Vicki Gunvalson 'Struggling' After Brooks Ayers Cancer Scam

Reality has set in for Real Housewives of Orange County star Vicki Gunvalson! After the veteran Bravolebrity was accused of lying about her involvement in her ex Brooks Ayers' cancer cover-up, a close friend of the 53-year-old veteran housewife told RadarOnline.com exclusively that she is still extremely upset about the entire situation.

"Vicki was really, really struggling for a while after that all went down," the insider said. "She is a tough cookie, but she also has a soft inside and that whole incident hurt her emotionally."

"No one will know whether or not she actually knew what was going on except for her and Brooks," said the source.

"She will definitely figure it out because she always does. But Vicki really became the target and that just wasn't fair."

As RadarOnline.com previously reported, after being outcast by the rest of the housewives because of her alleged lies, Gunvalson went on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen, 47, and publicly apologized to her costars.

But – unfortunately for Gunvalson – they didn't buy it!

"The women on that show are out for blood," the insider told RadarOnline.com. "When they are against someone they are all extremely vicious."

"They went after Vicki to take her down and that is the bottom line. I feel bad that she had to go through that, regardless of if she lied or didn't lie. She is a human being and that really hurts."

Do you think that Vicki Gunvalson deserves to be forgiven? Tell us your thoughts in the comments.