When they can't love themselves they can't love anyone else either. It is not you, it is him. You have wised up and seen the light only showing who the real fool is, HIM. A's are very good manipulators. They fool people all the time, but mostly just fool themselves. It is not something that you were lacking. Until you have to deal with an A it is hard to understand what they are made of and capable of. Sounds like you wised up pretty darn quickly....you should be proud!