I think it was his redemption. I think August has always seen Emma as a little sister, as someone he was supposed to protect. He feels guilty that he took away Emma’s love, the only time she’s ever had a family and felt happy was with Neal and August took that away so that Emma could be the savior. Adam and Eddy have often said the relationship between August and Emma was one of brother/sister not potential lovers.
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"He was a lot of things to me" "The only conclusion was love"