
So~ there's a lot of speculation as to why Clough went back to hating Aeroc when he seemed to regret his actions when Aeroc died. I just want to point out two things:
1) Clough never loved Aeroc. He was drawn to him, attracted to him and obsessed with him, but never took the time to allow it to develop into love. Hence why he couldn't even lie and tell Aeroc he loved him while dying.
2) He projected all of that obsession and attraction onto Raphiel, so when Raphiel was killed, he broke and went more than a little insane. Most people cannot reconcile that someone they could have any feelings for (platonic or romantic) could do something as heinous as murder someone else, so when Aeeoc did what he did, it pushed Raphiel onto this untouchable platform in Clough's mind and heart and forever painted Aeroc as the devil incarnate. But when his own actions brought about Aeroc's death, he realized he made a grave mistake, but it was too late. The overwhelming guilt for being unable to protect Raphiel and then destroying Aeroc even while he professes his love to him utterly broke Clough. He hung on to his sanity for his children's sake, and for atonement purposes, but by the time Raphirl Vandyke (the son) has this outburst, he's lost more and more of his sanity. He was barely holding on and he needed to deflect the blame onto someone. That someone is Aeroc because Raphiel Westport is still too pure in his mind. He was the innocent here in all this. Although Clough felt justified in the beginning for what he did to Aeroc, I'm dead positive he didn't feel that way more than halfway through the years he kept Aeroc. This would have eaten away at him because he would feel guilty towards Raphiel Westport for forgiving the man who set up his murder. Even worse if he came to love him. So the cycle of rejection to anger, to almost-acceptance, back to anger and the rejection would continue. He literally went insane from it. . And we see that in this chapter because he just cannot cope with his feelings for Aeroc when Aeroc did what he did to someone so innocent.
Hope this helps.