Need help, just broke-up during Venus Retrograde?

My partner and I were doing very well, and were very happy with each other, and right before the Shadow Period / Retrograde, it seemed we were falling in love even. We'd been dating since June of this year. We spent a lot of time together, and he was always sweet and kind, ambitious and just wonderful.

Now, I don't claim this relationship to be perfect, that's unrealistic, but we shared a lot of strengths and common interests. Over the course of our relationship we have had 3 serious conversations, which weren't really fights, just more misunderstandings, as sometimes we seem to misread what each other is trying to say. These were solved with us bettering our communication with each of our needs.

Then the retrograde came on strong, right about on the week before the 21st, I started to feel him get distant... and my partner did a 180'... suddenly he was avoiding me, claimed his financial problems were bothering him, that he was feeling low self-worth (which isn't really something he even seems to ever have to deal with), and he had started thinking about an ex (this 'ex' in particular, he had never felt love for or had a relationship with, they were close friends with here and there sexual flings in the past, I figure perhaps he was considering why he never wanted a real relationship with this person).

Unfortunately due to the effects of the Retrograde, I was feeling so anxious, unable to be patient with being kept in the dark about it, so I became pushy to know his feelings, and he got defensive and ended up breaking up with me on New Year's Eve yesterday... He says he needs time and space, and to figure out his feelings and financial situation. He said he still liked me and everything about me, but he was very confused, and cannot perform his duties as my boyfriend in the mean time, because he feels guilty and it's not fair to me. He said he wanted to remain friends, and I felt I could respect that. I wasn't ready to lose him completely.

Last night was one of the hardest nights of my life, I ended up going to the same party anyway (which was hosted by his 'ex' who is a mutual friend, to make things more complicated) and then he just acted like I didn't exist. He ran out of rooms I walked into. It was painful.

I guess I wonder how it could be that I would go from being his 'perfect girl' to meaning nothing at all?

My signs:
Sun: Scorpio, Rising: Aquarius, Venus: Libra, Mars: Aries

His signs:
Sun: Scorpio, Rising: Capri

**Guess there's a message limit

My signs:
Sun: Scorpio, Rising: Aquarius, Venus: Libra, Mars: Aries

His signs:
Sun: Scorpio, Rising: Capricorn, Venus: Capricorn, Mars: Scorpio

From what I have gathered, sounds like we got the absolute worst of it, based on the fact that I have Libra venus and he has a Capricorn Venus. I guess I was wondering if his sudden change in feelings will remain after the retrograde? As it seemed so out of the blue.

At the end of the night, I left the party, and he stayed behind talking to his ex/friend. I was rather devastated to be honest. I feel like my perception of him has been ripped away completely, with how cold he became towards me. It was like he was someone else...

Right before the retrograde I realized I was in love with him, and the opportunities to tell him were slim. Now I guess it doesn't even matter anymore. I can't believe I have to move on already.

I apologize for this being such a long story. I truly need guidance.

Give him his space and wait out the retrograde.