Julian crossed his arms and looked out the window.
The sun was shining brightly over the green lawn.
He remembered his father's final days in the hospital.
His father had tried to say something important back then.
Now the missing piece of the puzzle was here.
Clara stood quietly near the white towel table.
Julian: Does our family lawyer know about this?
Mrs. Vance: He prepared the adoption papers years ago.
Julian: So my father hid an entire child?
Mrs. Vance: He made mistakes, but Clara is innocent.
Clara: I never asked for any inheritance money.
Julian turned around to face the young woman again.
He saw no greed in her small tired eyes.
He only saw a girl who wanted a family.
The harsh feeling inside his heart began to melt.
He remembered how hard she worked every single day.
She cleaned the rooms without ever complaining once.
She treated his sick mother with true sweet kindness.
Julian: Why did you take a maid's job?
Clara: It was the only way to get close.
Julian: You could have just written a letter.
Clara: I was afraid you would reject me.
Mrs. Vance: And you almost did today, Julian.
Julian sat back down and rubbed his forehead hard.
The whole situation was bigger than he had thought.
His anger was turning into deep personal shame.
He had judged her without knowing her true story.
He looked at the American flag hanging above them.
It reminded him of honor and truth in life.
Julian: I spoke to you very harshly, Clara.
Clara: You were only protecting your mother, sir.
Julian: Do not call me sir anymore, please.
Mrs. Vance: He is your brother, my dear Clara.
Clara wiped away another single warm tear.
Julian reached out his hand towards his sister.
The long hidden secret was finally fully exposed.
There were no more lies left inside this room.
The path forward was starting to become clear.