Giovanni's gaze swept over each of us-me, Lillie, Paulo, and Blue-as if assessing our worth, our strength, and our weaknesses. His expression was calm yet calculating, and when his eyes landed on me, his lips curved into a sly smirk.

He took a step closer, his polished shoes clicking against the floor. "May I ask you something?" he said smoothly, his tone polite but oozing with hidden malice.

I shrugged, trying to appear nonchalant even though I could feel the tension thick in the air. "Sure."

Giovanni's smirk deepened. "If anything were to happen to you, what do you think your brother would do?"

I didn't even flinch. I didn't hesitate. "He'd just carry on with his life."

The words left my mouth with startling confidence, but the effect they had on the room was immediate. My teammates gasped in unison.

Lillie clutched her chest as if she'd been personally insulted. Paulo's mouth opened in shock, though no words came out. Blue, however, narrowed his eyes, his gaze darting to something-or rather, someone-just out of view.

Giovanni tilted his head, clearly thrown by my response. "Excuse me?" he asked, his voice a mixture of genuine confusion and disbelief.

I rolled my eyes, crossing my arms. "Red would only be sad if his friends or Pokémon were in danger. Me? Nada. He wouldn't care."

"That's not true!" Lillie protested, stepping forward. "Mia, you don't know that! You've never needed help from him-you've never been in serious danger!"

I shot her a pointed look. "Lillie, look. My brother used to love me. Used to. Now? Not so much."

Giovanni chuckled darkly. "Fascinating..." he murmured, clearly enjoying the rift my words were causing.

Blue, however, had gone pale. His eyes were fixed on something-or someone-just behind me. He let out a nervous laugh, scratching the back of his head. "Oh boy... He's not happy..." he muttered under his breath.

I frowned, confused. "Who's not happy-?"

Before I could finish, I felt a hand grab my wrist. It was firm but not rough, and I didn't even need to turn around to know who it was.

"Red," I whispered.

Without a word, Red dragged me out of the room, his grip steady but unyielding. My teammates called after us, but neither of us looked back. I could feel the heat of his anger radiating off him, but there was something else there, too-hurt, maybe?

He didn't stop until we were far from the others, in a quiet hallway where the only sounds were our footsteps and my uneven breathing. He finally let go, turning to face me. His usually calm face was anything but. His lips were pressed into a thin line, and his eyes blazed with an intensity that made me shrink back slightly.

"What...was that?" he asked, his voice quiet but sharp enough to make me flinch.

"What was what?" I shot back, trying to sound brave even though my heart was pounding. "I was just telling the truth."

"The truth?" he repeated, his voice rising slightly. "Mia, how could you even say that?"

I blinked, taken aback. "Say what? That you wouldn't care if something happened to me? Because it's true, isn't it? You're always so focused on your battles, your Pokémon, your friends. I'm just...there."

Red's expression shifted. The anger was still there, but now it was mixed with something else-pain. "You really think that?" he asked, his voice quieter now. "You really think I wouldn't care if something happened to you?"

"Well, yeah!" I said, throwing my hands up. "When's the last time you even talked to me, Red? Really talked? All you ever do is nod, or maybe grunt if I'm lucky! It's like I'm not even your sister anymore."

Red ran a hand through his hair, his frustration evident. "Mia, I... I don't talk much, okay? That's just who I am. But that doesn't mean I don't care about you."

I scoffed, crossing my arms. "Sure doesn't feel like it."

He took a step closer, his voice steady. "Do you know why I don't talk much? It's because I'm always thinking. About battles, sure. About my Pokémon, yeah. But you? You're always on my mind, Mia. You're my sister. I would do anything for you. If something happened to you..." His voice cracked slightly, and he looked away, his hands clenching into fists. "I don't even know what I'd do."

I stared at him, my heart sinking. "Red..."

He looked back at me, his eyes filled with an emotion I rarely saw in him-vulnerability. "You think I don't care, but you couldn't be more wrong. I care more than you'll ever know."

For a moment, neither of us said anything. Then, without warning, he pulled me into a tight hug. His arms wrapped around me protectively, and I could feel his heart pounding against mine. It was rare for him to show this much emotion, but in that moment, it was everything I needed.

"I'm sorry," I whispered, my voice muffled against his chest. "I didn't mean it."

"I know," he said quietly. "But don't ever think I don't care about you. Because I do. More than anything."

I hugged him back, holding on tightly. For the first time in a long time, I felt truly safe.

Giovanni's cold gaze lingered on each of us-me, Lillie, Paulo, and Blue-before settling on me. He stepped forward, his smirk sharp and calculating, the kind that sent shivers down your spine.

"May I ask you something?" he said smoothly, his voice calm but dangerous.

I shrugged, feigning indifference. "Sure."

He tilted his head, studying me like a puzzle he was trying to solve. "If anything were to happen to you, what would your brother do?"

Without missing a beat, I answered, "He'd just carry on with his life."

The room fell silent.

Lillie gasped audibly, and Paulo's mouth hung open. Even Giovanni looked momentarily thrown off, his brows knitting together in confusion.

"Excuse me?" Giovanni said, his calm facade cracking for just a moment.

I gave another shrug, keeping my expression neutral. "Red would only care if his friends or his Pokémon were in danger. Me? Nada. He wouldn't even flinch."

Lillie stepped forward, shaking her head vehemently. "That's not true! You've never needed help, Mia! You don't know how he'd react!"

"Lillie," I said, rolling my eyes. "Look. My brother used to love me. Now? Not so much. I'm just... an afterthought to him."

Blue, who had been silent until now, suddenly shifted uncomfortably. His eyes darted to something behind me, and he muttered under his breath, "Oh boy... He's not happy..."

Before I could ask what he meant, I felt a firm hand grab my wrist. I spun around to see Red-his face unreadable, but his eyes blazing with fury. Without a word, he yanked me out of the room, his grip firm but not painful.

"Red-what the-" I began, but he didn't let me finish. He dragged me down the hall and into an empty room, slamming the door shut behind us. He finally let go of my wrist and turned to face me, his chest rising and falling with barely contained emotion.

"What was that?" he demanded, his voice low and sharp.

I blinked, taken aback. "What are you talking about?"

Red's hands clenched into fists at his sides. "You seriously think I don't care about you?" he said, his tone somewhere between anger and disbelief. "That if something happened to you, I'd just... move on?"

"Well, wouldn't you?" I said defensively, crossing my arms. "You're always so focused on your battles, your Pokémon, your friends. I'm just... there."

Red's expression darkened, and he took a step closer. "Do you even hear yourself right now?" he said, his voice trembling. "Do you have any idea how much you mean to me? How much I-" He stopped himself, taking a deep breath as if trying to regain control.

