What began as a promising connection forBacheloretteKatie Thurstonended in flames whenGreg Grippomade his shocking exit just before the finale.

“I was completely blindsided,” Thurston, 30, tells PEOPLE of the heated conversation in which Grippo, 28, accused her of dismissing his feelings and holding back her own. “Greg received validation from night one with his first impression rose. It is unfortunate that it went the way that it did.”

In the moment during their breakup, “I felt like I did something wrong, like, ‘What could I have done better?'” says Thurston, whogot engaged to Blake Moyneson the season finale.

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Katie Thurston and Greg Grippo.abc (2)

Katie Thurston and Greg Grippo

And ultimately, despite the feelings she once had for Grippo, Thurston says had he stayed on the show, she still would have ended up with Moynes.

“The outcome would definitely have been the same,” she says. “Greg’s Hometown [date] was a little off. It was almost like I saw it coming before it happened. Something didn’t feel right. With Blake, it was always so easy and natural.”

Blake Moynes and Katie Thurston.Craig Sjodin/ABC

THE BACHELORETTE - “1709” – After an unexpected and heartbreaking departure before “hometowns,” Katie is nervous but excited to continue the journey with her three remaining men in New Mexico. With stakes at an all-time high and the pressure of meeting loved ones, she tries to balance falling in love with fairness – but keeping her emotions held close leads to a tense fallout with one of the guys. Can Katie patch things up enough to convince him (and herself) to stay, or is she ready to quit her journey for good? An all-new episode of “The Bachelorette” airs MONDAY, AUG. 2 (8:00-10:00 p.m. EDT), on ABC. (ABC/Craig Sjodin) BLAKE MOYNES, KATIE THURSTON

In the end, “I have no regrets,” says Thurston. “[The process] was harder than I expected, but it’s really made us stronger as a couple and it’s made me feel very confident in where I am with Blake. He is the one for me.”

source: people.com