Bachelor in Paradise season 10 has introduced a lot of firsts — a new location, new producers, and for the first time, contestants from The Golden Bachelor intermingling with younger Bachelor and Bachelorette contestants. And while viewers are still curious about the potential age-gap relationships that might blossom, it was the surprise reunion between exes Justin Glaze and Susie Evans that had viewers scrambling for answers this week.

For those catching up, Justin was the runner-up on Katie Thurston’s season of The Bachelorette, while Susie won Clayton Echard’s season of The Bachelor in 2022. Their paths never crossed on-screen, but sparks flew off-camera in late 2023. They confirmed their relationship in January 2024 and quietly split that summer.

Susie’s dramatic arrival to the beach left fans wondering if there was unfinished business between the former couple, so we’re looking back on their breakup to explore what went down between the exes.

Why did Justin & Susie break up?

In August 2024, Susie opened up about the couple’s breakup to People, calling it “complicated” and emphasizing their decision to stay friends. “What’s most important for us was that we just respect each other, love each other through whatever our relationship became… friendship first,” she explained. “We think so highly of each other. We respect each other.”

Later that month, on the Almost Famous podcast, Justin confirmed the breakup but emphasized they were still “on good terms.” “I’m very fortunate to have someone like Susie in my life,” he said. “We decided like, ‘We’re not gonna make some joint post. We’re going to figure this out together… and when we’re ready to talk about it, that’s what we’ll do.’”

What Happened When Justin & Susie Reunited on Bachelor in Paradise?

Naturally, their Paradise reunion from Monday night’s was emotionally loaded. The two hadn’t seen each other since their split, and Justin admitted, “I’ve just been in my head since I got here. Seeing you — it’s a lot to process. It’s hard.”

Meanwhile, Justin had been exploring a new connection with contestant Lexi Young — who was well aware of his history with Susie.

After a heart-to-heart with Susie, Lexi felt reassured enough to give things with Justin a real shot. “I am still in this, and I do still care,” she told him, prompting Glaze to say he wanted to “see if this can go somewhere.”

But then came the rose ceremony.

After Susie expressed concern about her future on the beach — noting Jeremy, her date, had stronger ties to someone else — Justin made a dramatic decision. “I feel guilty because I feel like a main reason why this experience has been better for me is because of you,” he told her. “You’re always the one getting the short end of the stick.”

When Jeremy gave his rose to Bailey, Justin turned to Susie. “You mean the world to me,” he said. “I told you no matter what, I would protect you and have your back. You deserve it.” She tearfully declined: “I can’t accept the rose.”

Lexi, blindsided, told producers, “I’ve just had this gut feeling the entire time that this would happen… but I decided to give it a shot because I had genuine feelings.”

Susie then returned to comfort Lexi, admitting, “I feel like [Justin] was trying to sacrifice his position for me to stay and meet people next week. It just should have been, Justin gives his rose to Lexi, and I go home.”

Instead, Justin walked off set, leaving both women — and the entire cast — confused.

Are Justin & Susie Getting Back Together?

It seems like no, but even “Paradise Relations” counselor Hannah Brown admitted she was rooting for a reunion. “You could feel the tension,” she told Us Weekly. “I’m not gonna lie, there were some moments where I just wanted them to rekindle.”

For now, it looks like that ship may have sailed — but this Paradise season is far from over.

Before you go, click here to see the most dramatic splits in Bachelor and Bachelorette history.