Give yourself space to feel hurt—grief and anger are natural, and forcing quick forgiveness only deepens the pain. Try to understand his perspective, even if it stings; people sometimes rewrite the past out of shame, not cruelty. Still, keep a small door open, because growth takes time and he may eventually realize what he lost.
Set firm boundaries to protect your well-being, and hold onto your memories for yourself—he may not cherish them the same way. If you reconnect, focus on building something new rather than fixing what should have been. Guard your heart, choose when and how you want to engage, and don’t give him unlimited chances.
Lean on people who truly understand and won’t judge your feelings. And if a relationship remains possible, even in a different form than you hoped, it may still be meaningful in its own way.