As time passes and we reflect on the people who have crossed our paths—both personally and professionally—we often start to see the reality behind the masks. One of the more painful realizations is discovering that some of those we called “friends” were in fact taking advantage of our trust and openness.

These individuals often present themselves as supportive, repeating words of care and encouragement. But in truth, their actions are driven by self-interest. They convince you that they are helping you realize your dreams, when in fact they are using your ideas, energy, and goodwill to serve their own goals.

You share your ambitions openly, with sincerity—only to find them manipulated or even used against you. You stand by them in their times of need, but they later rewrite the narrative to make themselves look generous or selfless. Some even fabricate stories to maintain control and admiration. Their dishonesty becomes a pattern, and they seem to feel no shame, regardless of their age or experience.

The irony is that a sincere person often defends the deceiver—because real friends don’t want to believe that someone they trusted could act with such intent. And that’s how the cycle continues.

So I return to the question: Should we regret such friendships?

Perhaps not. Regret is for what was once truly valuable. These relationships teach us more than they take—they sharpen our awareness, and help us become more discerning in the future. Most importantly, by sharing such experiences, perhaps others will learn to protect themselves better and recognize the warning signs earlier.

Have you experienced something similar—where personal trust and professional collaboration were exploited under the illusion of friendship? How did you respond, and do you feel regret—or just a deeper understanding?