I stood frozen for three heartbeats, then looked back. Melissa had retreated into the room. I found her sitting on the bed, her face still pale but composed now, eerily composed.

“What was that about?” I asked.

“How should I know?” Melissa’s voice was steady, but her fingers knotted in the blanket. “Your ex-wife, right? Maybe she’s just bitter, seeing you happy with someone else. With a baby. It can make people crazy.”