“I’m not doing this because it’s my job,” Greg said. “I’m doing this for a friend. A good friend.”

Joanna squeezed his arm. “I’ll deal with this, Greg.”

Ashley swallowed. She stood up, too. What was Joanna doing? It looked as if she was going to talk to the press. But that couldn’t be right. She never talked to the press. She never gave interviews.

She saw Joanna smile at the other people on the terrace.

“I apologize for the disturbance. I hope you enjoy your lunch.” With that, she walked down the steps onto the beach, and stood directly in front of the group with their cameras and their microphones.

Ashley grabbed her purse and followed. If Joanna was doing this, then so was she.

She followed Joanna down the steps and stood next to her.

There was no doubt as to who was in control, and it wasn’t the crowd with the cameras and the microphones. She aspired to have half Joanna’s poise and dignity.

“Joanna! Joanna Whitman—”

“It’s Rafferty.” Joanna was cool and calm.

“You changed your name? Why?”

“I stopped sharing my life with Cliff a long time ago. It seemed wrong to keep sharing his name.” The way she said it made it sound entirely logical.

“Is it true that you’re leaving the company?”

“Yes, that’s true.”

“Are you going to be staying in Silver Point? What will you be doing?”

“I’ll be staying. This is my home, and I’ll be building a life here. That’s what I want. I hope you’ll agree that I deserve it.”

“When did you discover that Cliff had a child?”

“Is it true that Ashley is living with you?”

The questions came in a flood but this time Joanna simply lifted a hand. “I won’t be answering any more questions.”

The reporters turned their attention to Ashley.

They yelled her name and pointed microphones. “How does it feel to know you’re Cliff Whitman’s daughter? How do you feel now you know who you are?”

How did she feel? She felt like a zoo exhibit.

How did anyone put up with this? It was so intrusive. So personal. All your mess strewn right there for everyone to witness, like someone looking inside your bedroom before you’d had a chance to tidy it. Yes, her life was a mess, but it was her mess and hers alone. She didn’t want to share it with the world. She didn’t want strangers picking through the pieces of her life and judging her.

She felt vulnerable and alone and then Joanna stepped in front of her.

“That’s enough.” Her voice was firm. “We’ve said all we intend to say.”

Ashley felt shaky with relief and gratitude.

She wasn’t alone.

She had Joanna. Joanna, who had coped with this for years on her own.