To me, it sounds like he's detached quite a bit and yes, generally once the ball starts rolling on divorce, they follow through. In their minds they have do this no matter if it's the biggest mistake of their lives. Of course, when they say that they will always be there for you, they are hoping to be friends, but also thinking that you will be right where he left you, if he should ever wake up.
I completely agree with Job. Sounds like my H a year ago. If I would have started the D process, he would have followed through. I think what stopped him at a time was that I said that I want to hire a lawyer.
My H didn’t want the kids and I honored that. He knew I would not pull a surprise on him. He was operating on this trust until he realized that not every woman is as honest. There are some who will say that they don’t want the kids, but secretly hope for him changing his mind or they just get pregnant. This was the case with the cousin of our mutual friends, who H wanted to date. She told him that she didn’t want the kids, but my GF knew for sure that it was a lie and she wanted to have the kids. Well, my H finally had a vasectomy.
It looks like your H is very confused. I cannot explain the why he followed on your fantasy. Maybe be deep down he doesn’t want to lose you and just wants to leave an impression in case he decides to reconcile? I don’t know, I let the vets to chime in here.
M:50 H:52 S28 (my S from previous marriage) M:17 + 3 BD: 06/12 S: 06/12 - H works in another state
