Ethan fell back into his leather chair, breathing heavily in the room.
He looked up at Elena, who remained standing quietly near the desk.
Ethan: How did you find these papers inside my private library?
Elena: I was cleaning the top shelves when a book fell loose.
Elena: The folder was hidden behind my late mother's old journal.
Ethan froze instantly, his eyes locked onto Elena's calm face.
Ethan: What did you just say about your mother's journal?
Elena reached into her coat pocket and pulled out a silver ring.
It was shaped like a small crest with two crossed silver feathers.
Ethan gasped, recognizing the family crest his late wife always wore.
Ethan: Where did you get that ring, Elena? Tell me now!
Elena: My mother gave it to me before she passed away years ago.
Elena: Her name was Clara Vance, your sister who went missing.
Ethan stood up slowly, his hands trembling as he approached the nanny.
He had spent years searching for his lost younger sister Clara.
Clara had left home during a family dispute and never returned back.
Ethan: You are Clara's daughter? You are my real niece?
Elena: Yes, Uncle Ethan, I came here to find my family.
Tears filled Ethan's eyes as he looked closely at Elena's features.
He recognized his sister's soft grey eyes and warm, gentle smile.
Ethan: Why did you come here as a simple nanny, Elena?
Elena: I wanted to know if you were a safe person first.
Elena: I saw how Victoria ran this house and decided to stay.
Ethan covered his mouth with his hand, overwhelmed by deep emotion.
He thought of how close he came to firing her earlier today.
Ethan: I almost turned you away because of that terrible woman's lies.
Elena: You were trying to protect Lily, just like a father should.
The study door creaked open, and tiny Lily stood in the entryway.
She held her favorite stuffed bear tight against her small chest.
Lily: Daddy, is the mean lady gone away from our house?
Ethan knelt down on the soft rug and opened his arms wide.
Ethan: Yes, sweetie, she is gone and she will never return.