[s2e16] The Miller's — Daughter

At the last moment, Cora realizes that love is a weakness that will keep her from power. She rips out her own heart to remain cold and calculating, choosing to marry Prince Henry and become royalty rather than flee with Rumplestiltskin.

Mary Margaret (Snow White) discovers that the only way to save Gold—and stop Cora—is to use the . The candle can save one person but requires another life in exchange. Mary Margaret, manipulated by the situation and her desire to protect her family, uses the candle on Cora’s heart (which is stored in the vault) and then tricks Regina into putting the heart back into Cora’s body. [S2E16] The Miller's Daughter

Individual episodes and seasons are available on Apple TV and Amazon Prime Video. At the last moment, Cora realizes that love

The rivalry between Cora and Eva explains Cora’s later hatred for Snow White. The candle can save one person but requires

It reveals that Rumplestiltskin was once capable of being loved and almost gave up his power for Cora.

Because the heart was "cursed" by the candle, returning it to Cora doesn't save her; it transfers Gold's impending death to her. Cora dies in Regina’s arms, briefly experiencing love for her daughter one last time before passing away.

Locked in a tower to prove her claim or face death, she is visited by . He offers to spin the gold in exchange for her firstborn child. However, Cora convinces him to teach her the magic instead. As they work together, they fall in love and plan to run away, changing their contract so the child will be theirs .