I stared at him, my heart pounding. "Red, you've never-"

"I've never had to say it," he interrupted, his voice rising slightly. "Because I thought you knew. I thought you understood. But apparently, I was wrong."

His words hit me like a ton of bricks. I opened my mouth to respond, but nothing came out.

Red ran a hand through his hair, looking away for a moment. When he turned back to me, his eyes were softer, but no less intense. "Mia, you're my sister. My little sister. And no matter how strong or independent you are, you're still... you. I don't just care about you-I'd do anything to keep you safe."

I felt tears welling up in my eyes, but I blinked them away. "Red, I didn't mean-"

"Yes, you did," he said, cutting me off again. "And I don't blame you for thinking it. Maybe I haven't done a good job of showing it. But don't you ever, ever think that I don't love you."

My throat tightened, and I finally managed to whisper, "I'm sorry."

Red sighed, stepping closer and wrapping his arms around me in a tight hug. "Just... don't ever say something like that again, okay? I don't know what I'd do if something happened to you, Mia. I'd lose it. You're my family."

I buried my face in his chest, letting the tears fall. "Okay," I murmured. "I promise."

For a long moment, we stayed like that, his arms holding me close. And for the first time in a long time, I felt like maybe-just maybe-I wasn't an afterthought after all.

Giovanni's gaze flicked between the four of us-Lillie, Paulo, Blue, and me-his eyes sharp, assessing, as if he was deciding which of us might prove the most troublesome. The room was heavy with tension, and the air felt thick as we waited for his next move.

Then, with a smirk, Giovanni took a step towards me. "May I ask you something?" he inquired, his voice smooth like silk, his eyes narrowing just slightly.

I raised an eyebrow and shrugged, feeling a bit indifferent to whatever game he was playing. "Sure."

Giovanni's smirk widened. "If anything were to happen to you, what would your brother do?"

I didn't hesitate. The answer came easily. "He would just carry on with his life," I said flatly, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.

The room went quiet for a moment, and I felt the stares of my teammates drilling into me. Lillie's mouth hung open in shock, Paulo's face was full of confusion, and Blue was looking like he'd just bitten into something sour.

Giovanni's expression shifted to one of confusion. "Excuse me?"

I shrugged again, not feeling the need to explain myself. "Red would only be sad if his friends or Pokémon were in danger. Me? Nada."

A tense silence followed, only broken by the sound of Lillie protesting, her voice worried. "But you've never needed help!" she said, her tone filled with genuine concern. "You don't know that!"

I rolled my eyes, feeling a little frustrated by her insistence. "Lillie, look. My brother used to love me. Now? Not so much."

Blue, who had been quiet up until now, was staring at something nervously. His gaze was fixed on Red, who was standing off to the side, arms crossed, a quiet tension radiating off him. "Oh boy..." Blue muttered under his breath. "He's not happy..."

And as if on cue, Red's expression darkened. Without warning, he crossed the room in two swift steps, grabbed me by the arm, and yanked me toward the door. "We need to talk," he muttered, his voice a low growl.

Giovanni raised an eyebrow at the scene, but didn't say a word as Red practically dragged me out of the room. My teammates were left behind, all of them silent and confused by what had just transpired.

Once we were out of earshot, Red stopped in the hallway, his grip still tight on my arm. He turned to face me, his eyes blazing with something I couldn't quite place. "You think I don't care about you?" he demanded, his voice sharp.

I blinked in surprise, taken aback by the sudden intensity. "I... didn't mean that," I muttered, trying to pull my arm free from his grasp, but his grip tightened even more. " I thought -"

"You didn't have to think," he snapped. "You always think you're fine on your own, like I'm just some afterthought, but I'm not. You're my sister, Mia. Don't you ever forget that."

I swallowed hard, my heart pounding in my chest. "I'm sorry, Red. I didn't mean-"

"I love you, Mia," he interrupted, his voice softer now, though still filled with frustration. "How can you not know that by now?"

I froze, my eyes wide in shock. He loved me? I couldn't understand. He'd always been distant, even when we were younger. I had thought maybe he didn't care anymore, or that he had simply grown tired of me.

Red saw the confusion in my eyes, and his shoulders sagged with a sigh. "I never stopped caring, Mia. You're my sister, and I'll always be here for you, no matter what. You're never alone."

For a long moment, I just stood there, unable to speak, as the weight of his words settled on me. I had never fully realized how deeply Red cared for me, how much his silence masked the intensity of his feelings.

"I didn't mean to make you feel like you weren't important," I whispered, my voice shaking. "I'm sorry, Red."

He didn't say anything for a moment, but then his expression softened. He pulled me into a tight hug, his arms wrapping around me protectively. "I know you didn't," he murmured. "But you have to understand... you are important. To me. Always."

My chest tightened as I hugged him back, the warmth of his embrace washing over me, the kind of warmth I'd been missing for so long. I had never doubted that Red loved me, but now I understood-really understood-the depth of it.

We stood there for what felt like an eternity, just holding on to each other. I had always thought I had to go through everything on my own, but now, with Red's arms around me, I realized I wasn't alone at all.

Meanwhile, back in the room with Giovanni, my teammates were left in stunned silence. They had no idea what had just unfolded, but whatever it was, it had left them more confused than before.

Giovanni, still looking just as unreadable as ever, stood in the corner, observing everything with his usual calculating expression. He said nothing, but I could sense the wheels turning in his mind.

And I found it humorous - Giovanni, a villain, out of any ideas on what to say.

Because I don't think he thought that would be my answer.

Giovanni's cold gaze swept over all of us-me, Lillie, Paulo, and Blue-like a predator sizing up its prey. His eyes lingered a little longer on each of us before finally landing on me. The smirk that crept across his face was more chilling than anything I'd seen in a while.

He took a step toward me, his voice smooth and controlled as he asked, "May I ask you something?"

I raised an eyebrow, unfazed. "Sure."

He leaned in slightly, his gaze narrowing. "If anything were to happen to you, what would your brother do?"

I didn't even hesitate. The words slipped out naturally. "He would just carry on with his life," I said with an innocent shrug.

There was a collective gasp from my teammates, and I felt the tension in the room spike.

Giovanni looked at me with a mixture of confusion and curiosity. "Excuse me?"

I shrugged again, feeling the weight of the silence that followed. "Red would only be sad if his friends or Pokémon were in danger. Me? Nada."

Lillie shot me an incredulous look, her eyes wide with disbelief. "But you've never needed help! You don't know that!"

I sighed, rolling my eyes as I crossed my arms. "Lillie, look. My brother used to love me. Now? Not so much."

