Heartbroken

I tried to help a woman in need during the pandemic. It started so innocently on my behalf, never once thinking she was lying to me. Later, I had to accept I was duped, scammed, or whatever else we want to call it. I loved her from the beginning as if she was my child/daughter and I think this is what was so hard. How can someone tell you they love you, look you in the face and tell you they are not lying only to find out, after 2.5 years of salary later, it was all a lie. Do I believe she loved me as she called me mom, yes, but the drugs were so much more powerful, this too was a rude awakening for me.