Best bet, is move yourself somewhere new for your own sanity,(sitting in memory filled granny flat of what used to be is horrible on the mental) lose the guys number and don't let mutual friends know your location, occupation, wage and relationship status until you are happily comfortable to do so in a new relationship/life/situation.

This talk is so very related to them wanting another person and keeping you dangling while they pursue them guiltfree because they said they are not in a relationship anymore.

(I have a pair of friends a guy&girl who have done this numerous times when they have a chance with another sexual partner.)

Exact same scenario every time and neither of them can admit it's just a jerk move to keep the ex on hold while sealing the deal with new person.

I never worried until the guy did this to the mother of his kids and the girl started giving advice to me on how healthy relationships works after binging tiktok for a few years and never having a relationship last longer than a few months...

Then I had a sit down and told them they are both to old at 31 & 34 to be doing this to people. (Been happening since we where 17 & 20, atleast 7 times between them, that I know of.)