Need advice on difficult breakup
I'm coming out of a most difficult and painful breakup of a 3 year relationship. :sad2: I want to add it's a long distance relationship, but for 3 years we were so emotionally close - spiritually, emotionally as well as physically. (Although seeing each other infrequently was the most difficult part, when we couldn't be together in person, we'd speak on the phone nearly every night, email and chat online each day). We had always felt we were soulmates. We loved each other so much. Well, I loved him at least - he's always claimed to feel the same, but looking back now, I highly doubt it.
I'd like to blame the distance for our breakup, but it doesn't make it easier to take. He recently met a lady whom he'd had a casual fling with, telling me it was only a one night stand, but still she was a special lady - although she was independent and wanted nothing more than that one night together. But after their night together, he'd been so indifferent towards me. Avoiding me, making me feel lucky that he even talks to me. And verbally abusive as well. He told me he suddenly had mixed emotions, and wanted something more casual from me, and couldn't do the "sweeping love scenes" anymore. He tells me he still loves me, though "not as intensely" and would love for us to get "back to good", but he knows it would be unfair to me because his feelings aren't as strong as they were. Heaven help me, I loved him so much - and after 3 years of all we've shared, I feel so empty.
It hurts so much because only a few months ago he was telling me how he's love me "forever and always", his "true soul mate".
He says he knows he's crazy for "letting me go", but he can't be what I want. He tells me he still has feelings for me and will always love me, "Though not in the way you want me to".
So what now? I still love him and miss the way we were. Yet I know, because of the distance and his nature, he can't be faithful. he's even admitted he'd f*uck any woman who offered. I told him I'd still like to be friends, but it's getting more impossible, because it hurts each time we talk.
Any advice and insight will be much appreciated.