It hasn’t even been a year since Bella Varelis was rejected by Locky Gilbert during The Bachelor 2020 finale, and her subsequent, iconic question of “Can I leave?” became one of our favourite moments of the season.
WATCH BELOW: Locky does not choose Bella during the Bachelor finale
The 26-year-old social media influencer certainly isn’t hung up on her reality TV ex, but on Wednesday shared a rare and personal insight into their relationship.
In an Instagram Q&A with the theme of assumptions about her, Bella responded to a fan who suggested that she didn’t really love Locky, 31.
“I wasn’t in love with Locky, but I did love him,” the brunette beauty wrote alongside a photo of herself and Locky sharing a passionate kiss during filming.
“I wouldn’t allow myself to completely let my guard down up until I knew I was the last girl standing. I wasn’t going to let myself be all in with someone who couldn’t be all in with me, even though he was telling me it was going to be me, something felt off so I held back.”
She added: “Moral of the story: always trust your instinct ladies.”
Bella also responded to a fan who suggested that she thinks about what could have been if Bachelor Locky had chosen her over winner Irena Srbinovska.
“Straight after filming ended, yes, this was on my mind until the show finished airing on TV,” she admitted.
“After that, I quickly realised how grateful I was that it happened the way it did, I wouldn’t want my life any other way.”
In another post, she refused to confirm or deny her alleged new romance with boyfriend, Will Stokoe.
One fan shared their assumption: “You have a new mans you’re keeping to yourself for a little while,” to which Bella responded with an emoji holding a finger to its lips, implying that it is indeed a low-key relationship for now.
The Bachelor runner-up was recently spotted with photographer and influencer Will at Sydney’s Balmoral Beach where the couple were snapped kissing before packing up their things and leaving.
Back in September, Bachelor fans were left stunned when Locky proclaimed his love to both Bella and Irena – the latter of whom he is still dating today – and then broke things off with Bella the next day.
The former Survivor star tearfully admitted that whilst he had fallen for her, her uncertainty regarding the future was the thing that made his decision.
Many flocked to Bella’s defence on social media after the surprise dumping.
“I just watched a 6’5” man with ‘strength and honour’ tattooed across his chest sobbing pitifully so a 25-year old woman would console him before he dumped her…” one mused on the night of the finale.
“He shouldn’t have told either of them that he loved them until he made up his mind. Hurting Bella like that was completely unnecessary,” another penned.
In an exclusive chat with Now To Love after the finale, Bella admitted that she wished Locky and Irena well in their relationship.
“I think he did have well enough intentions, and I don’t think he spitefully wanted to hurt anyone,” she said of her Bachelor ex.
“But I do definitely know now that what you see in the media or on screen is usually not true, or a very small part of the story. He does have a good heart but it just wasn’t meant to be for us.”
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