RaisingKay,

Well, look at it this way: what exactly did you lose? You wrote that you were with a man who you claim is actually unfaithful because you wrote "he is not loyal to any woman." And, this former friend of yours has a reputation for being conniving and manipulative.

What it sounds to me like, is you were in a relationship with the wrong guy from the start, if he left you for your former friend. No man leaves a woman unless he wants to; even if he's being led away by another woman. If a man truly loves the woman he's with, no amount of manipulation from another woman, who's competing for his attention, will work on him. So, I wouldn't mourn the loss of that guy, based on what you wrote. Consider yourself lucky, actually. You deserve to be with a man who won't stray from you or the relationship, no matter what challenges happen.

As for your former friend who is the conniver. Learn to be more picky with who you choose as close friends, and who you should put in the acquaintance category. Of course, that is always a challenge, because real jerks can disguise themselves as the nicest, kindest people to your face but then stab you in the back when you least expect it. But, if you learn to keep the gates of self-disclosure shut, and only open them with people who have earned your trust, then you will choose better people to be in your circle of friends. That's been my experience anyway.

Just consider this group of people a life lesson. We all have them, all the time. I left a huge group of friends when something similar happened to me. Whenever I think about what they did to me, it still upsets me. But, they were toxic to my well-being, and they didn't support me on my life journey, as far as being friends who bring something beneficial to your life do.