Lera, not those blueprints again! My mom already made the decision,” Dmitry waved dismissively without even glancing at the plans laid out on the table. Valeria sighed and let her hands fall to her sides. Yet another attempt to convince her husband had failed. An architect with honors, she sat before the project of their … Read more
— “What is that supposed to be?” Valera pushed his dinner plate away, grimacing as though he’d found something inedible rather than stew. — “Stew,” Kseniya looked up from her own serving, surprised. “The same one I’ve made dozens of times before. Is something wrong?” — “The meat’s tough,” Valera shook his head. “And there … Read more
Vera was sitting on the edge of the bed, sorting through the children’s clothes that she had recently dumped out of the closet. It was time to update her daughter’s wardrobe. She was growing so fast, and most of her clothes were already too small. Time flew like sand slipping through one’s fingers… too quickly … Read more
Olya came to after an excruciating headache. With great effort, she managed to pry her eyes open, and she had no idea where she was or how she had ended up there. Her memories seemed to have been wiped clean. Pitch darkness surrounded her, and nearby, sounds could be heard. These cries cut through her … Read more
Alexey stopped the car. How many times had he planned, intended to come, but never found the time? While his mother was alive, he wasn’t around—and after she was gone, it was no different. The memories filled him with disgust toward himself. All it took was a little shake for him to realize that the … Read more
— Dima, let’s call it quits. Five years of marriage, and I still can’t conceive a child. Why torture each other? I don’t want someone else’s children. Surrogacy is not for us. We wasted our time and money on IVF. — I think the same, Lena, that all of this is useless. Love alone is … Read more
On Saturdays, Ksenia hated having to get up early. She longed to spend a well-deserved rest after an exhausting work week, wrapped in a warm blanket and enjoying some peace. However, the phone vibrated relentlessly on the bedside table, yanking her from the embrace of sweet sleep. — What now? — she mumbled, groping along … Read more
Olga sat on the steps of her house, stroking the worn wooden railing and feeling the pain in her back from the long hours of work in the garden growing sharper. Raising her eyes, she heard her daughter’s voice. — Mom! Where are you? Olga sighed heavily, slowly got up, slightly straightening her aching back, … Read more
Sofya adjusted the photograph on the wall—a simple wooden frame, inside which was the very first photo taken in her own apartment. Twelve years ago, right after the purchase, when there was not yet any furniture. Sofya was sitting on the window sill, happy, with the keys in her hand. — “Are you adjusting it … Read more
Elena Andreevna was staring intently at the features of her son’s face. “What’s happening to you, Maximka? You have helped so many regain their health, yet you do not strive to get well yourself?” she mused. Maxim lay motionless, his eyelids tightly closed. His face remained completely serene, not a single muscle betraying any emotion. … Read more