Heather Gay Finally Reveals Who Gave Her a Black Eye on “RHOSLC”: 'I Had to Lie for Her'

The 'Bad Mormon' author provided long-awaited answers as to how she wound up with a black eye on Tuesday's season 4 finale after a late night of partying last season

The mystery of Heather Gay's season 3 shiner is finally solved.

After nearly a year of speculation, Heather confirmed it was former Housewife Jen Shah who gave her a black eye during Tuesday's season 4 finale of RHOSLC.

The revelation came during one of the franchise's most dramatic scenes yet when Heather and costars Lisa Barlow, Meredith Marks and Whitney Rose confronted rookie Housewife Monica Garcia for her alleged involvement in the Instagram troll account Reality Von Tease.

Heather likened her suspicions of Monica's behavior to former BFF Jen, who is currently serving a five-year prison sentence for her role in a long-running telemarketing scheme.

"We are friends, and we have been through this b---s--- before with Jen," she exclaimed, adding the women "shut down feelings of doubt" with the ex-Housewife.

"I went on book tour and defended her and took s--- for the fact that she gave me a black eye," Heather said sternly.

The rest of the women were shocked by the admission, with Meredith immediately asking, "What?" and Lisa gasping, "Woah," across the table. Heather continued, "I had to ride hard for [Jen] and I had to lie for her. We're not going to do it again with you," before telling Monica to "pack her bags and go."

Heather wound up with a black eye on the left side of her face after a late night of partying with castmates Jen and Meredith Marks in San Diego during season 3. At the time, it was unclear exactly how the Bad Mormon author was injured as Bravo cameras weren't rolling at the time.

Heather's mysterious injury remained a topic of conversation throughout last season, and she called the incident "humiliating" during part 1 of the season 3 reunion in January 2023. She also offered no answers about how she got the black eye at the time, despite previously telling cousin and castmate Whitney Rose, "I think we all know what happened, I just think we don't want to talk about it."

"I don't know how I got the black eye," Heather claimed during last season's reunion. "I blacked out. I don't know what happened. ... I cannot speak to anything other than I walked to my room and I blacked out and I woke up with a black eye."

Related: Heather Gay Admits 'Humiliating' Truth About 'RHOSLC ' Black Eye as Bravo Confirms Investigation

Since the incident aired last year, many speculated that Jen was responsible for Heather's black eye as the two were partying together late that evening — and she was the first person Heather called the next morning.

"I trusted her the most," Heather told Andy Cohen during the season 3 reunion, adding that she initially wanted Jen's help creating "a cover story" while she tried to figure out what happened.

"If I knew Jen did that, I would cover it up, but that was not my intention," Heather continued. "I was blacked out. Anything could've happened. I still don't know how it happened."

Despite Heather claiming Jen gave her a black eye on the season 4 finale, she didn't share further details. Jen also has not addressed the incident from prison.

More details about the black eye will, however, be shared during the three-part reunion, with part 1 airing next week.

Related: Heather Gay Says She's 'Smarter and Wiser' Since Calling Jen Shah the 'MVP' of 'RHOSLC' in 'Bad Mormon'

Heather and Jen met shortly before filming the first season of RHOSLC and quickly became close friends. The Beauty Lab + Laser owner even stood by her former BFF's side when Jen was arrested in March 2021 and subsequently charged for her role in a telemarketing and fraud scheme.

"Everything changed when she pled guilty," Heather told PEOPLE in February 2023.

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Part 1 of The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City reunion airs on Tuesday, Jan. 9 at 8 p.m. ET on Bravo.

For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!

Read the original article on People.