She barely looked at me before whispering, “I’m so sorry, Mel.”

At the time, I assumed she was simply grieving with us.

Now I wasn’t sure.

I looked at Willie.

“Mom?”

“Go downstairs for me.”

He hesitated.

“Are you going to ask Dad?”

“Yes.”

He nodded.

I waited until he left, took a deep breath, and went downstairs.

Robert stood at the kitchen sink scrubbing an already spotless pan.

“Robert.”

He didn’t turn.

“Hey.”

“Stop.”

He kept scrubbing for another second.

“Put the sponge down and look at me.”

His hand slowed.

Then he turned.

His expression changed the moment he saw my face.

“What happened?”

“Why was Claire at the hospital that night?”

For half a second, fear crossed his face.

Then it vanished.

“She came to check on us.”

“At night?”

“Everything from that night runs together, Mel. I don’t even know what time it was.”

“It doesn’t for Willie.”

His fingers tightened around the sponge.

“What does Willie have to do with Claire?”

“He saw you near the elevators.”

Robert froze.

“He saw the envelope.”

His expression shifted again.

“What was in it?”

“Nothing that matters.”

“It matters to me.”

“Melanie…”

“What was in the envelope?”

He exhaled.

“Money.”

“Why?”

“Rent. Groceries. Her separation has been rough.”

I stared at him.

“He saw Claire leave with a crying baby.”

Robert’s face collapsed.