I disagree with that, Define "real love" then
there is many kind of love... friend family that count as love too. those two still love each other in that way they basically grew up together. But if you talk about romantic side, obviously they are attracted to each other, and at one point of their life they love each other purely and truely nothing involved, especially Ian. that how the bond come from, but it started to twisted to obssession (obviously at TJ side) but just because it twisted doesn't mean it's not one kind of love. On Ian side, if u said it truly pure lu** and attraction, I recommend u read the whole story again. Ian obviously buried his love underneath and try to leave because he afraid to ruined TJ life or at least what TJ has build. Ian is the type of person who feel guilty easily, and in his head he believes they shouldn't be together. there is many scenarios he try to buried his emotion and lie to just get away with it. He still want to hang on to TJ, if not because of love which created bond then what else?? If because he just still "care". What would u care about person u not love?
i said it on my main comment and i will said it again
What those 2 have is beyond just "is they love each other(romantically)?" Romantically definitely mixed in it but they other kind of love in there too that why it's hard for both of them to let go.
all i try to say is saying they don't love each other just because it didn't look like love? I did it before on this comment section(u will find it in another ep.) and find it too shallow for this story. I didn't say there is pure love and nothing involved you clearly see that there is obsession, jealousy , toxicity and many variables showing there.
i dont think they wouldn't go that far for each other because just lu** and attraction.