Alexis Bellino Shows Off 'Promise' Ring Gifted to Her by Boyfriend John Janssen: 'I Love You'

Alexis Bellino is continuing to flaunt her love for her new beau John Janssen in more ways than one.

For Christmas, Janssen gifted the Real Housewives of Orange County alum a promise ring, which she promptly showed off on Instagram.

"Words cannot. Actions do," Bellino, 46, captioned the post. "I will no longer feel guilty. I will not apologize. Love will create it's own story. I love you Johnny J. 🎄♥️."

Bellino's post also included "Love Wins," "Not Engaged" and "Promised" in hashtag form.

But Janssen's gesture has since received mixed feedback from fans. Though the comments section on Bellino's post are muted, many RHOC viewers have voiced their opinions within the comments sections of fan accounts.

"This is Alexis securing her spot on RHOC," one user suggested via the Best of Bravo account's reshared post, referencing rumors of her possible return.

"A promise ring at 46 is wild," another person said while a third viewer shared, "If anyone gave me a promise ring, I wouldn’t have told a soul unless I was 15 years old."

Bellino is ignoring the naysayers. In response to the criticism, she shared two photos of the new couple and wrote: "Johnny J, let everyone talk."

"You have shown me love that I've never known," she added. "I love you ❤️ #thisisourchristmascard #merrychristmas."

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PEOPLE broke the news of Bellino's relationship with Janssen, 61, earlier this month. The duo met in November through mutual friends at Orange County eatery The Quiet Woman.

At the time, a source indicated that they weren't "using labels like boyfriend or girlfriend, but they've been spending a lot of time together and have been enjoying learning about each other."

Janssen previously dated Bellino's former RHOC costar Shannon Storms Beador. He ended the relationship in late 2022 after three and a half years of dating, but Beador told PEOPLE earlier this year that she "was blindsided by the breakup."

"All I can do is repeat in my head what he said to me while we were filming," Beador said, reflecting on what led to the split. "We were in a great place. But seven days later, when the cameras were down, it was a completely different story. He told me he was done with the relationship. And to hear what he said to me then was absolutely devastating."

"I've never loved anyone more in my life," Beador added of Janssen. "I was hopeful this was the man I was going to spend the rest of my life with. I wanted it to work out. I've never loved anyone like I've loved John. But clearly, he didn't feel the same way."