“Seriozha, for heaven’s sake, what is she wearing?” Tamara Pavlovna’s voice rang with a venomous sweetness she made no attempt to conceal. “That dress is from a flea market. I saw one just like it last Saturday at a reseller’s stall. At most — five hundred.” I quietly adjusted the collar of my blue dress … Read more
Marina shoved the dirty dishes into the dishwasher and turned on the express-wash mode. The Friday dinner had been a success: Igor devoured her signature mushroom pie with gusto. Even Nastya, who always wrinkled her nose at any dish “that upstart” cooked—as she called Marina behind her back—ate two slices. “I’m going to take a … Read more
Irina and Grigory divorced when their daughter Anya turned two years old. Grigory simply couldn’t live with his wife. She was always dissatisfied, angry. Sometimes she complained that Grisha earned too little, sometimes that he spent too little time at home and didn’t help her with the child at all. Grisha really tried to please … Read more
Margo was staring intently at the door. The day had come when she could settle scores with her husband. Her eyes gleamed with a malevolent fire. How long she had waited for this day… A whole 2 years. Finally, she heard the sound of the door opening, and her heart nearly leaped out of her … Read more
Andrey remembered that day with extraordinary clarity, as if it had happened just a few hours ago. The autumn wind, chilling to the bone, drove yellowed leaves across the asphalt, as if reminding of the approaching end of the year. In the pocket of his worn-out coat lay the last bun — the only food … Read more
Nicholas Miller had dreamed of luxury his entire life. Born in a small provincial town, he knew from an early age that he wanted more. His childhood was spent in a cramped apartment with noisy neighbors and a constant shortage of food. On TV, he saw houses with ocean views, expensive cars, carefree people—and Nicholas … Read more
On a stormy day, when the wind was knocking on the windows of the large Stepanov mansion as if reminding of the impending loneliness, an event occurred that not only changed the course of life for the wealthy widow but literally saved her from a bleak and joyless future. After the death of her husband … Read more
Madam, you don’t have a ticket. Please get off the bus,” the driver snapped, looking at the frail woman in the old coat who was barely clinging to the handrail to keep from falling. The bus was nearly empty. Outside, wet snow was falling slowly, and gray twilight had enveloped the city. She said nothing, … Read more
Tatiana gave birth to a child 5 days ago. She had a planned cesarean section. The young woman was gradually recovering after the birth. Her daughter Eva was a long-awaited first child. Tatiana and Sasha had been married for 7 years, and during those years Tatiana had three early miscarriages. When the couple lost hope … Read more
“Be careful with your words,” Angela said, addressing her husband without taking her eyes off the glass of champagne she slowly turned in her hands. Denis smiled — finally, his wife was paying attention to him. All evening she seemed not to notice his presence, even though he was the reason for the celebration. “I’m … Read more