A read operation just retrieves the bytes that are available on the serial port. Means that these bytes are there because they have already been sent by the connected device. They may be remains from a previous communication.
Your protocol should ensure that
1/ the serial buffer is empty before your start your communication session.
2/ you read either a specified number of bytes, or all the incoming bytes, using a timeout in case of failure
3/ you leave things clean after communication (empty buffer, close port...).
Try to be e more specific if you need further help.
Chilly Charly (aka CC)