comma vs no comma before 'as' [meaning?; conjunction]: family, as I

[azz]

a. He was bound with strong emotional ties to our family as I was not.

b. He was bound with strong emotional ties to our family, as I was not.

Are both the above sentences acceptable?

Does (a) mean 'He was bound with strong emotional ties to our family in a way that I was not'?

Does (b) mean 'He was bound with strong emotional ties to our family, but I was not'?

 

[Sprazzo d'arancia]

a) - yes
b) - no. Not "but" rather "because" - It seems unlikely that it will make sense but it depends on more context.