“The Rookie” is putting Tim Bradford through the wringer in Season 6. It all came to a head in Tuesday’s aptly titled episode, “Secrets and Lies,” which saw sins from Bradford’s past catch up with him in the present – and ultimately, drive him to break off his relationship with his former trainee turned girlfriend, Lucy Chen (Melissa O’Neil).

The first five episodes of Season 6 foreshadowed trouble in paradise for the fan-favorite couple, lovingly dubbed #Chenford on social media, but Tim and Lucy’s breakup will no doubt come as a shocker for fans who waited through a four-season slow burn before the couple finally came together.

And it was a surprise for Eric Winter – the actor behind Bradford – too, though he welcomes the storyline.

“I didn’t know anything was coming, in regards to them separating this season when they just officially got together last season!” Winter told TheWrap. “I did know that there might be some trouble in store this season, I didn’t know it would lead to where it got. Which I welcomed, funnily enough, even though it is a new relationship.”

As for why he welcomed it, Winter recalled conversations with O’Neil and series creator Alexei Hawley. “We’ve always been very mindful and respectful of this relationship, to the point that we just want it to be authentic and real on every level,” Winter said. “It’s not always happy. It’s not always hunky dory in relationships, you’re gonna have ups and downs you’re gonna have struggles. Tim’s a very complicated individual, so I always knew there’d be bumps in the road this season.”