cycle they’ve been living in.”

“There’s a lot that has transpired over the past few months that she could not look past,” the insider added. “This decision wasn’t made lightly but she feels adamant that it was the right one.”

As fans will recall, Brittany announced her separation from Jax in February on their shared podcast, When Reality Hits With Jax and Brittany. Then, weeks later, on the debut season of The Valley, fans watched as the couple’s marriage began to unravel.

Although Brittany and Jax were at odds over a number of things, including their potential plans for more kids, Brittany’s filing may have come as a surprise to Jax, who was seeking mental health treatment in an in-patient facility up until his alleged exit from care last week.

“[Jax] is feeling mixed emotions [and] knows this is ultimately the right decision but is sad that things ended up the way they have,” the source shared. “It’s been an emotional month for him and he’s trying to stay strong for his son.”

Brittany’s divorce filing, in which she cited “irreconcilable differences” and requested full legal and physical custody of her and Jax’s three-year-old son, Cruz Michael Cauchi, came just days after another insider suggested she didn’t want “anything to do with him.”

“Jax will be returning to filming The Valley for season two after completing his stint at a mental health facility. It’s been a tough time for him. He had been in treatment for the last 30 days,” the source told PEOPLE. “Brittany was supportive of Jax’s decision to seek help for their son’s sake. However, going forward, she’s not interested in having anything to do with him.”

“At this time, the pair aren’t capable of being in the same room together or being in communication with one another. Brittany has reached her limit and remains strong to do what is best for herself and her son,” the insider continued.

After filing for divorce, Brittany took to her Instagram page, where she told fans she was “getting [her] sparkle back.”

The Valley season two is currently in production and expected to premiere on Bravo sometime later this year or early next year.