I understand your friend's bitterness, she put her heart and money in that relationship and he took advantage of her.
As for your relationship, that man has serious problems, I do not think that if the relationship had continued and formalized you would have had a normal and healthy relationship, so I support your decision, I believe that money is needed and with the effort of a couple truly committed to making things work things can be achieved and love will not be lacking.
Well said Ma'am. It takes two to make a relationship work. Thank you for reading me.