The iron gates of the Collins estate swung open with a quiet hum as Eric's car approached the circular driveway.
"Welcome home, sir," the automated voice announced from the security system.
Eric muttered under his breath, "Home sweet prison."
The morning sun cast long shadows across the manicured lawns, highlighting the perfect balance of the hedges and the perfect white columns that supported the mansion's grand entrance.
Eric parked his car next to the marble fountain in the center of the driveway, its water flowing in gentle arcs that caught the light like scattered diamonds.
He sat for a moment, staring up at the imposing front of his family home.
"Well, this is it," he said to himself. "Time to face the music."
The house was everything Hailey's modest apartment wasn't — large, expensive, and carefully maintained.
But as he climbed the stone steps to the front door, Eric found himself missing the warmth and simplicity of her small kitchen, the way her books had been stacked carelessly on the coffee table, the genuine smile she had given him when he complimented her cooking.
The front door opened before he could reach for his keys, and Margaret, the housekeeper, stood waiting with a knowing look in her eyes.
"Good morning, Mr. Eric," she said, her voice carrying just the slightest hint of amusement. "I trust you had a pleasant evening."
"Very pleasant, thank you, Margaret," Eric replied, stepping into the marble foyer. "Has my brother left for work yet?"
"Mr. Edward departed an hour ago," Margaret said, taking Eric's jacket from his shoulders. "But you have a visitor waiting in the morning room."
Eric raised an eyebrow, glancing at his watch.
It was barely eight in the morning, early even by his family's standards.
"At this hour? Who is the early bird?" he asked, though something in Margaret's expression already told him he wasn't going to like the answer.
"Ms. Victoria," Margaret said, her tone carefully neutral. "She arrived about twenty minutes ago."
"Victoria?" Eric's stomach dropped.
Victoria was the last person he wanted to see right now, especially when his mind was still full of thoughts about Hailey.
"What does she want?"
"I believe she mentioned something about catching up," Margaret said. "She seemed quite... determined to wait for you."
"Of course she did," Eric muttered. "Thank you, Margaret. I'll go see what she wants."
"Shall I prepare fresh coffee, sir?"
"Make it strong," Eric said. "I have a feeling I'm going to need it."
The morning room was soaked in golden sunlight that streamed through the tall windows overlooking the garden.
Victoria sat in one of the cream-colored armchairs, her legs crossed elegantly, a cup of tea balanced on her knee.
She was dressed in a perfectly tailored navy dress that complemented her blonde hair, which was pulled back in a sleek updo.
Even at eight in the morning, she looked like she had stepped out of a magazine.
"Good morning, Eric," she said, her voice warm but curious as she looked him up and down with obvious interest. "You look like you've had an interesting night."
Eric was suddenly aware of his wrinkled shirt and the way his hair was still slightly damp from the shower he had taken at Hailey's apartment.
"Good morning, Victoria," he said, settling into the chair across from her. "You're up early."
Victoria's blue eyes sparkled with amusement as she set down her teacup.
"I could say the same about you," she said. "Though I suspect you're just getting home rather than getting up early."
Eric felt heat creep up his neck, but he kept his expression neutral.
"What brings you by?" he asked, avoiding her question.
Victoria leaned forward slightly, her expression shifting from amused to genuinely curious.
"I was hoping we could catch up," she said. "It's been months since we've had a proper conversation, and I feel like I hardly know what's going on in your life anymore."
Eric studied her face, trying to read the meaning behind her words.
Victoria had always been good at saying one thing while meaning another, a skill that had served her well in her acting career.
"There's not much to catch up on," he said carefully. "Work, family obligations, the usual."
"The usual doesn't typically involve staying out all night," Victoria said, her tone teasing but pointed. "Come on, Eric. Who is she?"
Eric felt his jaw tighten.
"I don't know what you mean."
Victoria laughed.
"Oh, please, Eric," she said. "I've known you since you were in college. I can tell when you're hiding something."
She paused, studying his face. "Besides, you have that look."
"What look?" Eric asked, though he was already regretting the question.
"The look of a man who has been thoroughly kissed," Victoria said, her smile widening. "And unless you've taken up a very interesting hobby, I'm guessing there's a woman involved."
Eric suddenly stood up and walked over to the window to avoid Victoria's knowing stare.
The garden outside was perfect in its balance, every flower bed perfectly maintained.
It was beautiful, but there was something polished about its perfection, something that lacked the natural charm of the small garden outside Hailey's apartment.
"Even if there was someone," Eric said, his back still turned to Victoria, "I don't see how that would concern you."
Victoria was quiet for a moment, and when she spoke again, her voice was softer, more genuine.
"I care about you, Eric," she said. "I know things have been complicated between us, but you're still important to me."
Eric turned to face her.
"I know," he said quietly. "And I appreciate that. But some things are better kept private."
Victoria nodded, seeming to accept his answer.
"Fair enough," she said, standing up and smoothing down her dress. "But if you ever want to talk about it, I'm here."
She moved toward the door, then paused and turned back to him.
"Actually, there was another reason I came by," she said. "I was hoping you would join me for dinner tonight. There's a new restaurant downtown that's supposed to be excellent."
Eric hesitated, his mind immediately going to Hailey and whether she would be expecting to see him at work.
"I'm not sure," he said. "I might have plans."
Victoria's smile faltered slightly.
"With your mysterious lady friend?" she asked. "Come on, it's just dinner, Eric. Between old friends."
Eric found himself nodding before he could think better of it.
"Okay," he said. "Dinner sounds nice."
Victoria's smile returned, bright and genuine.
"Wonderful," she said. "I'll make a reservation for seven."
"Okay," Eric said, already wondering what he had gotten himself into.
Victoria kissed his cheek before leaving, the familiar scent of her perfume lingering in the air long after she was gone.
Eric stood in the empty morning room, staring at the perfectly arranged flowers on the side table and trying to understand why he felt so conflicted.
A few months ago, he would have been thrilled by Victoria's invitation, would have spent hours planning what to wear and what to say.
Now, all he could think about was Hailey's laugh and the way she had looked at him in the dim light of her bedroom.