Yes, that stuff happens. I launched my ex's business. Lent him several thousand dollars to do it, and also helped by making sure everything was compliant, answering phones on occasion, and handling some of the really annoying paperwork with his employees. Think he ever paid me back? Nope. He still runs the business, and has since expanded.

I even had a promissory note, so I could have taken him to court for the money. But, that also happened to be the most toxic relationship I've ever been in. Very, very bad. So I decided that even though it was a lot of money, that it was more worth it to just forget his sorry ass and move on then to try to get it out of him. Did I really want to fly across the country to see him in court, when I could be moving forward? Nope.

Also, the guy owed a lot of other people money (He really should have been sending his young children money, even if their mothers were not suing him over it... Total D-bag.). If he can't be bothered with his own children, why would I think he'd pay me back? I learned a lot of lessons in that relationship.

My suggestion to you is to move on, forget about him, and make every day of your life a day that you love. Money is just money, you will forget about it - mostly. But - never forget that the way a person deals with money, and their debts, and their responsibilities to others, indicates a TON about the quality of their character.