Avoidantly attached man blocked me after opened up emotionally - I apologized, but now there's only silence.

Hi everyone,

l've been struggling a lot emotionally and would really appreciate some insight - especially from those familiar with avoidant attachment styles. I was seeing a man who I strongly suspect has an avoidant attachment style. In the beginning, we had a genuine connection. We shared similar values, the same sense of humor, and our time together felt natural and safe. He made an effort, wanted to see me, and there was definitely something real between us.

But slowly, things shifted. He started pulling away - cancelling plans last minute, taking longer to reply, and eventually becoming distant. I stayed patient for a long time, but the mixed signals became exhausting. I finally reached a point where I expressed how hurt and confused I felt, My message was emotional, yes, but not cruel. I told him I felt like he didn't want to invest in us and that I felt rejected and not enough.

His response was cold and dismissive. He toldme to stop messaging him. that my "deep I he didn't want toanalysis" was too much read it. It was clear he was feeling overwhelmed. Then... he blocked me on WhatsApp

After a day or two, I sent him two text messages (SMS - since WhatsApp was blocked). In them, I apologized sincerely for the way I had expressed myself. I acknowledged that my words might have come across as blaming or intense, and that it wasn't my intention to hurt him. I also told him I understood if he needed space, but that I cared about him, and I wished we could have had a calm conversation instead of everything ending like that.

Now it's been 7 days of complete silence. l've respected that and haven't contacted him again. But emotionally, this is tearing me up. What hurts the most is that this wasn't a clear breakup - it was more like a sudden emotional shutdown. And know that for him, apologies mean a lot. I thought that maybe, after reading my messages, it would open a door. But nothing.

I can't stop thinking: if we had something real, if he truly cared, wouldn't he eventually come back? Or is the silence and blocking a final answer?

Has anyone been through something similar - with an avoidantly attached person suddenly shutting down and then eventually coming back after time and space?