It sounds like you were caught off guard by his request for a “pause.” It’s understandable that, after two years together, you’d be confused by the idea of stepping back instead of just addressing whatever was going on in the relationship.
Jack’s need for a “break” seems like it was less about you and more about him feeling lost and needing some space to figure things out. However, that’s a tricky thing to navigate because, as you said, relationships don’t really pause—they either move forward or stop altogether. The ambiguity of it all can be frustrating, especially when someone you care about asks for space without clear boundaries.
His return, angry and with accusations, must’ve been jarring. It sounds like he had been wrestling with expectations of his own, possibly even testing how you’d react or how he felt in your absence. It’s common in these situations to have feelings of hurt or confusion, as the “pause” doesn’t really leave room for a mutual understanding of what’s going on.
Did he ever explain more about why he was so upset or what kind of “test” he thought you were supposed to pass?