<human>: Give me a shortened version of the text

Long story short - We were together 5 years. She broke up with me. She tried being chummy after, but I told her I needed my time and space. This was last December, and we haven't talked since.

...Until recently when she texted me saying she hopes I'm doing well and that she understands if I'm not okay with talking. It was very random and had me wondering why. I ended up not responding.

Here's the deal: For the better part of a month, I've wanted to text her and just break this whole official NC thing. I don't really want to be chummy/close friends with her and talk all the time, but truth is - it takes energy to actively ignore/remove a person from your life (especially when we share many mutual friends) and I just want to be at peace with this. Or then again, it could just be me making shit up to justify contacting her.

I don't know if I should break NC though. I have improved a great deal since we broke up and feel like I can handle at the very least talking to her. I just don't know what's lingering in the back of my head that might come out if I break NC. Also, she may/may not have another BF - again don't know how I feel about it.

Thoughts?
<bot>: Ex broke NC recently. I didn't respond, but I've wanted to contact her to be at peace with myself. Don't know though.