Re-applying for partner's visa after a break - cohabitation?

[Dali18]

Dear all,

Thank you for your work on this forum - it has been very helpful! I would be very grateful for your advice.
I am a non-EU spouse of a British citizen, have received first partner's visa several months ago. Unfortunately, personal circumstances push me to leave the UK for a prolonged period of time, while my partner has to stay in the UK. If I leave, I won't be able to apply for an extension in 2,5 years as there won't be a proof of continuous cohabitation/intention to live together. What do people do in such situations? Is there a possibility to apply for a partner's visa again from scratch from outside the UK when I will be able to move back into the UK? If so, what would make such application successful? There will be no proof of previous cohabitation for 2 years, however our relationship is genuine, we have a joint bank account and will visit each other to prove that our relationship is subsisting... I would be grateful for any information.