@Intrepid,
I'm so sorry Intrepid. I've read this thread from beginning to end and I couldn't see it.
Yes, as Brooke stated, I would have treated the situation the exact same way if he was a woman. The last person I defended here was a woman and even though she gave me a run for my money, I have no regrets. She wasn't playing with me, even if some still don't agree.
Here, however, I have regrets. I know I shouldn't because I was just doing what has always come natural to me.
I broke into tears after reading everything here today. It was all just a game and I couldn't see through it.
This is going to be one of those experiences that I end up chalking up as a lesson learned, unfortunately, the pain is still there.
I never wished more that I could rid of my compassion than I do now because all is does is cause me pain. You'd think after everything I've been through in my life that I would just stop feeling anything, but the beat goes on and on and on, following with the constant pain it brings me.
I'll wipe my tears once again and walk away. I was wrong.