The classic answer here is that when a girl says that and doesn't quit then and there, she is just waiting for something better to turn up and doesn't want to quit the security till she feels ready, usually when a better alternative is secured.

A small possibility exists that contrary to the classic situation, she feels you are not invested enough, was hurt by being dropped from something she felt solid in and won't fully invest on the re-run. You pulling away and trying to run dread would be the worst thing in this situation. If you run this from the other way round even as a man and not being as nervous and needy as a woman, you too might feel less inclined to commit another time and would react badly to pulling away and dread.

If you care deeply about her, cover both bases. Be prepared for the likely failure but then why not try the road untaken too? Try to be visibly fully invested. Ask her to try to explain what the missing thing is. Talk around it as well as the direct approach. Show her it matters without simping, no mind games, straight up investment. Worst that can happen is what you already prepared yourself for -gradual quiet quitting or the monkey branch when something better arrives.

I need some outside perspective on whether I should walk away from a girl I deeply care about, or if this is fixable.

TL;DR: Broke up with a girl I was dating as she moved out the country and didn't want to do long distance. Got back together 2 years later when we lived in the same country. It was never the same. I tried to run dread game; pissed her off. She breaks up with me saying something is missing (after a heated argument). I initially brushed this break up as a temporary blip as it was after a heated argument. She came back after 10 weeks no contact wanting a fresh start, but after a few good dates, she immediately said "something is missing" again. What do I do.

The History: We dated for 5 months. She was incredibly invested, she moved to a different country. I ended it because I didn't want to do long-distance. She was heartbroken over it

We reconnected when she moved back. However, she was never the same to how she was before. She was a lot colder and noticeably less invested then me. Which was surprising as before the energy was probably 80% her 20% me. Now it was more like 30% her 70% me.

Because of this, I started inviting females to hang out with. (tried to run dread game as I knew she was not as invested as me. this didn't benefit our relationship). After a heated argument, she said "something was missing" and we broke up. I initially brushed this break up as a temporary blip as it was after a heated argument. She then went abroad for 10 weeks.

I went no contact. She reached out twice saying she misses me and she wants to chat when she was back. I reached out when she landed and ended up meeting for a chat.

We met up, agreed to try again, she said she cleared all her grudges and was ready to start fresh after her trip away. She felt she was never able to do that before and hated me after I ended things in long distance. I took her out on an amazing date, bought flowers and some gifts. The date went great, but the next morning she hit me with the same line: "Something is missing." Her mind changes with the wind. Last week she says she wants to try again, now she says something is missing. She has a lot of friends which give their 2 cents to her; and she lets her friends sway her saying to not go back there with me.

I told her not to make a rushed decision and to think about it. Without speaking with her friends. I love her, but I feel like I'm stuck waiting around for her to decide. I know the advice will be to walk away. But I do love this girl so it's hard. Do I send a text saying its over or go cold? Or try message her and make things work? I know TRP and would never behave like this normally; situation has me cooked