Chapter 48: Had a Brother

The small office that stood as the clinic’s reception and treatment area was filled with people in no time.

Andy stared at them while urging June to sign the receiving note so they could all get out of his office.

Reluctantly, she appended her signature to the note, collecting the packages with a heavy heart.

Now that they were different packages from different delivery men, she could tell it was no mistake.

Someone was trying to mess with her.

When they were gone, Andy turned to her, not with annoyance but curiosity.

"Someone got herself a secret admirer."

June almost rolled her eyes at him, but instead, she turned to check if there were notes attached to the rest of the packages, just like the first one.

There were.

And every note was expressing different ways in which her unknown, so-called brother cared for her. Every package also had a number, and the last was named ’My Tenth Gift to You.’

After reading the last note, June turned to Andy.

"I’m really sorry for the mess this is making in your clinic. I’ll find a way to pack them and make the place organized again."

But Andy was looking anything but angry. He shook his head.

"Won’t you open the package? Let’s see what’s in it."

June doubted she needed to open it, especially since she had no idea who sent it.

She remembered the box she had seen in Rauf’s hand, and a frown marred her face. What if this was Rauf’s way of making her accept his gift by force?

She stared at the boxes as if they were ticking time bombs.

"At least open one of them," he urged. "You might know who the package is from if you open one of them."

With Andy breathing down her neck, his interest in the package greater than anything else, June sighed.

"Fine. I’ll open it."

She pushed the remaining boxes to the side and focused on tearing open the first big box she had brought into the clinic. It was the biggest of all the boxes.

Andy helped her make it faster.

After she had finally torn the box open, she pulled out the most beautiful dress she had ever set her eyes on.

It was a long, baby-blue dress with little lace at the tips as decoration. The neckline was low-cut, showing off her beautiful neckline.

It felt like whoever had sent this dress knew exactly what she looked like.

"This is so beautiful," Andy gushed behind her.

For a brief moment, June had forgotten Andy was behind her. Her attention had been captivated by the dress in front of her.

"Any idea who might have sent it?" Andy asked.

June shook her head, but as she intended to return the dress into the bag so it wouldn’t get stained, she saw another note in the bag.

’Wear this to the introduction party. You deserve it more than anyone.’

Immediately, the wheels in her head started turning.

An introduction party.

The only party she had pending was the one Serena had invited her to, and it was for Amie.

Could it be?

Just as she was finishing her thoughts, the door opened and Chris stepped in.

He was looking as dazzling as ever. His gaze moved from the gifts to June, and there was this tender way he looked at her. It was different from the way he used to look at her.

Andy moved forward and nodded slightly.

"Welcome, Mr. Vassari. How can we be of help to you? Do you need something for your dog? Food or medicine?"

Chris chuckled.

"It’s fine. I’m here to see June."

Andy opened his mouth and closed it back before excusing them by going into the inner office.

June wanted to ask if he was the one who sent the gifts to her, but Chris beat her to it.

"I can see you have received my gifts." He put his hand in his pocket with the ease of someone who was very comfortable with himself. "Do you like them?"

June’s eyes moved from one box to another, all unopened.

"What’s the meaning of this? Why are you showering me with gifts, and what’s with the note from my brother? Isn’t your precious sister, Amie?"

There was no shift in Chris’s eyes. He looked like he couldn’t be bothered by her question.

"Because it’s true. I am your brother."

June sneered.

"Is this a game of pity? Do you feel sorry for me because I couldn’t find my mother? So, you decided to be a fake brother to appease me. I’m thankful, but I am also sorry. I don’t need your pity. I’m fine."

For a brief moment, a flicker of sadness washed over him, but it was gone just as soon as it had come.

"If you feel this way, I’m sorry. I didn’t consider how you must have felt when I prepared these gifts. I just wanted to give you something." He took a deep breath. "And I wasn’t joking. You’re my sister, and my mother is your mother."

June searched his face for any sign of a smile. There was none.

"If I am your sister, then what of Amie?" She pointed to the box. "You even sent me a dress to wear to her introduction party. And I thought we were friends."

Chris smiled.

"I knew you wouldn’t believe it, and that’s why I brought this."

He dug his hand into his pocket and produced the copy of the DNA test.

He had made different copies of it and kept them in the house.

June’s eyes widened as she read through the report. Each word danced in front of her as she tried to understand what was happening right now.

"Really!"

Her voice wavered, and she felt moisture in her eyes.

Imagine she had been searching for her mother for a while, only for someone to just tell her who she was, even with evidence.

Chris continued.

"I don’t know if you remember when I was helping you pick dirt from your hair. It was a lie. I needed it as a sample for the DNA. I already guessed you’re my sister before doing the test. I took yours and Mother’s DNA to find the truth."

He wanted to hold her, but he was taking it step by step.

"I’m sorry I used your hair without permission."

June opened and closed her mouth. She remembered when Chris had pulled her hair, but...

"What about Amie? What’s she then?"

Chris sighed.

"She’s nothing but a fraud. And I intend to teach her a lesson. I just hope you can keep this a secret until after the introduction party."

It sounded absurd to June. For years, she had been lonely without a family, but now that she had found her family, she still had to keep it a secret.

"What about Mother?"

"She has no idea yet, too. I wanted to surprise her."

June stared at him.

"So, I should wait for her while Amie continues living my life."

Some of the confidence with which he had been speaking since morning slipped.

"I’m sorry, but this is all I can do. It’s all for your protection," he said. "I want you to promise you’ll keep quiet about it until I say otherwise."

She nodded.

"But what about Amie? Did you run the test with her too?"

Chris nodded.

"And just as you might have imagined, it is a zero percent chance with her."

If it was all for the future, then she didn’t mind one bit that she had to wait for him.

It must have been her father who put Amie up to it, and he could be dangerous. Keeping it a secret was the best thing for now.

"Once you’re done with today’s work, can we eat out together?"

June almost laughed.

"Absolutely."

After the pursuit, Rauf returned to the hotel looking defeated, like he couldn’t understand why she was treating him that way.

Messages dropped onto his phone from Henson. Just like the previous day, he had stayed behind to keep him updated on what she had been up to.

Maybe understanding her recent activities would help him understand her better.

Yet, he also felt she needed a guard.

What if someone attacked her in such a disappointing environment?

’She arrived late.’

’Received a parcel from a delivery man.’

Each report was sent with images of what she was doing at the moment.

Soon, he had a detailed report of what she had done that day and endless pictures to choose from.

He was still checking them when he received a message from his mother.

"When are you coming back home? The house feels empty without you."

Rauf stared at the message with a frown.

His mother was part of those who had conspired to make Amie his wife when she knew clearly who he was married to.

Ignoring her message, he continued staring at the pictures.

Whatever it was, it seemed like he needed a different method to win her back.