Jason and Molly defend their relationship on "The Bachelor"

A day after "Bachelor" Jason Mesnick outraged Bachelor World by ditching fiance Melissa on national television and then professing his love for runner-up Molly on the ABC reality show, I don't know right from left, up from down. For once, host Chris Harrison actually came through when he promised the most dramatic and shocking moment ever in "Bachelor" history. I can't comprehend a world where I believe Chris.

On Monday night, Jason chose sweet Melissa, the 25-year-old Texan, over 24-year-old preppy Molly. "After the Final Rose," the follow-up episode to the finale, usually involves the Happy Couple talking about Happiness and Love. But Jason chose trauma instead, publicly breaking up with first-choice Melissa and confessing his love to runner-up Molly. So on Tuesday night, ABC gave us "After the Final Rose, Part Two," which I believe was an attempt to convince us "The Bachelor" can still result in Happy Endings. (Psst: Not even Chris Harrison can sway me on that count.)

But Jason and Molly were determined to prove they made the right decision because, you know, they did it all for love.

Jason didn't realize Molly was becoming his best friend during the show, he said. She is fun, exciting and challenging. In his view, Melissa would have been the ultimate wife, loyal and sweet, but he "followed his heart."

Molly also promised us that she grilled Jason thoroughly about the situation, but didn't elaborate on what exactly went down. There's no engagement, but they did look sort of happy. And Molly is moving to Seattle — i.e., Kirkland. We'll watch them with bated breath.

Jason left us with this kicker: "I had to hurt people in a way, but I feel I did it with integrity."(Well, the show is all about fantasies, right?) Oh, and Jillian — who made it to Jason's top three — will be the new "Bachelorette" when that show returns to the air in May. OK, I might watch. Will you? Are you still mad at Jason? Will you be nice or mean to Seattle's newest Bachelor couple when they show up in town?

Nicole Tsong: ntsong@seattletimes.com