I'm so sorry to hear that, DC ;;
I know you've talked about him quite a few times.
-hugs-
Yeah, I disagree with Beauty and the Beast being Stockholm syndrome :\
People do get to know one another, they change, they develop feelings, all of that.
He stopped being an asshole and that's what caught her eye and it led to them both falling in love.
People in general think a person changing is impossible when that's not true.
People change all the time - they just have to WANT to change.
If they don't want to change or don't put in the effort, then they won't change.