A friend close to Paula Broadwell has revealed that the author and Harvard graduate now regrets her affair with former CIA Director David Petraeus.

Paula Broadwell is apparently dismayed that Petraeus was obligated to resign from his position at the CIA and now regrets beginning the affair, according to a close friend who spoke under anonymity with the Associated Press.

Broadwell and her husband did not issue any comment to reporters, who were waiting as the couple and their two sons arrived back home in Charlotte, N.C. Petraeus and Broadwell have avoided media, both allegedly stating a desire to focus on family instead. Broadwell's husband did however suggest that a statement could come soon, according to AP.

On Sunday, Broadwell's friend, who wished to stay anonymous, stated that Broadwell "deeply regrets the damage that's been done to her family and everyone else's, and she is trying to repair that and move forward."

But Broadwell still has her critics, who question the sincerity of her regret.

"I'm sure she does regret the damage - but only because she was caught," one user said on the ABC News blog. "If she'd not sent threatening emails, her affair would not have been uncovered at this time."

Follow us

A second user agreed and added, "This woman is upset because she realized that the fantasy land she created in her head wasn't real and she made a fool out of herself in front of a whole country."

But others have argued that the affair should not divert attention from the facts behind the case, nor should Broadwell's family be forced into the spotlight.

Questionable files were recovered from Broadwell's personal computer, and could lead to the author facing criminal charges due to the classified content of the data.

"In the grand scheme of things, the affair is a mere blip and nobody should be concerned with it," a third blog comment read. "Benghazigate is where the focus needs to stay, and, the fact that Broadwell committed a federal crime by having classified [information] in her home. Her kids shouldn't be subjected to leering, crazy press people. Hopefully, the stupid affair part fades quickly."