Hailey stood motionless in the apartment, her feet surrounded by the broken pieces of the couple mugs.
The ceramic fragments caught the soft evening light filtering through the windows.
Eric's arms were still wrapped around her from behind, but his breathing had become deep and regular.
"Eric?" Hailey whispered tentatively.
No response.
He had fallen asleep standing up, his body heavy against her back, his face buried in her hair.
She could feel his tears dampening her shirt.
"Victoria," Eric mumbled in his sleep. "Victoria..."
Hailey's eyes closed in pain.
Even unconscious, he was still calling for her.
Very carefully, Hailey began to remove herself from his embrace.
She moved slowly, afraid that any sudden motion might wake him and force her to confront the truth of what had just happened.
When his arms finally fell away from her, Eric swayed dangerously before stumbling back toward the couch.
