Well, Rumple did say in 1×16 that if Snow killed Regina, she’d become as dark as the woman she killed. It could be that Snow becomes darker if she is the one to murder Cora. Yet, it could be Regina who kills her own mother to save Henry, which tips Regina back into full-on evil mode. At Paley Fest, Lana Parrilla said we’d be seeing Regina as the Evil Queen again, and I don’t think she meant just in flashbacks.
I was thinking the samething. I don’t think the heart is Cora’s. I suspect it will be Archie’s. I think Snow choosing to kill is exactly what Cora want’s regaurdless of who it is. Snow acting out of rage & revenge & taking a life is dark enough.
I think Regina may kill Cora to protect Henry but killing her mother. Either way if Regina or some else kills Cora that’s going to darken her soul.