— 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
The morning hustle in the office of “Grand-Ver” was in full swing. Employees hurried about their business, talking to one another and running from the elevators to their offices. No one paid any attention to the young woman of about twenty-five who calmly entered the lobby and looked around. “Alright, Anya, it’s time to act,” … Read more
Valya, have you already made the mortgage payment? Today is the final deadline,” Denis said without even looking up from his phone as he continued scrolling through the news feed. “Yes, as usual. Ninety-two thousand. And, as always, it was charged to my card,” replied Valentina as she set a cup of coffee in front … Read more
Maria stood in the middle of the living room, silently surveying her surroundings. Everything looked foreign—even the walls on which she had once lovingly hung photographs. Now they were empty. Only hooks and the traces left by frames remained. In the corner were several boxes, fitting twenty years of her life. And now her husband … Read more
Svetlana realized she wouldn’t be able to carry all her purchases by herself. The market day had been so successful that she hadn’t restrained herself and had bought a huge amount of fruit. The shopping was done—but how to get it all home? She’d have to take a taxi. Pushing through the crowd, she searched … Read more