Cassie Randolph is putting Colton Underwood breakup rumors to rest, insisting The Bachelor couple is still together and happy -- but also making it clear she's still not ready to get engaged to Colton.

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Cassie took to Instagram on Wednesday to address "current rumors circulating" and "an article that came out this week" scrutinizing her relationship with Colton, who starred on the Season 23 of The Bachelor early this year.

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Cassie posted a long, passionate rant about the state of her romance as well as her feelings for Colton in attempt to set the record straight.

"I remember posting this photo right after the finale & how excited we were to no longer be in hiding," Cassie captioned a throwback photo of Colton and herself hugging, along with a heart emoji.

"I have also posted something I wrote addressing some rumors and an article that came out this week. A lot of you have been messaging me about it."

Cassie is seemingly referring to an Us Weekly article that was published on Tuesday claiming Colton has talked about proposing marriage to Cassie in the "next few months."

Us reported, however, Cassie and Colton are "dealing with mismatched feelings" in their relationship, as a source apparently told the magazine, "[Colton] definitely has stronger feelings than she does" and Cassie is scared about getting engaged because "she is still very young" at age 24.

Cassie warned her followers in the caption that her post was pretty long, writing, "(Actually I probably could have written even more, since it's hard to put the perfect words to your feelings). TLDR: Public relationships have challenges. Colton and I are good & happy."

Cassie went on to post four images of small text, explaining her side of the story in her own words.

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"I just wanted to take this time to be very transparent with you all. This past year has been nothing short of amazing and life changing. I'm so grateful for all the new things that have come into my life, but it's also meant a lot of change and change isn't always easy," Cassie shared.

"I usually try to ignore any negativity people send my way, but I keep receiving dms and messages about current rumors circulating. First, I know I am in the public eye and willingly put myself here by going on the show (although, I was truly unprepared for the gravity of what that meant!) and I understand that scrutiny of my life and my relationships just comes with the territory."

Cassie said while the scrutiny is a hurdle, she tries to keep things in perspective.

"Colton and I are very happy and our relationship is in a good place. Is our relationship perfect? No, it is very normal with its ups and downs and compromises. Despite the microscope on our relationship, we are trying to stay focused on what is important and grow in the direction of getting stronger and closer every day," Cassie continued.

"We know that in order for us to work, we need to focus on each other and not the craziness that sometimes surrounds us, and stay grounded. We are good!"

After noting both of their families have been super supportive, Cassie wrote, "While so much good has come out of being on the show, it has, at times, been a difficult growing experience too. Sometimes it is overwhelming to balance a new relationship, new work and social opportunities, the demands of grad school/internships, friends, family and the public eye."

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"At times the stress has made me question what the heck I am doing and those close to me have also questioned me as they see me burning the candle at both ends and at times more stressed than I should be. Some of the changes haven't just affected my life, but those close to me too."

Cassie elaborated, "I don't mean to sound ungrateful or complaining about anything... I know I have it good, but it doesn't take away from the hurt that is caused by people who thrive in negativity and spreading gossipy rumors... Colton and I are happy in our relationship and taking things at our own pace."

"At the end of the day, this is about the two of us and our real lives."

Cassie went on to say being in a public relationship has its own set of issues to manage, as their every move has been "analyzed" and "dissected."

"At times it can feel like our relationship status isn't just a matter of our own happiness, but other people's happiness too. Strangers (most well meaning, thank you!) are so wrapped up in our relationship's success or failure that this can create an unhealthy pressure and at times it's caused me to question the reliability of my own feelings," Cassie wrote.

"This also adds stress not only on us, but those close to us too as they just want us to be happy."

Cassie therefore suggested she's still not ready to get engaged although reports have swirled Colton is totally prepared to take that next step in their relationship.

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"Obviously the nature of The Bachelor is to end in an engagement, but when you translate that to real life and not tv land, it's pretty crazy! Many people I know have been dating much longer than I've been dating Colton, but people rarely ask them when they are getting married," Cassie reasoned.

Cassie said she understands this perception of her relationship is due to the fast-paced environment that is The Bachelor, but she still called it "unnatural."

"Most relationships don't have people scrutinizing your photo body language, or have people criticizing or over inflating the subliminal meaning behind your every expression together," Cassie explained, adding that scrutiny adds an extra complicated layer to her relationship.

But Cassie concluded her post by gushing about how The Bachelor experience has bonded Colton and herself and also been a lot of fun.

"It's such a unique experience that going through this has definitely drawn us together. Sometimes something will happen and I can't even find the words to explain how I feel to others but Colton and I can just look at each other and get it," Cassie shared.

"Not only have we developed a deepening love for one another, but an amazing friendship bond has grown from this too. Bottom line, even though our relationship was born out of crazy and unnatural circumstances, our goal is to develop a healthy, NORMAL relationship as much as possible."

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Cassie then insisted she and Colton are "together today" because they "BOTH WANT to be."

Cassie also wrote, "What happens in the future between us is to be determined. We've found that when we put too much focus on the future, we miss out on the present and enjoying the moment. We both are learning so much in this and more than anything, we are both right where we want to be... happy... thankful... learning... growing!"

Many fans have been questioning whether Cassie reciprocates Colton's strong feelings for her ever since The Bachelor's 23rd season aired on ABC earlier this year. (The finale aired in March).

Colton chose Cassie over two other women, Tayshia Adams and Hannah Godwin, by the time of his overnight Fantasy Suite dates, which was a very premature decision when taking into account the show's typical timeline.

But Cassie decided to quit the show at that point because she wasn't in love with Colton, nor could she envision herself getting engaged at the end of the process.

Colton, however, refused to give up, and after dumping both Tayshia and Hannah G. in Portugal, he begged Cassie to simply give him a chance and date him -- with no expectations of an engagement.

Cassie obliged and then traveled to Spain to meet Colton's family while cameras were still rolling. Once the show ended, Cassie claimed on The Bachelor: After the Final Rose she had slowly fallen in love with Colton in the real world.

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But the couple's romance continued to be a slow burn. For instance, Colton relocated to the Los Angeles area after the show aired to be closer to Cassie, but they didn't even move in with each other.

Colton told Extra back in April he could picture himself proposing to Cassie "within the next year," but then Cassie told Us a month later, "We really don't have a timeline... We're just enjoying right now and not worrying about it."

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About The Author: Elizabeth Kwiatkowski

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