The words hung in the air like an uncomfortable cloud, and I could see the shock and concern on everyone's faces. But I stood firm, even though I could feel the sharp edge of my own words biting into me.

Blue, however, was staring off to the side, his face pale. His voice was barely a whisper when he muttered, "Oh boy... He's not happy..."

My eyes flicked to Blue, and then I followed his gaze-straight to Red. His expression was dark, and his fists were clenched tightly by his sides. The anger in his posture was unmistakable, and the air around him felt charged, like a storm was brewing.

Before anyone could say another word, Red moved like lightning. He grabbed my arm without warning, dragging me out of the room in a mix of frustration and desperation.

I was too stunned to resist at first, but as we reached a quiet hallway, Red spun around to face me. His chest was heaving, and his eyes burned with something that I couldn't quite place. His usual calm demeanor was nowhere to be found.

"You really think I don't care about you?" he asked, his voice raw and thick with emotion.

I blinked, taken aback by the intensity in his gaze. "I... I didn't say that."

"You did," Red shot back, his voice rising with every word. "You think I would just... carry on with my life if something happened to you? You think I wouldn't be devastated? Mia, you're my sister. Of course I care about you!"

I felt my throat tighten as his words hit me, but I didn't know how to respond. I had always told myself that I didn't need anyone, that I could handle everything on my own. But hearing Red say those words, seeing the way his eyes softened when he looked at me-it was like a veil had been lifted.

"I... I didn't know," I whispered, looking down at the floor. "I thought... I thought you didn't care anymore."

Red stepped forward, his hands gently cupping my face, forcing me to meet his gaze. His touch was warm, and the intensity in his eyes slowly softened. "I always care about you, Mia. I may not show it the way you want me to, but I'm always here for you. Always."

My heart hammered in my chest, and I could feel the tears pricking at the corners of my eyes. I had never seen Red this vulnerable before, and it made everything I thought I knew about him seem so small in comparison.

"You don't have to do everything alone," he added softly, his voice almost a whisper now. "Let me help you. I love you, Mia. I always have."

The words hung between us, and for the first time in a long while, I felt something stir deep within me-a mixture of relief, guilt, and a warmth that I couldn't quite explain.

Meanwhile, back in the room, Giovanni stood there with a confused look on his face, his plans momentarily interrupted by the sight of Red's anger. He didn't seem to know how to process the situation, and the confusion was palpable. My teammates were equally perplexed, unsure of what had just unfolded.

But for now, it didn't matter. I was with Red, and he was with me. And maybe, just maybe, I didn't have to carry everything alone anymore.

Giovanni's sharp eyes swept over the group, lingering on each of us-me, Lillie, Paulo, and Blue-before he took a deliberate step towards me. His smirk never wavered, but there was a glint of curiosity in his eyes.

"May I ask you something?" His voice was smooth, almost playful, as if he knew the question would be a challenge.

I raised an eyebrow and shrugged, nonchalant. "Sure."

His gaze fixed on me as he asked, "If anything were to happen to you, what would your brother do?"

The question hung in the air, and I didn't have to think twice before answering. "He would just carry on with his life," I said, my voice light, as though it were a simple fact.

There was a collective gasp from my teammates. Lillie's eyes widened in shock, and Paulo's brow furrowed in confusion. Only Blue seemed to understand what was going on, and his gaze shifted nervously between me and Giovanni.

Giovanni's smirk faltered for a second, replaced by a confused expression. "Excuse me?" He asked, clearly taken aback by my response.

I shrugged again, my tone matter-of-fact. "Red would only be sad if his friends or Pokémon were in danger. Me? Nada."

Lillie immediately jumped in, shaking her head vigorously. "But you've never needed help! You don't know that!"

I rolled my eyes, exasperated. "Lillie, look. My brother used to love me. Now? Not so much."

The silence that followed was thick with tension. Lillie opened her mouth to protest, but before she could say anything, Blue let out a nervous laugh. "Oh boy..." He muttered under his breath, glancing over at something behind me.

I turned, following his gaze, and my heart skipped a beat when I saw Red standing there. His expression was unreadable, but the tension radiating from him was palpable. Without a word, he marched over, his eyes locked on mine.

"Mia," he said, his voice low, almost dangerous, as he grabbed my arm and dragged me out of the room. The others were left behind, their eyes wide with confusion.

Once we were in the hallway, Red didn't waste any time. He spun me around to face him, his grip on my shoulders firm as he looked me dead in the eye. His usual calm demeanor was gone, replaced by something fierce. "You really think that?" he demanded, his voice sharp.

I blinked in surprise, unsure of what exactly he was talking about. "Think what?" I replied, trying to play it cool.

"That I wouldn't care if something happened to you?" Red's eyes were dark with frustration, and for the first time, I saw just how much he was holding back. "You honestly believe I wouldn't be devastated if you were gone?"

I swallowed hard, suddenly feeling smaller under his intense gaze. "But... you've been so distant lately," I whispered, my voice barely above a breath. "I thought... maybe you didn't care about me the way you used to."

Red's expression softened, but only slightly. His hands moved to gently cup my face, forcing me to meet his eyes. "Mia..." he said softly, the anger now gone from his voice, replaced with something more vulnerable. "I care about you more than you'll ever know. I always have. Just because I don't show it in the way you want me to, doesn't mean I don't feel it. You mean everything to me."

I froze, unable to process his words. Red... cared about me? More than I knew? I had always assumed he didn't, that he had grown tired of me as I got older. But hearing it from him, feeling the sincerity in his touch, made everything I thought I knew feel like a lie.

"I... I didn't know," I murmured, my heart racing.

Red let out a deep sigh, his hands slipping from my face to rest on my shoulders. "I know, Mia. I know. But I'm not good at expressing myself. That doesn't mean I don't love you. That doesn't mean I don't care. It just means I'm... trying to figure it out. I don't want you to feel alone, not ever."

I didn't know what to say. I wanted to cry, to shout, to ask him why he never told me this before. But all I could do was nod, slowly, my voice shaky as I whispered, "I don't want to be alone either."

Meanwhile, back in the room, Giovanni stood there, blinking in confusion as he tried to make sense of what just happened. Blue, Lillie, and Paulo were all staring at him, equally bewildered by the sudden turn of events.

"What just happened?" Giovanni asked, his voice a mix of irritation and intrigue.

Lillie opened her mouth, but Blue cut in before she could speak. "I think we've just witnessed something... personal," he said, his tone unusually quiet. "And we probably shouldn't have been eavesdropping in the first place."

