"He said he drinks so much he pretends I just went to the store. That broke my heart. "
There are two ways to interpret this. I can see why it breaks your heart because it seems so grand and romantic, as in he loves you so much he can't live without you. When I read it, all I see is manipulation and blame, as in he can't take responsibility for his own drinking so he blames his drinking on you for leaving.
Yet another reason to go no contact. You don't have to be subjected to this.