Vicki Gunvalson and Brooks Ayers of 'Real Housewives of Orange County' Call it Quits

Real Housewives of Orange County stars Vicki Gunvalson and Brooks Ayers have officially ended their relationship. Gunvalson announced the split on Sunday (Aug. 16) in an amicable joint statement via her Facebook page.

The 53-year-old "O.G. of the O.C." and Ayers were in an on-again-off-again relationship for four years. In 2013, the couple announced they were calling it quits but soon made their way back into each other's arms in 2014 after learning Ayers was diagnosed with cancer. Although the two don't mention a specific cause for the termination of their relationship in their offical statement, certain factors portrayed on the show could be the reason.

Ayers has admitted to getting violent with his ex in the past. That isn't the worst of it. Not only has Gunvalson's daughter, Briana Culberson, openly expressed her dislike for Ayers, but speculations have also been floating around about Ayers faking his cancer diagnosis.

"After much prayer, thought, counseling, and consideration, we have decided to end our four year relationship," the couple wrote. "We both wish nothing but a great future for each other. We have come to realize that one can indeed love someone in their heart, but that the time may come for their lives to take separate paths."

"Though the remaining episodes of season 10 of The Real Housewives of Orange County will show us as a couple, the filming took place in January 2015 through May 2015. There will be no further statements or interviews regarding our relationship as we choose to move on with our lives. Though we choose to live our lives in the public eye we thank you for your understanding and ask privacy during this difficult time."

This has been a rocky period for Gunvalson. She also suffered the death of her closest friend, her mother, while filming the 10th season of the show. Gunvalson's RHOC co-stars remained very supportive while she grieved the loss of her mother. Will the women show the same respect towards her breakup?

Fans of the show can continue to watch their relationship play out on the smallscreen Mondays at 9 p.m. ET on Bravo.