"I just want peace" — Love is Blind: UK star Nicole returns engagement ring to Sam

Love is Blind: UK released Episodes 5-9 on Netflix on Wednesday, August 14, 2024. Having enjoyed the romantic retreat at Corfu, Greece, the couples returned to the U.K. to practice living together and see if they were compatible with each other in the real world. While most couples worked on consolidating their connections, one underwent major changes.

Nicole initially got engaged to Sam but started doubting her decision after leaving the pods. She felt she made a mistake by choosing him over Benaiah, the other cast member she connected with. In Episode 5, the Love is Blind: UK cast member broke up with Sam, reunited with Benaiah, and later got engaged to him.

When Nicole met Sam at a party in Episode 8, she decided to draw closure by returning the engagement ring and the bracelet he gave her.

"It feels so good to give Sam the ring back. I just don't want any connection to that relationship. I just want peace," said Nicole.

The cast member wanted to move on from Sam because it affected her relationship with her fiance, Benaiah, who believed Sam participated in the experiment with disingenuous intentions.

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Love is Blind: UK star Sam believes Nicole broke up with him due to their lack of intimacy

When Sam arrived at the party, he did not feel welcome. Benaiah reluctantly greeted him and hesitated to have a conversation with him. While speaking with Ollie, Sam revealed he felt "frustrated" by the treatment he received because he harbored no ill feelings for anyone.

He approached Nicole, asking her for a conversation. After an exchange of pleasantries, Sam revealed he wanted to talk to her about their relationship. He wished they could discuss the unresolved issues and find closure.

"We didn't have the final kind of chat that you probably should have," said Sam.

The Love is Blind: UK cast member stated he proposed to Nicole "for a reason" because he believed their connection in the pods was genuine. He mentioned he did not make decisions "lightheartedly" and wanted "to finish the experiment" with her.

He questioned Nicole about her decision to reconnect with Benaiah. Nicole explained she did not know she had feelings for Benaiah when she let him go. Meanwhile, she accepted Sam's proposal because she knew she loved him. However, after they exited the pods, she realized they "just weren't right."

"I thought you were my person in that pod when you proposed. I did, okay? I just think that we just weren't right. I just don't think there was what I felt I needed," said Nicole.

Hearing her statement, Sam realized she was talking about their lack of intimacy. Previously, he refused to get physical with her because he wanted to take things slow. Although the Love is Blind: UK cast member prided himself on being a "true gentleman," he believed it prompted her to sever ties with him.

Nicole mentioned that the ways they expressed affection also differed. It made her see how incompatible they were as a couple.

"I'm quite, like, a physical touch person. That was the way for me to really see if this was it. The feelings it should feel, it wasn't feeling it," noted Nicole.

She then returned the ring and the bracelet he gave her. Although Sam requested her to keep them, Nicole insisted on returning them. She attempted to explain why it was important for her to give it back.

"When I accepted this it meant everything at that time. You know what I mean? If I keep it, then it's still weighing on Benaiah and I's relationship. So I wanna give it to you," said Nicole.

The Love is Blind: UK cast member accepted the ring, thanked her for clearing the air, and hoped he could remain friends with her. During her confessional, Nicole stated that with that closure she wanted to be "done with any disagreement" that Benaiah and she had over Sam.

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Love is Blind: UK will return to Netflix with Episodes 10-11 on August 21, 2024.