So, it wasn't a very long thing, a little over a month probably. No actual scamming, no money exchanged hands, I didn't disclose any sensitive personal information on myself, so there's no safety concerns or anything... But it still kinda hurts more than I want it to.

I was suspicious at first, but went along with it even knowing it could be catfishing. After they shared their first couple of clear pics I did my due diligence and researched but couldn't find anything for them. I kept this up but after a while I stopped suspecting and just grew to believing them instead.

We had fun chats, some relatively deep and intimate conversations, definitely some 'spicy'/'after dark' chats too... When they alluded to having problems with stress and mental health, I began genuinely caring and rooting for them. I'd been really looking forward to their messages, they really made my day. I wasn't quite falling in love (yet), but if I'm being honest, certainly somewhere on that path...

Someone else outed them, but I hadn't seen that yet. Then the catfish messaged me an 'I'm so sorry' message. First I was confused, worrying they hurt themselves or something, but then I saw the 'outing'. It took me a couple minutes to realize it wasn't a doxxing, but a catfish callout instead...

I feel stupid for not catching on, I'm sure if I kept up the due diligince I'd have found out myself. And now I hate how much I cared... feels like quite the gut punch even though it could have been way worse. I guess I'm bummed about losing a fun conversation partner, a brighter part of my days...

I later got another, longer guilt ridden response and apology, telling me the problems they talked about were real (I asked about that, painfully), and that they appreciated the support, but are really sorry and are leaving...

On the one hand I'm happy to have gotten the apology instead of a straight up ghosting... but on the other hand it almost seems to hurt me more.