For context, Zanab said no to her then-fiancé Cole at the altar – telling him he had “insulted”, “disrespected” and “criticized” her.
At the reunion, Zanab accused Cole of controlling what she ate and making disparaging comments about her body throughout their time together – both on and off camera – causing her to stop eating.
One scene that has generated quite a bit of comment online is when Zanab described a time when she went to eat two oranges and Cole asked her: “Are you going to eat them both?” The producers then included a clip of Cole saying this, but many accused Zanab of exaggerating the negative tone of the incident or even outright lying about his treatment of her.
On Instagram, Zanab responded to the criticism and started with an open letter to Cole. She wrote: “I fought for us until I couldn’t anymore. I know you know. I know you know why I said what I said. I know you know what you did. It’s okay if you’re not ready to talk about it yet.”
She then continued, “An apology to the internet: I’m sorry. I’m sorry you weren’t in this relationship. I’m sorry you didn’t feel what I felt. I’m sorry we don’t have the same triggers. I’m sorry for defending myself, I hurt you so much. I’m sorry you didn’t understand all the reasons for what I said.”
She also said, “I’m sorry you didn’t go through it with me. I’m sorry you don’t know me. I’m sorry your insecurities are different than mine. I’m sorry your online hate says a lot more about you than it ever will about me ».
Responding to people who claimed she was trying to provoke Deepti when she satisfactorily dumped Shake in Season 2, she continued, “I’m sorry Deepti’s wedding was a week before mine, way before you or I knew her story.”
She continued, “I’m sorry you don’t believe me. I’m sorry you know how worthy I am. I’m sorry you have time to be a keyboard warrior. I’m sorry I’m not a paid actress. I’m sorry I can’t cry when I ask. I’m sorry you feel manipulated, sod and you play. I’m sorry for being your villain. I’m sorry for being your villain—I promise I’m not.”
He concluded: “One thing about me, I choose my words carefully and stand by everything I said.”
The post was shared by Raven and Colleen, the latter of whom added, “Forever standing with you Zae.”
Alexa added to her own story, “Clementine’s story is irrelevant. I don’t like bullies and I will always stand up for those who are right.”
We’ll keep you posted if Cole has anything to add.
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