Molly*, 25, an administrator, thought she’d found The One – until he walked out on her without a word. When she tracked him down months later, she discovered his alarming new lifestyle. She tells Jeanne Tai her story.

*All names have been changed to protect their identities.

I still remember how I met Eric*, a co-worker, at a company event almost two years ago. He was handsome, athletic and boasted a ripped, gym-honed body.

"You've got the physique of a sports instructor," I told him playfully. Eric was flattered and we started chatting.

We were both in the civil service, but had never met as we were in separate branches. After our first meeting, we SMSed and e-mailed each other.

A fortnight later, we went on our first date. He was eight years older and certainly knew how to impress a girl.

Once, while we were exploring the Marina Bay Sands Skypark, he found me hotel bath towels after I said I felt chilly. When I was sick, he would call to check on me three times a day and bring me medicine and nourishing drinks. Being outdoorsy, we sometimes jogged together.

Once, I felt faint as we scaled a steep hill. I fell into his arms, quite literally, as he caught me.

As he fussed over me, he blamed himself for not being more attentive. I recall being on the verge of blacking out, all the while thinking, "Wow, what a guy."

Within a month, we were officially an item.

A personality change

The first couple of months with Eric were bliss. We would meet almost every day after work. We enjoyed working out together or going for a run.

Things progressed quickly. Eric started talking about our future together, suggesting that we get married within two years.

I was introduced to his family - he was Malaysian, and his family members lived across the Causeway.

I began staying over some nights at Eric's rented apartment here. But as quickly as it started, our fairy tale started to unravel.