She had been talking to him for five months. They met at a coffee shop, where he struck up a conversation while they were both waiting in line. He was charming, confident, and had an easy smile that made her feel instantly at ease. They exchanged numbers, and he texted her that same afternoon. The conversation flowed naturally, moving from casual small talk to deeper topics with surprising ease. They discovered shared interests, shared values, shared dreams. It felt like the beginning of something real.

Over the next few months, they grew closer. He texted her every day, sometimes multiple times a day. He called her on his way home from work, just to hear her voice. He remembered the details of her life, asking about her sick mother, her stressful job, her dreams of traveling the world. He made her feel seen, heard, and valued. He made her feel like she mattered. When they were together, he was attentive and affectionate. He held her hand, kissed her forehead, and looked at her with an intensity that made her heart race. He was everything she had ever wanted in a partner.