Julie was confused looking at the smiling man sitting in front of her. His emerald green eyes reminded her of, her own eyes. Though they had never met earlier in her life, she felt an odd sense of calmness around him. His complete black attire, along with the roughed up look might have emitted a dangerous aura to others but for Julie, it was quite the opposite. She felt a sense of calmness and peace, as she gazed at him.

"Um...I apologise sir but are you... someone I should have been informed about earlier," she stuttered out hesitantly.

"Nope, it's completely alright. It is better this way," he replied again with an affectionate smile. And this time the smile reached his eyes. "I'm Vincent, your second eldest brother. Also, the one who would be accompanying you to our home". Though Julie recognised the warm look in his eyes, the mere concept of having brothers seemed unfathomable to her.

"Brother?" she asked with her head tilted towards the side in confusion.

"Yes. Brother! We are a family of five including you. So..." he paused dramatically as if explaining to a small child and enunciated. "You have three more brothers."

Julie instantly froze. Her face reverting to the blank guarded look.

'Four brothers...four males...I hate all men.' Flashes of trauma that she suffered at the hands of some cruel men repeated in her brain.

"I'm sorry, but I genuinely think... you are mistaken. I have been a single child, from the moment I was born...," she replied in a stiff tone. Slight tremors ran down her thin body. 'Mother always mentioned I was her only child. Was that a lie? It couldn't be...But what if...'

"You probably were never informed about our existence. We were equally surprised too, my dear sister. We never had knowledge of your existence till a few days ago. And I for sure regret not getting to know you earlier," he continued with a slight pause as his intent gaze concentrated on the petite girl. A flicker of worry passed through his eyes at the small shivers that ran down her frail body. "Too much information might have startled you, I apologise for that. We can slowly get to know each other."

With a swift push, he quickly raised from the chair and offered a glass of water to his sister. In his thoughts, she seemed like an angel compared to him and the rest of their brothers.

"I'm certain you still have your doubts. So, would you like to look at our DNA match test result?" he questioned her in a gentle tone, to not startle the little girl.

Julie directed her eyes down, unsure of how to reply. Deep inside her heart, she felt he was telling the truth. But her brain was scared to believe. She had been betrayed too many times in her life. All the people she believed in, ended up deceiving her.

Vincent placed a file in front of her softly.

"Though it might be hard to accept in the start. We are indeed your brothers and your family," he voiced out his true thoughts in a firm tone.

She realised, the person in front of her was different from all the other men who were present in her life. Though she was reluctant to accept the concept of having brothers, she wanted to give them a chance.

'Maybe, having brothers won't be a bad thing after all. Hopefully, the others are also as warm as him.'

With a slight tug on her sleeves, she soothed her heart and steeled her resolve.

"I am Juliette and, you can...call me Julie," she waved shyly and pushed back the bangs that covered her face. A mild smile adorned her face, which brought out a new feeling of happiness to the heart of the Ricci brother.

"AH! Just a wave? Won't you give this lovely new brother a hug?" he joked mildly winking at her.

"I'm not so sure..," she whispered back.

Gazing at the reluctant reaction on her face, Vincent deduced her to be extremely shy and, slowly leaned forward to encase her in a warm side hug.

"Ouch!" A sharp pain shot through her ankle as she tried to move back from her seating position. Unknowingly, her body winced and shivered at the pain that vibrated to the rest of her body.

"Are you alright? Is it aching somewhere? The doctors in charge mentioned that you were completely fine," he asked with an anxious look.

Slowly, his face morphed into a look of seriousness as he followed the gaze of his sister to her ankle. A slight bulge around the size of a golf ball was seen underneath the sheet covers on his sister's legs.

"Julie, did something happen to your leg?" he frowned, as the room dropped in temperature slightly.

She slightly squeaked under his intense stare, "It's nothing much. Just a slight...scratch,"

But before she could utter the last word, Vincent was swift to dial for the doctor. He was internally seething at the carelessness of the doctor.

'How dare he not conduct a full check-up and casually overlook the health condition of our princess!'

A knock was heard on the door, followed by the doctor and two nurses rushing frantically inside the room along with Anthony. They lined up in front of the bed as Vincent leaned back on his chair while giving a sharp glare towards them.

"Looks like my sister still has a severe untreated injury. Instantly look into it," he gave out a sharp order. Strains of unrestrained anger could be detected in his voice. But, he was trying to keep it low, to not startle the little angel.

"Where is it paining, miss?" the anxious doctor questioned frantically as his hands were slightly shaking due to the intensity of the glare that was directed towards him by the cold Ricci brother.

With gentle movements, Julie nudged the hospital gown which revealed an ugly purple bruise on her ankle.

A shocked gasp was heard from the nurses, the doctor immediately reached towards her ankle for a quick inspection.

"I fear there is a deep hairline fracture. We need to conduct a scan to confirm the further treatment," the doctor informed in a trembling voice.

"Arrange it immediately. We would be leaving the hospital in three hours. So won't you be a dear and finish up a full health check-up. And let's hope there won't be any errors this time." A chilling malicious smile spread across the Ricci brother's face, as he slowly raised from his chair.

He leaned forwards and placed a tender kiss on his sister's forehead.

"Take care, little sister. There are a few pending works to handle, so I would pick you up in three hours. Also,..." he gazed at the stern elder man standing behind him." Anthony here would be guarding this room. If you find anything unsettling make sure to inform him."

Anthony bowed slightly in respect towards the Ricci princess. The little girl's eyes widened in curiosity and bewilderment while her cheeks slowly tinted in red. She replied with yet another, small shy wave towards him.

With a quick turn, Vincent left the room followed by Anthony.

"Make arrangements to bring that doctor along. Leonardo would be delighted to have an extra doctor for the dungeon," he commanded sharply.

The guards around them stifled at the harsh command. It was a dreadful place where all the nightmares came true for the worst offenders and the doctors there need to barter their souls to the devils while signing a lifetime contract with them.

On the other side of the door, the little girl felt a slight tremor as the doctor prepared documents for various tests.

'What if they find out about the abuse? What if they leave me? Mom said I was a worthless person after all'

"Doctor..." she called out in a frail voice. "Can you please promise me something?"

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(1310 words)

Did you like this chapter?

What do you think the promise is about?

Reading your comments, messages and positive feedback always puts a smile on my face. It would be great if you can keep showing love to Julie and her brothers as the story continues. Comment down your thoughts, suggestions or anything you wish to.

Also, just a random question, what is the one story genre that you gravitate towards the most?