Hearts across America broke for Robby Hayes on Monday, August 1, after the genetically blessed former competitive swimmer was dumped by Bachelorette JoJo Fletcher on the season 12 finale. During his appearance on After the Final Rose, the 27-year-old suitor confronted Fletcher after she made it seem like he was The One. Watch their reunion in the video above.
“Speaking of closure, you know, watching back the final rose … you say a lot of things that make me think that it should of been us,” Hayes told Fletcher during their sit-down. “[You said] that you love me, that your family thought it should’ve been me. … I’m asking now, with the time that has passed, is there anything that’s more clear as to why one love was stronger than the one love we had?”
Fletcher, who accepted fiancé Jordan Rodgers proposal during the two-hour-long finale, told Hayes that her bond with Rodgers was just stronger.
“I will be honest and say I did love you, but I said to you on that last day, no matter how I was feeling for you, my heart was always with Jordan,” the newly engaged reality star, 25, admitted. “I just couldn’t imagine ever saying goodbye to him.”
A composed Hayes concluded their conversation by telling Fletcher that he understood and respected her decision.
Although she felt awful for breaking Hayes’ heart, the season 12 Bachelorette couldn’t be happier with Rodgers, 27.
“I just want to tell you how I feel because I don’t know if I’ve done that fully yet,” the real estate developer told the former athlete before he popped the question with a stunning Neil Lane–designed ring. “Jordan, I love you so much, and I’ve been waiting to tell you how I feel. I just love you so much.”
Watch the video above and click here to watch Rodgers’ emotional proposal.
