I’ve actually had the experience of telling people it’s not working out only to have them “make their case” not understanding that I was telling them it was not working out. Then when I stopped replying to texts/taking calls, they felt they’d been “ghosted” because I’d not insulted them when they’d “said their piece” but rather said I understood they felt that way, but it wasn’t working out.

Engaging with certain people who don’t recognize boundaries requires ghosting, unfortunately.