Your question is not easy to answer, so this is just my opinion: 'Affection' is very closely related to love but does not necessarily suggest 'attachment'. Some people might say that affection means the same as love. But I would use 'affection' in circumstances where the word 'love' may seem too strong.
New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.