Giovanni looked even more confused, but there was a flicker of understanding in his eyes. He wasn't about to get involved in whatever family drama was unfolding.

But he wasn't done just yet. "Interesting," he muttered to himself, before turning and walking out of the room.

Back in the hallway, I looked up at Red, my heart still racing. He gave me a small, almost hesitant smile. "Let's go back in," he said softly. "But don't ever think for a second that I wouldn't care about you. Okay?"

I nodded, a small smile tugging at my lips despite the confusion swirling inside me. "Okay," I whispered, and together, we walked back into the room, ready to face whatever came next.

But I knew one thing for sure now: Red's love for me was real. And I wasn't alone anymore.

Giovanni's eyes scanned each of us, lingering on Lillie, Paulo, Blue, and me. The air around us felt thick with tension as he examined us like we were specimens under a microscope. His smirk was ever-present, his confidence unwavering.

He took a step towards me, his gaze narrowing. "May I ask you something?" he said smoothly, his voice dripping with a subtle challenge.

I shrugged, trying to mask the unease in my chest. "Sure," I replied, trying to sound nonchalant.

His smirk widened, but there was a dangerous glint in his eyes. "If anything were to happen to you, what would your brother do?"

Without even thinking, my response came out faster than I could stop it. "He would just carry on with his life," I said, the words almost too casual, too carefree.

The air seemed to freeze around us. Lillie, Paulo, and Blue gasped in unison, their eyes wide with shock. I felt a shift in the atmosphere, the weight of my words sinking in.

Giovanni looked at me, completely thrown off. "Excuse me?" His tone was one of disbelief, his brow furrowing as he tried to process my response.

I shrugged again, not meeting his gaze. "Red would only be sad if his friends or Pokémon were in danger. Me? Nada."

There was a stunned silence, and then Lillie's voice broke through. "But you've never needed help!" she protested, her voice rising with concern. "You don't know that!"

I rolled my eyes, the irritation bubbling up despite my attempt to stay calm. "Lillie, look. My brother used to love me. Now? Not so much."

The words hung in the air like a heavy fog, and my teammates exchanged uncertain glances. Giovanni's confusion was palpable, but it wasn't just him. The entire room seemed to pulse with a sense of discomfort.

Blue, who had been unusually quiet, suddenly muttered under his breath, his gaze flickering nervously between me and Red. "Oh boy... He's not happy..."

I turned my head slightly to see Red standing nearby, his arms crossed and his face a mask of frustration. He looked... upset? No, more than upset. His entire posture screamed tension.

Before I could even process what was happening, Red's expression shifted from anger to something more intense. Without warning, he grabbed my arm, yanked me towards him, and started dragging me out of the room.

"Red!" I exclaimed, trying to pull away, but his grip was unrelenting.

"Come on," he muttered, his voice low and tight with barely contained emotion. "We're going to talk."

I glanced over my shoulder, seeing Giovanni still looking confused, my teammates bewildered, and Lillie biting her lip nervously.

Once we were out of earshot, Red stopped abruptly, his back to me as he took a deep breath. For a moment, there was silence. I stood there, awkwardly waiting for him to say something, anything.

Finally, he turned around, his eyes blazing. "Mia... What do you mean by that?" His voice was almost too calm, but I could hear the underlying tension, the hurt in his tone. "Do you really think that?"

I blinked, taken aback by the intensity of his reaction. "What are you talking about?"

He took a step closer, his voice lower now, almost pleading. "You think I don't care about you? You think I don't love you anymore?"

I swallowed hard, suddenly feeling like I had stepped into a conversation I wasn't ready for. "Red, I... I don't know what you want from me."

He took another step, his eyes searching mine, his expression softening just slightly. "I never stopped loving you, Mia. I don't know where you got that idea, but I've always cared about you. You're my sister. I've always wanted to protect you."

I froze, the weight of his words crashing over me like a tidal wave. "But... you never show it," I whispered, my voice barely audible. "You barely even talk to me anymore."

Red's face twisted in a mixture of frustration and pain. "Mia, I've always been there for you, in my own way. But you've pushed me away. You've always acted like you didn't need me."

I shook my head, confusion clouding my thoughts. "That's not true. I never wanted to push you away. I just... I didn't think you cared anymore."

Red's expression softened, and for a moment, I thought I saw a flicker of something vulnerable in his eyes. "You've been through so much. I just... I don't want to burden you. But I care, Mia. I always have. I always will."

The words hung in the air between us, heavy and real, and I felt a lump form in my throat. "I didn't know," I whispered, my voice cracking. "I didn't know you still felt that way."

Red stepped forward, placing a hand gently on my shoulder. "I've always loved you, Mia. You're my sister. I would never stop caring, no matter what."

I blinked, the tears I had been holding back finally slipping free. "I'm sorry, Red. I didn't mean it... I didn't mean what I said."

Red pulled me into a tight hug, his arms enveloping me like a protective shield. "It's okay," he murmured, his voice warm against my ear. "Just don't ever think that again."

As I stood there in his arms, I felt a weight lift from my chest, replaced by the comforting realization that no matter what, Red was always going to be there for me. And I for him.

Giovanni gave us all a lookover, his sharp eyes scanning each of us-me, Lillie, Paulo, and Blue. The room was tense, like a storm was brewing just behind his cold smile. I could almost feel the weight of his gaze, calculating and precise. His eyes eventually settled on me, and he took a step forward.

"May I ask you something?" Giovanni's voice was smooth, almost too calm as he smirked at me, his tone laced with curiosity.

I raised an eyebrow, not backing down. "Sure," I said, crossing my arms.

Giovanni's gaze never wavered, but there was something unsettling in the way he studied me. "If anything were to happen to you, what would your brother do?"

I didn't even hesitate. The answer came easily, my voice flat. "He would just carry on with his life."

The reaction was instant. My teammates-Lillie, Blue, and Paulo-all gasped in shock. I could feel their eyes on me, their confusion palpable. Giovanni's face twisted into a look of confusion, his brows furrowing slightly.

"Excuse me?" Giovanni asked, clearly caught off guard by my response.

I shrugged nonchalantly, like it was no big deal. "Red would only be sad if his friends or Pokémon were in danger. Me? Nada."

Lillie, who had been quiet up until now, protested. "But you've never needed help! You don't know that!"

I rolled my eyes, leaning back slightly, feeling the weight of their surprise on me. "Lillie, look. My brother used to love me. Now? Not so much."

The words hung in the air, heavy and loaded with meaning. I could see the shock ripple across the faces of my teammates, their mouths opening and closing like they couldn't quite believe what I was saying. But it was the truth, at least from my perspective. Red had always been distant, more concerned about the world around him than about me. Maybe that's why I'd grown used to relying on myself.

