Golden Bachelor’s Carol Freeman-Branstine Breaks Down ‘Tough Decision’ to Leave Mel Owens’ Season  (Exclusive)

The Golden Bachelor star Carol Freeman-Branstine is explaining the reason behind her decision to leave Mel Owens’ season early.

“It was a tough decision, it really was,” Carol, 63, exclusively told Us Weekly at the Golden Bachelor Gal’s Brunch on Thursday, October 16. “I never really been the one that leaves, so it was a new beginning for me.”

During the Wednesday, October 15, episode of the reality TV dating show, Carol told Mel, 66, that she planned to go home in the middle of a group date because their relationship hadn’t progressed enough to justify staying.

“I did feel like he was connected to me, [but] I want someone connected to me and choosing me first,” Carol explained. “I decided what’s best for me, and I have to protect my heart, as well.”

She added, “Yes, I wanted to fall in love, but in the end, I have to be OK with myself, as well, so I decided to part.”

After Carol went home, Mel narrowed down his remaining ladies down to his final three going into hometowns. Debbie Siebers, Peg Munson and Cindy Angelcyk Cullers all received roses at the end of Wednesday’s episode.

“I’m not surprised [by] those three. They definitely all had the best connection,” Carol told Us of Mel’s picks. “I think it’s a good three [and] it’s going [to] be tough to choose from those three, I have to say.”

According to Carol, the remaining contestants are “all completely different” from one another.

“He really didn’t give us any direction this season because … I don’t know which direction he’s going,” Carol said on Thursday. “I don’t know [what] makes it so strong, but I just know that you can see the connection with each other.”

While Carol doesn’t know how Mel’s season will end, she does believe that he could find The One by the finale.

“I think he could. I mean, what are you gonna wait for?” she quipped. “He’s already graduated from college, he has his career. It’s not, like, we have to wait [until you] get out of school. I think he should.”

Mel previously told Us that all of the women on his season were truly incredible.

“The women are great, and you’re going to see that they’re great,” Mel told Us last month ahead of the Golden Bachelor season premiere. “They carry the show. They’re wonderful, and they’re feisty and smart, and truly, you’re going to see the passion from them. It’s a great, great show.”