Joanna had only made that mistake once, in the early days. Denise had made it clear that although she was married to Joanna’s father, she wasn’t, and never would be, Joanna’s mother. She’d never wanted maternal responsibility. She’d wanted Joanna’s father, and Joanna had been an unwanted added extra.

Her last encounter with Denise had been one of the worst moments of her life.

Joanna registered pain in her hands and realized she was gripping the wheel so tightly she was restricting blood flow.

Releasing the wheel with one hand and then the other, she flexed her fingers.

How would the inhabitants of Silver Point feel about her return? No doubt there would be a ripple of trepidation, but since Joanna had no intention of mixing with the local community that didn’t matter.

She would do what she did best. Lie low. She’d live the way she’d been living in LA, only this time she had the view, the beach that nestled at the foot of her property and a higher chance of privacy.

And she was going to need privacy, thanks to her most recent decision. You think I made bad decisions in the past, Denise? Wait until you see what I’ve done this time.

In the passenger seat next to her, the girl shifted. “I still can’t believe you’re doing this.”

Joanna couldn’t believe she was doing it, either. “Well, I am.”

“I keep waiting for you to throw me out on a street corner.”

“I’m not throwing you anywhere, Ashley.” It was too late for that. She’d made her decision and now she had to live with it.

“I don’t know why you’re being nice to me. I was in the car with your husband.”

“Ex-husband.” Damn you, Cliff. Suppressing her anger, Joanna kept her eyes fixed on the road.

“But you have no reason to help me.”

Joanna wished she’d stop talking. “Do you have anyone else who could help you?”

There was a long silence. “No.” Ashley’s voice sounded smaller. “I was trying to help myself. That’s what adults do, isn’t it?” She made it sound as if she’d recently accepted a new role and was trying it on for size.

“There’s nothing wrong with accepting help, Ashley.”

“So you’re doing this because—why?”