Just a quick thing - don't let other people's baloney drag you down. If they have a problem, it's THEIR problem, not yours. Let them be bitter and angry and mad in their own little world, even if their problem affects you. They can have their issue, but the way you handle the way it affects you is what stops it from becoming YOUR issue.
Rumors will ALWAYS be around because there will always be people who are unhappy with their own lives and feel the need to make up stories about someone else. The older I get the more surprised I am to discover that there are grown-ups out there who will always act like children. It's unfortunate, but again - it's not MY problem, it's THEIRS. Why let it bother me? Those people are the ones who have to live with themselves and their unhappiness. My life is wonderful - why would I let someone else's negativity bother me?
So when someone is giving you a hard time, as hard as it can be sometimes - just ignore it. It'll drive them crazy, and it will keep your heart happy. YOU make your happiness, so don't give anyone else an ounce of control over it. :)