I'm in my objective state now. Based on my understanding and analysis, here's the situation from both party's ends, which accounts for the vast difference in opinion between the two.
One is trying very hard to conceal personal feelings, because it takes a lot to be strong when faced with such trials. Embracing feelings can lead to breaking down and exposing oneself, especially in front of family. It's a huge gamble. Therefore, strict formality in tone of speech and messages, neglect and distancing becomes the order of the day. It's understandable. Sometimes, that's what one needs to do in order to stay strong.
The other tries as much as possible to look past the glass cover, to trust that beyond the cold front is the beautiful soul with great interest for friendship maintenance; that the surface appearance is no reliable reference for judgement. But it's not easy to always live life like that - to look past the glass cover. There are times when one becomes weak and can only judge based on context. That's when paranoia takes over.
When that happens, it is very obvious, especially through ones choice of words and tone. And the other is smart enough to detect the weakness. That's when conflict arises.
There is the accusation that one does not trust the other enough to believe that underneath it all, nothing has changed. Such an accusation is extremely valid. At the same time, the other is left with the challenge of friendship maintenance with a non-active cold front, which one has to see past. The party is challenged to trust, even after being dumped. In this case, it's difficult to trust in the words, "you deserve to be happy".
This doesn't imply that the two no longer care for each other or yearn for each other's friendship. They just have different ways of dealing with it. It is a matter of perspective.
The two still try to see each other's points of view. That's when there's peace. But because we're human after all, there are times when one party falters. That's when the whole structure of trust crumbles. It's not easy to live life like that.
However, in the wise words of Nelly Furtado, "all I can do is try".
