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Last week's episode of The Bachelor SA ended on a cliffhanger when Marc Buckner didn't give one of his early favourites a rose.
Shocked and hurt, Jessica Ross didn't immediately leave the rose ceremony, as she wanted some answers from the 36-year-old after he told her that he felt that he was being manipulated by her.
Jess didn't understand and was in disbelief, revealing to Marc that there were no signs, and demanded to know why he didn't bring anything up in the past two months or on their date a few days ago.
She ended with: "I told you I'm an honest person, and clearly you don't want honesty. I don't know. I don't know if you're here for the right reasons. I don't know. I've been regretting everything."
The conversation carried into the latest episode. The 28-year-old was in tears when she said: "I don't understand, because I don't know how that wasn't real. If it was then I wouldn't be here right now. I'm just going to go, there's nothing else you can say."
WATCH IT HERE:
Jessica and Marc's relationship on the show took off after he invited her on an overnight getaway date to Namibia. The fashion designer was clearly smitten with him and even sneaked him a love note during the rose ceremony, which upset the other women in the Bachelor mansion.
READ MORE: Jessica R on her love letter to the bachelor: 'The ladies were feeling threatened by me'
The pair didn't have another one-on-one date after that, but their relationship blossomed, despite the tension with some of the other women in the house.
During their romantic hometown date, Marc said it felt like 'high-school sweethearts'. Jess, in turn, enjoyed spending time with him and admitted that she was developing feelings for him.
(A ROMANTIC HOMETOWN DATE: Marc and Jessica on a picnic in Cape Town. Photo: M-Net)
Going into her final rose ceremony, Jessica never expected the huge disappoint coming her way.
In a statement on her Instagram account, she thanked everyone who has supported her during her time on the show and shared her reason for applying to be on the show.
She wrote: "I applied for this show because I am ready to meet my life partner and decided to try something a little different. I am looking for a man that wants to grow with me and be committed to a long-term healthy relationship. A partner in crime. A shoulder to lean on. I know I am a strong person, I have been through a lot (we all have!) and I just need to know that I will have someone who can support me when I need it the most."
About Marc, she said: "Marc has proven to me that he was not my man, and that's ok. I need a man who will not run from conflict but will instead be open and express and discuss his concerns in a positive way, rather than turn a blind eye and ignore. As I'm sure some can relate to, I struggle to show my vulnerable side, and don't like to admit when I feel weak. But when I am brave enough to let someone see my weaknesses, I need a man who is compassionate and who will be there for me emotionally."
"I do believe that you meet people for a reason and I learnt my lesson through this experience. I am always stronger than I think. Always," she said about her time on the show.
Jessica ended the post by saying that she doesn't need a man to make her happy or complete her - and that she will not settle.
"I don't need a man to make me happy or to complete me. I will not settle for anyone who doesn't deserve or value me. I love my life, family, friends and career and one day, I know my person will come along and everything will make sense. All the heartache and pain over the years will all be worth it. Until then, I am very happy to be a strong and independent woman who doesn't need a man beside her to define her worth."
SEE THE FULL POST HERE:
Who will Marc give the final rose to? Tune in to The Bachelor SA finale Thursday, 28 March at 19:00 on M-Net (DStv 101).
