Well, just to make it clear:
I was successful before because the guy was a complete dick - verbally abusive, cheated on her, etc. She was only with him for as long as she was because she was emotionally attached to him partly due to the fact he took her virginity and wasn't the type to break up with someone no matter what. She eventually did when I showed her I could give her much more.
Fast-forward, she began to like me whilst in the relationship, but broke it off with him to be with me. It didn't work out in the end because it was emotionally draining to "fix" her. Nonetheless, I am 100% certain I gave her back some light that was taken away from her, and helped her learn to trust another person again.
I only feel like I'm a jerk because, more often than not, people who do this ARE jerks who are trying to steal people for sheer entertainment (to realize self-worth, enjoy sexual contact, etc.) but I do it simply because I don't like seeing people who deserve much better with someone that doesn't treat them like it.
Obviously, I'm not saying I have some superpower to detect if a person is being a jerk or not, but I do a lot of "relationship counselling" with the person before-hand. I tend to get along with them quite well, I'm emotionally supportive, and I simply like to cheer people up. It just ends up at the point where we both develop feelings for each other and that's how I justify doing something like this.
I'm not saying I'm going to forcefully get them to do things behind their back. Emotionally, sure - but shit like that happens all the time. I still believe I'm within reasonable boundaries. I don't try to hold hands, kiss, or have sex with the person when they're still with someone. In many countries, that's wrong. I'm not THAT much of a scumbag, if at all.
If a person was abusive to you non-stop and/or you simply don't feel compatible with them and stay in the relationship because you feel like you have no one else to go to, wouldn't it be entirely reasonable to develop feelings for another person who makes you feel happier and desirable? Of course most people would break up with the person they're currently with before they actually pursued anything further than friendship. |