Search Results: how far he can push me away

I've had strong feelings for this guy for 5 years. Even though we've lived in different towns for most of the time and I haven't seen him in 4 years, I still kept these.
At the time I met him, he gave signs of interest (would keep staring , try to be near me, kiss me on the cheek, try to hold my hand, would say things like "you're beautiful" etc) but he was taken and I didn't know if it was genuine or if it was some distraction.

Either way after we both moved to different towns I sort of kept in touch with him. He moved on with his gf, they had a kid and I was happy for him. By that time he had definitely become "NO GO" zone and I quite managed to accept the situation.

But around a year ago he tells me about how they broke up. He was the one initiating contact this time. I wanted to see him again and somehow thought he did too but no, he took a long time replying and mentioned someone new.

So here are my questions:
Did he know I liked him?:
- I was the one who kept in touch although he seemed to appreciate it
-I told him how bad it was we couldn't meet, that's when he mentioned how we didn't live that far (and understood this as we could meet someday).
-I've always kept acting as a good acquaintance, was happy for him and his relationship.
- back in the days, i would kind of push him away because he was taken and didn't know where I stood.

Should I confess to him? and if so are those good ways to do it?
even though I know he is taken, I kind of think letting him know he's on my mind could give me some closure. The thing is I don't know how to proceed. I've thought of:
- the somewhat direct way, ie "I should probably have told you this before but I miss you / can't forget you"
- the more subtle where I start explaining that I am not with my bf anymore and one reason is I couldn't get someone out of my mind)
- the rational: I am sorry, I respect your couple and choice, but I want you to know etc...