Thanks for the advice with softening the tone, rr22!
He has sent another email in reply, saying that we don't need to speak to resolve everything but would like us to communicate a bit. So I've agreed to a phone conversation for tonight.
I'll have to think about being a good listener. And making sure I don't choke on tears. He has told me he doesn't like it when I cry because it makes him feel bad for making me suffer.