Blue, who had been unusually quiet, suddenly muttered under his breath, looking at something-or rather, someone-nervously. "Oh boy... He's not happy..."

His gaze was focused on Red, who was standing just a little too far away from us, his arms crossed tightly as he observed the conversation. It wasn't hard to see the storm brewing behind his eyes.

Before any of us could say anything else, Red moved with surprising speed. He stormed toward me, his face dark with frustration. Without a word, he grabbed my arm and dragged me away from the group, pulling me out of Giovanni's reach. My teammates, still processing my words, could only watch in stunned silence.

As Red pulled me down the hallway, away from the others, I couldn't help but feel a twinge of anxiety. What was he going to say?

He didn't let go of me until we reached a quiet corner. His grip was tight, almost desperate, as if he were trying to hold me together. He stared at me for a long moment, his eyes intense.

"You think I don't love you?" he asked quietly, his voice tight with emotion. "You think I don't care?"

I looked up at him, caught off guard by the hurt in his eyes. "I... I didn't say that," I stammered, suddenly feeling guilty. "I just-"

"You don't know that, Mia," Red cut me off, his voice soft but firm. "I've always been there for you, even when it didn't look like it. Just because I don't always show it the way you want doesn't mean I don't care."

I swallowed, feeling a lump form in my throat. "Red... I-"

"I'm not perfect, Mia," he continued, his voice cracking slightly. "But I love you. And I always have. Even when you think I don't."

I opened my mouth to respond, but the words didn't come. How had I not seen it? How had I been so blind to the way he looked out for me, even in the smallest ways?

Red sighed and let go of my arm, stepping back slightly. "You don't have to do everything on your own. I'll always be here."

I nodded slowly, the weight of his words sinking in. "I didn't know, Red... I didn't know you cared that much."

He gave me a small, soft smile. "Maybe you should have asked me before making assumptions."

Giovanni gave each of us a sharp lookover-me, Lillie, Paulo, and Blue-his eyes lingering longer on each of us as if trying to size us up. It was hard to ignore the unsettling aura he carried. Then, with that characteristic smirk on his face, he stepped closer to me, his eyes gleaming with something I couldn't quite place.

"May I ask you something?" Giovanni's voice was smooth, almost mocking.

I shrugged, trying to keep my composure. "Sure."

He stepped even closer, leaning in a bit. "If anything were to happen to you, what would your brother do?"

Without a second thought, I responded. "He would just carry on with his life." I said it innocently, the words tumbling out without hesitation.

My teammates' eyes widened in shock, and I could feel the shift in the air as they processed what I'd just said. Giovanni raised an eyebrow, clearly confused by my answer. "Excuse me?" he asked, his voice cold with disbelief.

I shrugged nonchalantly. "Red would only be sad if his friends or Pokémon were in danger. Me? Nada."

The silence that followed was almost deafening. My teammates exchanged quick glances, clearly taken aback by my bluntness. Lillie looked at me with wide, concerned eyes. "But you've never needed help!" she protested. "You don't know that!"

I rolled my eyes, my tone turning a little sharper. "Lillie, look. My brother used to love me. Now? Not so much."

I could see Blue fidgeting nervously in the corner of my eye. "Oh boy..." he muttered under his breath, his gaze darting to something behind me.

I turned just in time to see Red standing in the doorway, his jaw clenched and eyes dark with barely contained frustration. He'd been quiet until now, but the tension in his posture said everything.

Blue's voice dropped into an almost whisper, "He's not happy..."

Before anyone could say anything further, Red took a few quick strides toward me, his eyes fixed on mine with an intensity that made my stomach drop. In one swift movement, he grabbed my arm and dragged me out of the room, ignoring the looks from the others.

As soon as we were outside, he spun me around to face him, his grip tight around my shoulders. His breath was heavy, his face a mixture of anger and something else I couldn't quite place-hurt, maybe?

"Mia," he started, his voice uncharacteristically sharp, "What was that back there?"

I crossed my arms, avoiding his gaze. "What? I was just telling the truth."

"No, you weren't!" he snapped, his eyes narrowing. "You think I don't care about you? That I wouldn't be devastated if something happened to you?"

I blinked, taken aback by the raw emotion in his voice. "Red, I-"

He cut me off. "You think I'd just 'carry on with my life'?" His words were laced with frustration, his voice growing more intense with each syllable. "Do you honestly believe that? That if you were in danger, I wouldn't be by your side, fighting to keep you safe? You have no idea how much I care about you, Mia. You've never even asked."

I opened my mouth to respond, but no words came out. The truth of what he was saying hit me harder than I expected. I hadn't realized how much I had underestimated his feelings-or maybe I'd just chosen to ignore them.

Red ran a hand through his messy hair, his breath steadying but his gaze still fierce. "I love you, Mia," he said softly, almost too softly, as if admitting something he wasn't entirely sure about himself. "More than you'll ever know. And when I'm not around, I'm constantly worrying about you. I'm not perfect, I get frustrated too, but that doesn't mean I don't care."

I stood there, stunned, unable to process everything he had just said. My heart raced in my chest, a whirlwind of emotions flooding my thoughts. I had always known Red was protective of me, but I hadn't realized just how deep his feelings went.

"I... I didn't know," I whispered, feeling a lump form in my throat.

Red's face softened slightly, his anger fading as he pulled me into a tight embrace. "You don't have to know everything," he murmured into my hair. "But just know, Mia, I'm always here. And I always will be."

Giovanni stood before us, his eyes scanning each of us with that cold, calculating gaze. He gave a small, amused smile as he looked us over-me, Lillie, Paulo, and Blue-like we were all pieces in a game he was about to manipulate. But it was me who caught his attention the most.

He stepped forward, his shoes clicking softly on the ground, and paused directly in front of me. His eyes narrowed, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. "May I ask you something?" he asked, his voice dripping with curiosity.

I shrugged, unbothered by his sudden focus. "Sure," I replied casually.

Giovanni leaned in slightly, his voice quieter now, as if it were a secret question. "If anything were to happen to you, what would your brother do?"

I didn't hesitate. The answer came naturally. "He would just carry on with his life," I said, my tone innocent and almost playful.

The room went silent for a moment, the air thick with the weight of my words. My teammates-Lillie, Paulo, and Blue-looked at me with wide eyes. Lillie's face mirrored confusion, and Blue's expression shifted into one of nervousness. They were all caught off guard.

Giovanni blinked, genuinely confused now. "Excuse me?"

I simply shrugged again, unaffected. "Red would only be sad if his friends or Pokémon were in danger. Me? Nada."

