Uproar broke out after the news of Vampire Diaries costars Nina Dobrev, 24, and Ian Somerhalder, 34, officially split about a month ago. After three years of dating, it was a quiet breakup (well, for Dobrev and Somerhalder at least). Fans dug for information about what really went on. Some nasty speculations of cheating arose from a suspicious Tweet by Ian about how people change, but the answer was much simpler: Dobrev isn’t ready to settle down.

The ten-year age difference probably has everything to do with this. A source close to Dobrev tells Life and Style, “{Somerhalder} was starting to talk marriage and she is just getting started on her career.”

Since Dobrev and Somerhalder work together on the CW’s most popular show, the Vampire Diaries, they do unfortunately (or fortunately for us) have to run into each other. Just recently, at the CW’s Upfront event in New York City, Dobrev and Somerhalder stood beside CW Network President Mark Pedowitz on stage. An insider tells US Weekly that Dobrev was teary eyed and looked sad to see Somerhalder, as she walked a few steps ahead of him when they exited the stage.

“She loves him, and they still talk every day, but she is just not ready to make that huge commitment yet,” the insider continues, “Maybe in ten years.”

Dobrev and Somerhalder decided to remain close friends.

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