The closer the wedding day came, the gloomier Illya became. Mila couldn’t understand what had happened to him. Maybe he had changed his mind, and like her, began to feel guilty toward his friend? He was tender with her, caring for Vanechka, and everything seemed fine on the surface. But Mila felt that something was … Read more
The Severny market bustled with life every morning, as if driven by an invisible engine: vendors called out to customers, students haggled over the price of tangerines, loaders cursed under their breath while heaving sacks of potatoes. But on that particular April Thursday, the usual buzz had turned edgy, as if the very air had … Read more
The day at the office began as usual. Some were drinking coffee, some were anxiously checking the clock, counting how much time was left before they could leave, while others got to work to stand out in front of the boss. By the way, the company was led by Yuri Timofeevich, a young and cocky … Read more
The sun was barely breaking through the kitchen window when Olga was already bustling around the house. The morning greeted her with the usual silence, only interrupted by the mumbling of the television from her mother-in-law’s room. Olga straightened the tablecloth, brushed off invisible crumbs from the table, and opened the fridge. Eggs, milk, cottage … Read more
— Lyudmila Sergeyevna, please at least eat something,” the young woman said softly, looking at her mother-in-law with worry. “I just can’t, Ninochka, truly I can’t. Just the thought of food makes me feel ill,” the elderly woman sighed, shaking her head. Nina sat down beside her mother-in-law on the sofa. “You can’t do … Read more
Vadim, with utmost caution, like a professional thief, inserted the key into the lock. The mechanism made a nasty screeching sound, as if deliberately trying to attract the attention of everyone in the house. The man froze in place, listening intently. In response, there was only the deathly silence. “That was close,” he exhaled with … Read more
A phone call shattered the morning silence so unexpectedly that Natasha jumped. The screen displayed the name: “Aunt Lyuba.” — “Natashenka!” an excited voice came from the other end of the line. “Can you imagine, we’re coming to your country house!” Her cup of coffee froze mid-air. Aunt Lyuba was the very one who had … Read more
Ludmila sat at the kitchen table, nervously tapping a spoon on the rim of a cup of cooling tea. Her eyes, narrowed from perpetual dissatisfaction, followed as Marina loaded boxes into the car outside. “That’s it,” she thought, “finally this upstart has been removed from my boy’s life.” Alexey stood by the car with his … Read more
Sofya set a vase of flowers on the table and critically examined the result. Everything was perfect. A pristine white tablecloth, crystal glasses, expensive champagne in a silver bucket with ice. In the kitchen, a duck with apples was baking in the oven, and in the refrigerator sat desserts from the city’s best patisserie. And … Read more
— And what, now I’m supposed to walk around hungry?” Leo exclaimed in indignation, feeling his anger boiling inside him. “— Of course not,” Anna replied calmly. “You can go to the store, buy some groceries, and make yourself a dinner. Or order delivery. You do have money.” “— Is this some kind of … Read more