Board Thread:General Discussion/@comment-68.125.32.224-20130312042332/@comment-4619680-20131219221527

Rubelle wrote: because between  cora an rumpell, their love for their power was more than LOVE. rumple was more attracted to Cora's natural inclination to control, manipulate and  hatred, willingness to learn magic to use it as a leverage. Cora was more attracted to rumple's power and magic. They were more like a teacher and student who went into a relationship. I doubt Cora really loved anyone. She was  too selfish for that. Maybe she could have loved regina, if she had her heart.

If Cora didn't love Rumple, why did she have to rip out her heart? And if Rumple didn't love Cora, why did he change the contract?

For it to be "true" love, it has to be innocent. Something pure. You know, like rainbows and unicorn stickers. Cora and Rumple truly loved each other, to the ends of the earth, but their love was surrounded by darkness and revenge and this "true love" stuff that breaks curses is a form of good magic as opposed to dark magic. That's why Gold couldn't give Lacey her memories back, even after she started getting feelings for him. Because that love, as opposed to Belle and Rumple's, was dark as well.