This article was originally published on PEOPLE.
On Sunday’s all-new episode of Real Housewives of Atlanta, the 45-year-old former Miss Universe made the tough decision to give boyfriend Matt Jordan a second chance.
The reconciliation came after a month apart for the couple. Moore had insisted on the split after Jordan became violent while they were on vacation. She explained the break on the show’s season nine premiere.
“When we were in Mexico, Matt checked my phone,” she said. “He didn’t know who I was texting, and next thing I know, he kicks in the door. He just starts grabbing my things and throwing them all around the room.”
“Matt lost control,” she added. “And I’m not going to be in the presence of someone who can’t control their anger. That’s not going to happen to me, anymore.”
But as the days approached her housewarming party, Moore became nostalgic about her time with Jordan. While the two were only together for a little under a year, he had a big role in helping to renovate the property.
“It’s just weird,” she told friend Cynthia Bailey. “When I first bought this house, I didn’t have him in my life. I bought it because I just wanted it to be part of my future… And then months later, here he comes. He helped me repair, build, fix, love this house. And he loved it just as much. I eventually saw us being here together. This really could have been for us.”
Jordan had been trying to make amends for his behavior — sending Bailey flowers and telling her “I love you and I’m sorry.” But on Sunday’s episode, he made the bold choice to show up at Moore’s housewarming party and apologize in person.
“I did bad — I was wrong. I was really wrong,” the 29-year-old told Moore. “Nothing you should ever do should warrant what I said or the way I behaved. When someone’s yelling, you don’t know. And even raising your voice can almost make you lose your queen.”
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Moore explained why Jordan’s violent outburst was so hard for her to handle.
“When I feel like somebody has a loss of control and I don’t know what they’re capable of, I feel scared.” she said. “You were my protector. So for me to be afraid of you in that moment, I was just like, ‘I don’t know what to do right now.’ ”
She continued: “For me to put that trust in you to have it be betrayed the way I feel like you betrayed me, I feel like you have to build that trust up again for me to open my heart.”
He appeared to understand – and made it clear that an outburst like the one in Mexico wouldn’t happen again. “I have to do a lot of work to make you feel like I’m that proctor again,” he said. “If you allow me the opportunity to show you that.”
The two agreed to work on their relationship. Moore later confessed to viewers why she was quick to give it another chance — and told frenemy Phaedra Parks that “he’s really shown me that he wants the relationship to work.”
“Even though Matt and I have problems, Matt’s a man who truly loves me — who wants to do right by me,” she said. “Those type of men are really hard to come by. And the thought of starting over with someone new is really scary.”
While they may be taking it slow now, Moore’s friends appeared to be rooting for her and Jordan to find a way to make it work.
“He doesn’t always do well but I think he always means well,” said Bailey.
“Kenya seems happier when she has some meat in her life,” joked Parks. “So if Matt is the key to her being pleasant and happy — ooh Matt, please stay around.”