All my life I have been taught to take the high road and never to dignify salacious or false accusations and I have been taught never, never to lie.
I really don't think life is about the I-could-have-beens. Life is only about the I-tried-to-do. I don't mind the failure but I can't imagine that I'd forgive myself if I didn't try.
Hence the end of the world should be awaited with all longing by all believers.