Page 5 of Little Bitter Truths
Her gaze dropped to the floor just as I thought I’d spotted tears in her eyes.Then she looked up like nothing had happened.“The split between Wren and Cooper was amicable, as far as I know.”
“As far as youknow?”I asked.
“We talked about it,” she added, as if my pointed emphasis bothered her.“Wren said nothing major happened.She said they’d just grown apart over the last year.”
“Did she say why?”
“Wren felt it was because they didn’t spend enough time together.He had his thing.She had hers.One day she woke up and realized they were living separate lives, and she’d fallen out of love with him.”
I watched for a reaction, for a hint of bitterness toward Cooper or sympathy for Wren.I detected neither.
“And Cooper?”I asked.“How did he take it?”
“Not well, which makes me think it wasn’t as amicable as Wren had suggested.I believe he wanted to save the marriage.”
“Have you spoken to him since they split?”
“A couple of times.He called and asked me if there was anything I could do on my end to help change her mind.He said he’d do anything to save the relationship.”
Anything to save it.
That was useful.
It didn’t make him guilty, but it made me want to have a conversation with him.
“What did you tell him?”I asked.
“I said I’d talk to her, but I knew it wouldn’t matter.”
“Why’s that?”
“When my sister made a decision, it was made.There was no changing her mind.”
Interesting.
“Did Wren have any enemies?”I asked.“Or was there anyone she argued with in recent months?”
“I don’t believe so.”
“How would you describe her?”
Mia went quiet a moment, giving the question some thought.“Wren was kind, compassionate, and loyal to a fault.I’ve always been envious of her, if I’m being honest.”
“Why?”
“I’m the opposite in every way, more reclusive and quiet, preferring to keep to myself than make friends, or entertain the idea of dating or having a boyfriend.It’s hard for me to let others in.It’s the reason I started therapy.”
Her honesty surprised me.
“How long have you been going?”I asked.
“When I left my last job, my boss said I could have gotten a lot farther in the company if I hadn’t been so rigid.I started to wonder if other people in my life felt the same way about me.I talked to Wren about it, and she thought the therapy was a good idea, so I went.”
“How’s it going?”
“It’s all right.I’m learning a few new things about myself.”She paused, then said, “Before, I said I’d asked my sister to house-sit because I didn’t trust someone I didn’t know with Coco, and that’s true.”
“Is there another reason?”