There was a pause as the meaning of my words sank in. Giovanni's smirk faded slightly, replaced by a frown. He looked between me and the others, clearly thrown off by my bluntness.

Lillie, now visibly upset, spoke up. "But you've never needed help!" she protested, her voice a mixture of disbelief and concern. "You don't know that!"

I rolled my eyes, unable to suppress the bitterness that bubbled up in me. "Lillie, look. My brother used to love me. Now? Not so much," I said flatly, my voice barely above a whisper. The words tasted bitter in my mouth, but they were the truth. Red and I had once been close, but things had changed. I wasn't sure when, but somewhere along the way, the bond between us had started to fray.

Blue, who had been silent until now, was suddenly looking away, his eyes darting nervously toward the doorway. "Oh boy..." he muttered under his breath, his voice low but filled with concern. "He's not happy..."

I followed Blue's gaze, and my heart skipped a beat. Red was standing just outside the room, watching us. His expression was unreadable, but the tension in the air was palpable. His eyes locked onto me, and I could feel the weight of his gaze burning into me.

Before anyone could say another word, Red stepped forward, his movements quick and purposeful. He grabbed my arm and yanked me out of the room, pulling me into the hallway with a force that was almost startling. I barely had time to react before he started to explain.

"Mia," Red began, his voice tight with frustration, "you don't get it. I-"

I cut him off, though my voice was softer than usual. "What are you talking about, Red? I do get it. You've been different with me lately." My words hung in the air between us, heavy with unspoken feelings.

Red's grip on my arm loosened slightly, but he didn't let go. He let out a sigh, his expression softening. "Mia, I... I don't know how to say this, but..." His voice faltered for a moment, and I could see the internal struggle on his face. "I still love you. You're my sister. That's never changed."

I stared at him, confused. "But you act like you don't care."

Red shook his head, frustration creeping into his tone. "It's not that. I just... I don't want to see you getting hurt. And I don't want to admit that I can't always protect you." His voice dropped to a whisper as he continued. "I've always loved you, Mia. I don't know why you think I don't. But I need you to understand, I can't always be the one to fix everything."

I blinked, the words sinking in. "But... I didn't think you cared that much anymore," I admitted, my voice barely audible.

Red's face softened as he pulled me into a tight hug, his arms enveloping me in a way that spoke volumes. "I always care, Mia. I always will," he murmured into my hair.

I felt a lump form in my throat, a mix of emotions flooding through me. I hadn't realized how much I'd been longing for that reassurance. I hadn't realized how much I needed him, even if I'd told myself I didn't.

Meanwhile, back in the room, Giovanni stood, utterly baffled by the exchange he'd just witnessed. His usual calm demeanor had cracked, leaving him visibly confused. "What just happened?" he muttered under his breath, not sure what to make of Red's sudden protective outburst.

Lillie, Paulo, and Blue shared uncertain glances, but no one said a word. It was clear-whatever they had expected from the situation, this wasn't it.

And as for me... I finally understood that even though Red had grown distant in his own way, his love for me hadn't wavered. It had always been there, buried beneath layers of his own struggles.

Giovanni's cold eyes scanned us one by one-me, Lillie, Paulo, and Blue-his gaze lingering for a moment too long on each of us, as though trying to gauge our worth, our reactions. There was something unsettling about the way he sized us up, as if we were pawns in a game, and he already knew his next move.

When his eyes finally landed on me, his lips twisted into that signature smirk. He took a slow step toward me, the air between us charged with something I couldn't quite place. "May I ask you something?" he asked, his voice dripping with a hint of curiosity.

I raised an eyebrow, giving a casual shrug. "Sure."

Giovanni paused for a moment, his eyes narrowing as though weighing his next words carefully. "If anything were to happen to you, what would your brother do?"

Without missing a beat, I answered innocently, "He would just carry on with his life."

The reaction was instant. Lillie gasped, her eyes wide, and Paulo's brows furrowed in disbelief. Blue, however, didn't seem too surprised, though he glanced over at Red with a nervous look on his face.

Giovanni's expression faltered for just a second, confusion flickering in his sharp features. "Excuse me?"

I shrugged again, my tone unwavering. "Red would only be sad if his friends or Pokémon were in danger. Me? Nada."

There was a brief silence before Lillie, as though recovering from the shock of my words, spoke up. "But you've never needed help! You don't know that!"

I rolled my eyes, the words flowing without much thought. "Lillie, look. My brother used to love me. Now? Not so much."

The room went completely still after that. Giovanni looked utterly perplexed, his gaze flickering between me and my teammates, clearly not understanding where I was coming from. Paulo exchanged a glance with Blue, but Blue was staring at something else-something behind me.

"Oh boy..." Blue muttered under his breath, his voice laced with worry. "He's not happy..."

I didn't need to turn around to know who Blue was referring to. A chill swept through the air as I felt Red's presence suddenly loom behind me. My heart sank, and before I could react, Red grabbed me by the arm and pulled me away from the group. His grip was firm, but it wasn't the usual silent, stoic Red I was used to. His movements were quick, urgent.

"Mia," he said, his voice cutting through the tense silence. It was the first time I'd ever heard him speak with such intensity. He didn't usually talk much, but now? His words were heavy, full of emotion. "What are you talking about?"

I frowned, tugging my arm out of his grasp. "I'm talking about the truth, Red. You don't care about me like you used to."

Red's face twisted in confusion, his brows furrowing as if he couldn't quite process what I was saying. He took a step closer, his expression almost pleading. "Mia... You don't understand."

I crossed my arms, a defensive posture taking over me. "Understand what? That you've pushed me aside? I've noticed."

Red shook his head slowly, the words catching in his throat. "That's not it at all. Mia, I-" He stopped, his eyes flickering with a deep vulnerability I wasn't used to seeing from him. And then, for the first time in my life, Red did something that completely caught me off guard.

He knelt down in front of me, his hands gently grasping my shoulders, his eyes locking onto mine. His usual cold demeanor was gone, replaced by something warmer, more raw. "I'm sorry if you feel that way, Mia," he said quietly, his voice barely above a whisper. "I never wanted you to think I didn't care."

I froze, staring down at him in shock, unable to comprehend the weight of his words. And then, in a moment of vulnerability I'd never seen from him before, Red leaned forward and kissed me softly on the nose. It was brief, tender, and filled with more emotion than I ever expected from my usually distant brother.

Giovanni, watching the whole interaction, stood in stunned silence, his confusion only deepening. The rest of my teammates were equally speechless, unsure of what to make of the situation.

I didn't know what to say. My mind was racing, my emotions tangled up in a whirlwind of thoughts. Red... loved me? Had I really been that blind to it all this time?

