I think the problem lies with him solely and not with you at all.

He's lead you on, in some cases quite obviously, into believing something that can be and I'm not surprised you thought what you thought because that's the message he was sending out to you.

As for him using his ex girlfriend as an escape goat - well that's just nonsense on his behalf. If he knew that was a factor then why did he get into an on / off relationship with you?

By him implying or stating that he has zero feelings for you - shows that he wasn't the right person for you and not visa versa. Why did he start such an intimate relationship with you then.

Don't let this guy who's played you for a fool define yourself or your definition of love. The only fake reality is the one that he himself created by not backing off months ago.

I still believe from what you've written that you are making progress in many areas of your life.

We don't handle "rejection" very well and I'm not surprised the jerk has left you with self doubt, but you are better than that!