The Bachelor’ Recap: Grant Ellis Says ‘I Love You’ to Litia Garr, Admits ‘Maybe I Should’ve Waited’

The Bachelor: Grant Ellis Navigates Love, Vulnerability, and Tough Decisions

Grant Ellis, the 31-year-old star of The Bachelor, found himself in a whirlwind of emotions during the March 17 episode as he narrowed down his final three contestants: Juliana Pasquarosa, Litia Garr, and Zoe McGrady. The episode, filmed at the luxurious Secrets Tides Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic, was filled with overnight dates, heartfelt confessions, and unexpected moments of vulnerability. Each woman brought her own unique story to the table, forcing Grant to confront his feelings and the challenges of falling in love with multiple people.

Juliana Pasquarosa and Grant: Opening Up About Pain and Love

The episode kicked off with Juliana, who met with Bachelor Nation alum Daisy Kent, the runner-up from Season 28. Juliana confessed her fears about the fantasy suites, stemming from her past experiences with infidelity. “I was cheated on for so long. He had a bunch of chicks on the side,” she revealed, her voice trembling as she opened up about the emotional scars left by her ex. Daisy, who had her own share of heartbreak, encouraged Juliana to be honest with Grant, a piece of advice Juliana took to heart.

Later that day, Juliana and Grant embarked on an ATV adventure, where he expressed his growing feelings for her. “This week is hard, but I want to let you know that I think about you a lot,” he admitted, acknowledging how scary it was for both of them to open up. During the evening portion of their date, Juliana broke down in tears as she shared how her ex’s infidelity had left her feeling “minimized” and “broken.” Grant, visibly moved, reassured her that love could help heal those wounds. “That’s what love is for, it fixes you,” he said, telling her he saw “treasure” when he looked at her. The two spent the night together, and Juliana left the date feeling hopeful and heard.

Zoe McGrady: A Missed Opportunity?

Next up was Zoe, who met with Rachel Nance, the second runner-up from Season 28. The two had a heart-to-heart about Zoe’s journey with Grant, with Rachel expressing shock over Zoe’s lack of one-on-one time with him. The conversation was particularly poignant as Zoe and Grant prepared for a silent yoga date, a unique but somewhat awkward setup given the lack of verbal communication. Despite the challenges, Grant opened up to Zoe about his father’s struggles with addiction, showing a deeper side of himself. While Zoe seemed to connect with Grant on an emotional level, it was clear she lagged behind the other two women in terms of relationship progress. Still, the two decided to spend the night together, leaving Zoe hopeful but uncertain about her place in Grant’s heart.

Litia Garr: A Heartfelt Connection and a Major Confession

Litia, who struggled with the idea of Grant being intimate with other women, met with Kaity Biggar, the winner of Season 27. Kaity, who had her own share of challenges during her time on the show, shared her experiences with Litia, recalling how she broke down when Zach Shallcross revealed he had been intimate with another contestant. Litia, who is Mormon and has chosen to abstain from sex during the fantasy suites, confided in Kaity about her fears and boundaries. “I have to make choices to protect my feelings and my peace, so sex is just, like, not on the table for me,” she said.

When Litia and Grant finally had their date, they tackled the tough topics head-on. Litia explained her decision to abstain from sex, emphasizing that it was about protecting her emotional well-being. Grant, respecting her boundaries, acknowledged the importance of intimacy but also agreed that it wasn’t the foundation of a relationship. “It’s not the foundation because when you make that your foundation, [your relationship] is not built the right way,” he said. Their conversation deepened, and Grant dropped a bombshell: “I think the maturity that you bring is big. I like the ground that you stand on, and I know where your priorities are, and I know what’s important to you—it’s what you are on the inside that I can see myself with you. And see you as my wife, because I do love you.” Litia, overwhelmed with emotion, replied, “I love you, too.”

Grant’s Emotional Struggle and the Rose Ceremony

As the episode progressed, Grant found himself grappling with the reality of being in love with multiple women. After spending the night with Litia, he confessed to the cameras that this was only the second time in his life he had said “I love you”—and he was now falling for not just one but two women. “I do love her, but I also am falling hard—and, if not, very close to—in love with somebody else. I never thought it would be possible to be in love with multiple women,” he admitted, expressing his fear of making the wrong choice.

At the rose ceremony, Grant made the difficult decision to send Zoe home, leaving Juliana and Litia as his final two. As the episode closed, fans were treated to a sneak peek of Grant’s conversation with his family, where his mom expressed concerns about how everything would unfold. Grant himself hinted at the drama to come, warning viewers, “Stay tuned for my demise.” With the finale just around the corner, all eyes are on Grant as he prepares to make the ultimate decision. Will he choose Juliana, with whom he shares a deep emotional connection, or Litia, the woman he’s already envisioning as his wife? The season finale of The Bachelor airs on ABC Monday, March 24, at 8 p.m. ET, and it’s safe to say it’s going to be a wild ride.