@portable
In the past, it seemed like Cayena did nothing to endear herself to him, so he treated her like anyone else, as a dispensable tool. In the past incarnation, they had grown apart and stayed that way. Considering they were closer as children, that may have even amplified his hatred, since she stopped caring for him.
Compared to this time, she’s taking the time to take care of him. Instead of feelings of hate and betrayal, he’s feeling hope in rekindling their prior childhood closeness.