“Column after column of ugliness and lies,” Robert said, tossing the paper aside. “Calling you a cleaner, a janitor...an ugly illiterate who most likely blackmailed Kane into marrying her. Do you know that photo of you they keep using? They’re saying your cheeks aren’t filled with nuts...they’re filled with gold.”

Hearing a blip of a laugh escape Joanna’s lips, Robert’s eyes turned dark. “Do you think this is funny?” he growled. “That the whole bloody world is calling my daughter a thief! It’s bad enough they believe that you’re a sodding dyke, but now they’re calling you a common grifter!”

“Dad, relax,” Joanna said, sitting on the bed. “You and I both know it’s not true.”

“Oh, so that makes it okay?” Robert said. “I know we don’t have any family, but what about the friends we made in Burnt Oak, or those people you worked with at the bookstore? What about those churches you cleaned? Do you really want those priests and pastors to think you’re a bloody thief?”

“Of course not, Dad, but what do you want me to do?”

Grasping the handle of his cane, Robert pushed himself to his feet. “I want you to stop hiding! I want you to stop spending your days bored out of your mind, and your meals holed up with me in the kitchen or up here for fear of upsetting that woman. This is as much your house as it is hers, and since this is the life you chose...start bloody living it!”

“I am living it, Dad. When she’s not around...”

“That’s exactly my point!” Robert said, pounding his cane on the floor. “That woman...” Robert stopped, running his fingers through his hair, “Oh hell, what’s her name.”

“Who?”

“Older one. Seems to run the place.”

“Oh, you mean Evelyn.”

“Yeah, that’s right,” Robert said, nodding. “She told me you ate dinner with Kane one night. Is that true?”

“Yes. It was when you had the cold.”

“Why did you stop?”

“Sorry?”

“Why was it only one meal?”

“Look, Dad, I only did it because Evelyn thought I should start taking my place around here given the fact I’m Addison’s wife, but it fell flat. Addison acted like I didn’t even exist. She didn’t say one word. Hell, she didn’t even make a sound. Besides, I’m not going to have you eating supper up here alone.”