"Mia," Red said again, his voice softer now, full of earnestness. "I never stopped loving you. But I've been afraid you'd think I didn't care. I'm sorry for how things have been... I really am."

For the first time in what felt like forever, I didn't know what to say. I stood there, staring at my brother-my protector, my confidant-and I realized, maybe... maybe I had misjudged him. Maybe he was always there, in ways I couldn't see.

As the moment stretched on, I finally found my voice. "Red..." I whispered, my throat tight. "I didn't know."

"I'll show you," he said softly, standing up and pulling me into a gentle hug. "I'll show you every day."

Giovanni gave each of us a slow, assessing look, his eyes flicking from me to Lillie, then to Paulo and Blue, as if weighing the worth of each person in front of him. His gaze lingered on me, and then, with an almost casual smirk, he took a step forward.

"May I ask you something?" Giovanni's voice was calm but laced with a hint of amusement.

I tilted my head, raising an eyebrow. "Sure."

He leaned in a little closer, his smirk widening as if he had an interesting question brewing. "If anything were to happen to you, what would your brother do?"

I didn't hesitate. The answer was instinctual, something I had known deep down for as long as I could remember. "He would just carry on with his life," I said, keeping my tone light and innocent.

The reaction was immediate. My teammates gasped, their faces a mixture of shock and concern. Giovanni's expression, however, faltered, confusion sweeping over his features.

"Excuse me?" he asked, his tone clearly taken aback.

I shrugged nonchalantly, unfazed by the reaction. "Red would only be sad if his friends or Pokémon were in danger. Me? Nada."

Lillie's eyes widened in disbelief. "But you've never needed help!" she protested. "You don't know that for sure!"

I rolled my eyes, crossing my arms. "Lillie, look. My brother used to love me. Now? Not so much."

There was a moment of silence before Blue muttered something under his breath, his gaze fixed on something-or rather, someone-off in the distance. "Oh boy... He's not happy..." Blue muttered nervously.

I glanced around, trying to figure out what Blue was talking about when I saw Red standing a few steps behind me, his expression dark. His eyes were narrowed in a way I had never seen before, a storm brewing in them that sent an uneasy shiver down my spine.

Before I could react, Red was on me, his hand gripping my arm tightly as he pulled me away from the group. "Mia," he said, his voice sharp but laced with frustration. "You don't know what you're talking about."

Giovanni, Paulo, Lillie, and Blue watched in stunned silence as Red led me further away. Giovanni looked as confused as my teammates, clearly unable to understand why I had that type of mindset.

Red didn't usually speak much. In fact, he usually preferred silence, letting his actions speak for him. But right now, his voice was louder than anything I'd ever heard from him. "You think I don't care about you?" His words were harsh, but there was something raw in them, something vulnerable. "You think I'd just move on if something happened to you?" He shook his head, stepping closer to me. "Mia, I've loved you since the day you were born, and I'll never stop."

I stared at him, taken aback by his sudden outburst. For a moment, I couldn't say anything. The words felt like they were stuck in my throat, and my mind was spinning.

Before I could form a response, Red bent down, pressing a soft kiss to my cheek. The world seemed to slow down as I stood there, frozen, unable to comprehend what had just happened.

I didn't know how to react. But instinctively, my arms reached out to him, and I hugged him tightly, my face buried in his chest. "I'm sorry," I whispered, feeling the weight of everything I had just said, everything I had thought I understood.

Red's arms wrapped around me, holding me close as if he was afraid to let go. His breath was uneven, and I could feel the tension in his body. He was furious, but I could also feel the care, the love that he had never let me see before.

"Don't ever think that again," he muttered into my hair, his voice shaking slightly. "I care about you more than anyone else in this world, Mia. More than you'll ever know."

I pulled back slightly, looking up at him, my heart heavy with guilt and confusion. "But... I never knew."

Red's eyes softened, though there was still a trace of anger behind them. "I know. I've never been good at showing it. But that doesn't mean it's not there. I love you, Mia. More than I can put into words."

I didn't know what to say. My chest felt tight, the weight of his confession pressing down on me. For years, I had thought I understood the dynamic between us-thought that his silence meant indifference. But now, standing here in his arms, I realized how wrong I had been.

"Red..." I whispered, my voice breaking slightly as I looked up at him, my hands still gripping his shirt. "I'm so sorry."

He shook his head, his eyes softer now. "It's alright. Just don't ever think that I wouldn't care. You're my sister, Mia. And I'd do anything to keep you safe."

Giovanni, still standing off to the side with the others, was completely bewildered by the turn of events. Blue had his hand on his forehead, muttering something under his breath, while Lillie and Paulo exchanged looks of confusion.

As Red and I stood there, wrapped in an embrace, I realized that some things didn't need words to be understood. His actions-his love-spoke louder than anything else ever could.

Giovanni's eyes scanned each of us carefully-me, Lillie, Paulo, and Blue. He gave us a lookover, his gaze lingering just long enough for it to feel unsettling. Then, he stepped closer, his smirk ever-present.

"May I ask you something?" he asked, his voice smooth and confident.

I raised an eyebrow and shrugged casually. "Sure."

"If anything were to happen to you, what would your brother do?" He stepped toward me, his eyes glinting with curiosity.

I didn't hesitate, my words coming out with an almost innocent tone. "He would just carry on with his life."

A collective gasp echoed from my teammates. They all looked at me, wide-eyed and incredulous.

Giovanni's expression shifted to one of confusion. "Excuse me?"

I shrugged again, nonchalantly. "Red would only be sad if his friends or Pokémon were in danger. Me? Nada."

Lillie immediately jumped in, her tone defensive. "But you've never needed help! You don't know that!"

Rolling my eyes, I crossed my arms, getting a little frustrated. "Lillie, look. My brother used to love me. Now? Not so much."

Blue glanced around nervously, looking from me to Red, and then back to me. "Oh boy... he's not happy..." Blue muttered, his voice filled with concern.

At that moment, I felt a shift in the air. I glanced at Red, only to see him standing rigidly, his usual calm demeanor completely gone. His face was a storm of frustration and something deeper-hurt, maybe. And before anyone could stop him, Red grabbed me by the wrist and yanked me out of the room, his grip tight enough to make me stumble.

"Red-!" I started, but he wasn't listening. He dragged me down the hallway and into an empty space, far away from Giovanni and the others.

I tried to pull away, but Red's hold was unyielding. He stopped in the middle of the hallway and, for the first time in ages, he spoke. His voice was low, almost dangerously so, as he turned to face me.

"Mia," he said, his eyes intense. "What do you think I am, a monster?"

