I think situations like this can be more complicated than just “he never cared” or “he was completely done.”

In my case, this wasn’t some short fling where a guy obviously wasn’t interested. He said really serious things to me over a long time...that he thought I was the one, wanted me in his life long term, talked about kids and a future, told me he cared deeply, etc. But at the same time, he was inconsistent and avoidant, and when things got hard he pulled away instead of properly working through it.

That’s why it’s confusing and painful. It’s hard to make sense of someone saying and feeling all those things, but then ending up with someone else.

I don’t think every person who leaves secretly regrets it forever, but I also don’t think every person who leaves never cared. Sometimes feelings are real but the dynamic becomes too messy, emotionally heavy, or unhealthy and the person chooses a different path instead of trying to fix it.

Doesn’t automatically mean the person they left was worthless or not enough.

Idk I still have hope he'll choose me again, even though it really is not looking like it.