The Other Woman

I was talking with a friend today about a situation she was in. A mutual friend of ours had been involved with another woman's man for quite some time now, and asked us for our advice. Her "love interest" has been in a relationship with his girlfriend for a little over two years now and has been physically and emotionally involved with her (who previously had a serious relationship with him in the past) for the past six months. As time passes by, her feelings for the guy continue to grow stronger and vice-versa. However, the guy isn't showing much interest in breaking up with his current girlfriend.

For this reason, my friend is debating whether she should break it off before it gets messy or should she wait around for him to break up with his girlfriend. She keeps reiterating that she has a strong emotional attachment to the guy and trusts that his love for her will make him leave his girlfriend. However, if this was the case, why hasn't he done it yet?

Because of his infidelity and her naivety, she has now become "The Other Woman".

Usually when someone asks me advice on a situation, I try my best to use less judgement and use a more constructive, assertive approach. But there are a few thoughts about her situation that crosses my mind:

1. If she were to stay involved with the guy, the situation will eventually get messy. What if they get caught? What if he never breaks up with his girlfriend and ends up stringing her along? What if he is just using her for physical activity? She would never have all of him because a piece of him would always be with his girlfriend. (She is obviously important to him if they've been together for two years)
2. If she were to stop all interaction with the guy, why now? If they have been involved for over six months, what difference would it make whether they stopped in the beginning, now, or later? Whats done is done! She has already disrespected him and his girl's relationship, and is just as responsible as he is. How would it affect her emotionally if they were to call a quits?
3. How would she feel if she was in his girlfriend's position? Suppose he DOES break up with his girlfriend to be with her, how would it affect their relationship? Would she be able to trust him? Would she resent him for how they "got back together"?

I know how much my friend LOVES this guy, so I couldn't really tell my friend what I thought she should do about the situation, even though I knew it was something she needed to hear.

What would you do if someone told you to let go of the person you love MOST in the world because the timing wasn't right?

Do situations like these ever end happily, or does she have false hope?

Thoughts????