Melissa Gorga and Teresa Giudice aren't the only ones feeling the toxicity of their bitter family feud.
Melissa opened up about how her and Joe Gorga's ongoing rift with his sister is negatively affecting their kids—cousins Antonia Gorga, Gino Gorga, Joey Gorga, Gia Giudice, Milania Giudice, Gabriella Giudice and Audriana Giudice—on The Real Housewives of New Jersey's Feb. 28 episode.
During Teresa and fiancé Luis "Louie" Ruelas' Love Bubble Party celebrating their engagement, Melissa had an icy conversation with nieces Gia and Gabriella, with Gia crediting the awkwardness to not having seen their aunt in some time.
"Every time my mom and Zio Joe have drama, automatically the kids get separated," Gia explained in a confessional. "Like, a wall just goes up."
Melissa also acknowledged the coldness between them, adding in her own confessional, "It's just sad, because I truly love the girls deep down inside and I know they have hate for us. I know they do. It's terrible. I wouldn't wish this on anybody."
As for Joe, he skipped the event, saying he wasn't ready to see his sister amid their still volatile relationship.
Later, Teresa and Louie gave a speech and thanked their guests for attending the event—but not without a shady remark from the bride-to-be.
"You guys are our chosen family," the Bravo star announced. "Everyone here is really special to us, so thank you so much for coming. We love you from the bottom of our hearts. I wouldn't want anyone else here but you guys."
RHONJ's Margaret Josephs immediately called Teresa's comment a "dick thing to say." "I don't think chosen family was exactly the right words to say when your brother's not there," she added in her confessional. "It's hurtful. You have to think before you speak."
Melissa reacted to her sister-in-law's word choice by telling her co-stars, "This is Joe's only family member and he's not here. That f--king sucks."
After excusing herself to go to the bathroom, Melissa broke down in tears over their strained relationship.
"At certain times I try to be strong for Joe, but I have my own breaking points," she admitted in a confessional. "I just don't get it, these subtle digs. Like her 'chosen family' now. What about all of the people who have been here for so many years when she was away, driving the girls to dance. I was the one pulling up to her house. That all means nothing and I know that Joe's at home very upset."
The Real Housewives of New Jersey airs Tuesdays at 9 p.m. on Bravo.
(E! and Bravo are both part of the NBCUniversal family)