The Bachelor star Colton Underwood is opening up about Cassie Randolph's emotional and dramatic departure from Season 23.

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"I was shocked," Colton, 27, told People of Cassie's decision to quit ahead of their overnight Fantasy Suite date. "I had no idea it was coming."

RELATED LINK: 'THE BACHELOR' FRANCHISE COUPLES NOW: WHO IS STILL TOGETHER?? (PHOTOS)

Cassie determined she must leave the competition after speaking to her concerned father, Matt Randolph, who advised his daughter in Portugal not to rush into anything considering she didn't even seem 100 percent sold on Colton or in love with him.

Cassie expressed her doubts and hesitation to Colton about their future together, but then Colton professed his love for the 23-year-old assistant speech pathologist from Huntington Beach, CA.

Colton insisted Cassie was The One for him and she'd definitely be the last woman standing -- whether she was ready for an engagement or not -- but Cassie still opted to quit and head home in fear she would never fall in love with The Bachelor star and continue leading him on.

"It was right back into the trap of loving somebody who wasn't quite there with me," said Colton, who was also dumped by former The Bachelorette star Becca Kufrin after expressing his love for her. "It was very hard for me to hear."

Colton actually received warnings from several of his bachelorettes about Cassie's intentions earlier in the season.

Tayshia Adams, Kirpa Sudick, Katie Morton, and Sydney Lotuaco all let Colton know a couple of the girls -- including Cassie -- were not ready for an engagement or marriage, and that Cassie seemingly wanted to land The Bachelorette role.

RELATED LINK: 'THE BACHELOR' COUPLES NOW: WHO DID 'THE BACHELOR' STARS AND THEIR BACHELORETTE PICKS ACTUALLY END UP MARRYING? (PHOTOS)

But Colton admitted to People he didn't really care what other contestants had to say about his romance with Cassie.

"I don't get to see what's happening when I'm not in the room," Colton explained.

"When I'm in that relationship, it's based off my feelings and my gut and my heart. These women are entitled to their own opinions and I respect that, but they're not in that relationship."

Colton added, "I just didn't know where Cassie was at and I tried to get those answers. [But] in my opinion there were no red flags."

Although viewers saw Colton storm off The Bachelor set, jump a fence, and threaten to quit production following Cassie's sudden exit, the show will apparently go on.

"You'll see a very important conversation I have with Chris Harrison and with my dad that plays an important role moving forward," Colton revealed. "It's definitely emotional."

Now that Cassie is gone, Colton will have to determine whether he wants to settle for Tayshia or Hannah Godwin on The Bachelor or follow his heart in a different direction.

The Bachelor: Women Tell All special airs on Tuesday night at 8PM ET/PT, and then the finale of Season 23 will air as a two-night live event next week.

RELATED LINK: 'THE BACHELORETTE' COUPLES NOW: WHOM DID 'THE BACHELORETTE' STARS AND THEIR BACHELOR PICKS ULTIMATELY END UP WITH?! (PHOTOS)

To read spoilers on how Colton's The Bachelor season allegedly ended and what's the current status of his love life, click here.

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About The Author: Elizabeth Kwiatkowski

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