My(F22) boyfriend(M27) is feeling absolutely nothing. I want to know if he's falling out of love or is depressed ?

Me(F22) and my BF (M 27) have been together since the last 3 years. Let’s call him Ace. Apologies for any errors as english is not my mother tongue. The relationship is pretty normal. We used to live in the same city till last year’s August but then, I had to move back to my hometown. Currently, we are in an LDR.

For context- Back in July, he had to go to prison due to some business dealings for a month as he took the fall for his mum. I wasn’t even aware at first that he was in the prison because i couldve been targeted and only two weeks later, i got to know. His father also suffered from a stroke a while back and almost passed away. Fortunately he’s alive but his right side and speech is completely gone. He is trying to gain mobility but it’s a long journey. Part of the reason why i had to move back to home sooner than i had expected was because of the prison thing. It was a high level politician included controversy and my parents wanted me out of there asap. His family and i are extremely close. Me and his sister are bff. His mum would tell me everything first in case of any major things- good and bad. His mum is also pressuring us to get married before he turns 30. My family is warm towards him too but they are not very up for marriage anytime soon.

Ace’s work is filled with extreme pressure and so, i try to make his life as easy as possible. He moved from his city too and is now living at another place with his bff because he’s full time trading now. I know how it sounds but he has been profitable from the last 3+ years and genuinely knows that he would be able to make it in life.

Ace and I barely fight to be honest. We have had issues but never too big because I’m particularly not a very conflictive person. He has a close set of friends and he keeps him to himself. So i know that there’s not someone else in his life. No cheating allegations from either side fyi.

But the last year, has aged our relationship. Like for him, it was a terrible year. He is still one mishap away from losing his home and going back to jail. He and his mum are trying to fix things but it would take some time. The constant stress is definitely weighing him down.

I met him back in January for 10 days and it was good. We had a lot of fun and it was very much required. When i was leaving, he cried a lot and so did i.

But from a couple of days, he has been telling me that he is emotionally so numb. Like he doesn’t feel anything. In his line of work, he has to be emotionless. But he is worried that his stoicness would affect our relationship. He is so numb that if i even leave him tomorrow, he would be sad ofc but he wont feel it too much. I wouldn’t lie and say that it didn’t hurt me. He is the same man who used to say there’s no life if I’m not there.

And then yesterday, i asked if he was depressed cuz if sounds like passive depression to me. But he was like nah, i dont feel sad but i just dont feel anything at all. And last night, i told him that i understand that he is going through a tough time but i hope that later he can revisit his feelings and truly feel things. Cuz he’s only 28 and so young. Relationship only for the sake of it being long termed doesn’t make sense. I’ve always told him that if he ever falls out of love, to let me know and we will fix it together. If we are not able to then we will end. I feel the love i have for him in my bones and i would want someone to also make a conscious decision of loving me.

Everything is okay on the surface but i don’t think that he’s okay. I am trying to be supportive but i don’t know how else to help. Part of me feels like he’s falling out of love or is massively tired. The life we have tried to build is slipping away very slowly and I’m feeling helpless. I don’t know if i should just give him time or if it’s not salvageable at all.

Thanks for any help at all.

Tl, dr; bf of 3 years went through a terrible years including prison, dad’s stroke and financial uncertainty. He says that he is numb and i dont know if he’s depressed or falling out of love.