I stared at him, confused. "What? No... I never said that-"

"Yes, you did," he cut me off. His face softened just a fraction, and he let go of my wrist, his hands moving to my shoulders as he leaned in. "You think I wouldn't care? You think I wouldn't be devastated if something happened to you?"

I swallowed hard, my heart suddenly racing. "Red... I didn't mean-"

Before I could finish my sentence, Red leaned down and kissed my cheek, his lips soft against my skin. It wasn't a kiss of romance, but one of care, of something much deeper. He pulled back and sighed, looking at me with a mix of frustration and something else-relief, maybe.

"Mia," he whispered, "I've always loved you. I always will. I'm just... protective. And I know I don't always show it, but I... I don't want you to think I'm just going to move on if something happens. I'll be lost without you."

I blinked, my throat tightening as I processed his words. I'd never heard him say anything like that before. Never. He didn't speak much, but when he did, it was usually blunt and to the point. But this... this was different. This was more.

Tears stung my eyes, and before I could stop myself, I threw my arms around him, hugging him tight. "Red, I- I'm sorry. I didn't know. I didn't mean to hurt you."

Red's arms immediately enveloped me, holding me close like he never wanted to let go. He didn't say anything at first, just held me tightly, as if making sure I wasn't going anywhere. After a few moments, he pulled back slightly and looked at me, his eyes serious.

"You don't get to say stuff like that, Mia. Not about me. Not about us," he said firmly, though there was still a trace of tenderness in his voice.

I nodded, my chest tight as I tried to keep my composure. "I won't say it again. I promise."

Just then, Blue, Lillie, and the rest of the group appeared at the end of the hallway. They'd been waiting, probably too nervous to approach. Giovanni, though still confused, had no idea what just happened, but his face held a strange mixture of amusement and curiosity.

Red glared at them all for a moment before turning back to me. His gaze softened, and I saw the protective brother I had always known. He wasn't angry anymore; he was just... there.

"Now," Red said, standing straighter, his usual cool demeanor returning, "let's get back to work. We've got more important things to do while talking about how much I care about my sister."

I smiled, still a bit shaky, but grateful. "Thanks, Red," I whispered.

He didn't say anything else, but the way he looked at me made it clear that the conversation wasn't over-not by a long shot.

Giovanni's cold eyes scanned the group-me, Lillie, Paulo, and Blue-before settling on each of us in turn. He was assessing us like we were nothing more than pawns in his grand game, but that wasn't new. What was new was the unsettling look in his eyes when he finally stepped toward me.

"May I ask you something?" Giovanni's smirk was laced with something I couldn't quite read, but it sent a chill down my spine.

I shrugged, trying to appear unaffected. "Sure."

He leaned in slightly, his gaze narrowing. "If anything were to happen to you, what would your brother do?"

Without missing a beat, I responded with a quiet confidence. "He would just carry on with his life."

There was an audible gasp from my teammates.

Giovanni blinked in surprise, clearly not expecting that answer. "Excuse me?"

I shrugged again, my tone casual. "Red would only be sad if his friends or Pokémon were in danger. Me? Nada."

The silence that followed felt heavy, like something was about to break. Lillie was the first to speak, her voice filled with concern. "But you've never needed help! You don't know that!"

I rolled my eyes, a little exasperated. "Lillie, look. My brother used to love me. Now? Not so much."

A tense silence fell over the group. Giovanni's brow furrowed in confusion, trying to process what I had just said. My words seemed to have thrown him off balance, but I wasn't done.

Blue was looking at something-no, someone-nervously. His gaze was fixed on Red, and his voice dropped to a whisper. "Oh boy... He's not happy..." Blue muttered under his breath.

I hadn't noticed at first, but now that I did, I felt my stomach drop. Red was standing there, his face like stone, staring at me with an unreadable expression. And then, without a word, he started to walk toward me, grabbing me by the arm and practically dragging me out of the room.

"Red!" I protested, trying to pull away, but he was too strong. He wasn't angry-he was furious. His grip tightened on my wrist as we stepped into a quieter corridor, and that's when he finally spoke.

"Why did you say that?" His voice was low, but there was a biting edge to it, one I'd rarely ever heard from him. "You think I don't care about you?"

I blinked, my own emotions swirling in a mix of confusion and frustration. "I didn't say that... I just-"

"You think I'd be fine if something happened to you?" He interrupted, his eyes flashing with something darker. "You think I'd just... carry on with my life, like nothing matters? You think I'm some kind of monster?"

I froze, my heart skipping a beat. The words hit harder than I expected. It wasn't like I wanted to hurt him; I just... I wasn't used to feeling the way he made me feel. The way he always acted like he didn't care, even though I knew deep down he did. I swallowed hard, unable to meet his eyes.

When I didn't respond, Red's expression softened, but it was still filled with pain. "Oh," he said quietly. "You really do think I'm a monster."

I was speechless. I didn't know what to say, not when he looked at me like that. His hands, which had been gripping me tightly, softened, and he let out a frustrated sigh. "Mia, I love you. I've always loved you. More than you'll ever understand. But you think that just because I don't show it the way you expect, it means I don't care."

My breath hitched, and for the first time, I realized just how wrong I'd been. I had always assumed that Red didn't care about me the way I cared about him-he was distant, quiet, reserved. But he was just like that because he didn't know how to express what he felt.

Before I could respond, Red took a step forward, cupping my face in his hands. The warmth of his touch calmed the storm inside me, and for a fleeting moment, the world felt still.

Then, without another word, Red leaned down and kissed me softly on the cheek.

It was a simple gesture, but it sent waves of warmth rushing through me. I couldn't help it-I pulled him into a tight hug, burying my face in his chest. His arms wrapped around me, pulling me close as if to shield me from everything.

"Red, I'm sorry," I whispered against him, my voice thick with emotion. "I didn't mean to make you feel like that."

He didn't say anything for a moment. Instead, he just held me tighter, as if trying to reassure both of us. When he finally spoke, his voice was rough, but tender. "You never have to apologize. Just... don't ever think I don't care about you. Not ever again."

I nodded against him, feeling his heartbeat thudding in my ear. He was still angry, but the love and care in his touch told me everything I needed to know. He loved me-he really did-and I had finally realized it, even if it had taken a moment of pain to get there.

"I won't," I promised softly, tightening my arms around him. "I won't ever think that again."

Red let out a sigh of relief, his voice muffled by the top of my head. "Good. Because I'll never stop loving you, Mia. No matter what."

In that moment, with Red holding me so tightly, I knew that we were stronger than anything Giovanni could throw at us. Together, we'd face whatever came next-no matter how hard it was.