Can someone turn read receipts on for their conversation to be able to see when I read their texts when u have reads off for his contact on my phone?

So basically I was dealing with this guy and I had my reads off Becuase I didn’t want him seeing when I read his messages or how long it took me to reply, and every couple days I would go to open it and reply and my reads were suddenly back on for his contact. During this time I had no contact with him was not around him, so he could not have physically done it himself, I am confused and kinda weirded out this this kept happening it went on for a couple weeks until I no long needed to have contact with him. has this happened to anyone else or does anyone have ideas as to how this could happen? Any ideas and help lots! Let me know what u guys think thanks a lot!