We spent fourteen years married. The apartment had belonged to Oleg long before our wedding, so I never really saw it as mine. I worked as a clothing alterations specialist at a studio—hemming pants, replacing zippers, fitting dresses, and reworking curtains. Oleg was a shift manager at a warehouse and made significantly more money than … Read more
“It’s just unnatural, Polina. Your salary is way too high for a woman who spends all day at home in stretched-out sweatpants.” Tamara Ilinichna took a sip of tea from a delicate porcelain cup and looked at her daughter-in-law with clear disapproval. The mother-in-law sat at the kitchen table with perfect posture, dressed in a … Read more
“From now on, you’ll be cooking for my mother every day,” Vadim declared, dropping his fork onto the linen napkin as if he were announcing an order of national importance. — From now on, you’ll be cooking for my mother every day, — Vadim declared, dropping his fork onto the linen napkin as if reading … Read more
Take Care of Your Son Yourself! — Well then, you and your dear son can take care of him however you see fit! I’m tired of you constantly telling me what to do in my own house, Alevtina Viktorovna! I am not your personal maid! Not yours, and not your son’s! — Igor, did you … Read more
I’m not going on vacation with your parents and your sister and her kids! This was supposed to be our time together! Why should I spend my personal vacation giving tours to your parents or sharing a hotel room with them? Why should I have to babysit your nieces and nephews while your sister goes … Read more
— Why are you home so early today? Did your mom get to you again? Oleg barely had time to take off his jacket before he noticed Lena in the kitchen. She sat at the table, still in her work clothes—jeans and a dark sweater—with her hair messy and her face gray from exhaustion. Next … Read more
Andrei was turning this way and that in front of the large mirror in the hallway. The dark navy fabric of his expensive suit fit him perfectly. Nadya stood a little farther away. She adjusted the collar of her simple pistachio-colored dress. “They look fine, Andrei.” “In my business, people judge you by your appearance.” … Read more
Sveta, you understand that Mom has a hard time living on her own. So we’ll sell your country house, and that’s it—the problem is solved.” Andrei stood by the kitchen window with a cup of tea and said it so calmly, as though he were suggesting they take out the trash. Not, “Let’s discuss it,” … Read more
Let’s be realistic, he absolutely doesn’t need all-wheel drive in the city. It’s just paying extra for nothing.” Nelli Kondratyevna sat at the dining table, methodically running an expensive fountain pen over a glossy brochure from a car dealership. “Mom, our winters are pretty snowy,” Oleg tried to object. He leaned one shoulder against the … Read more
Kick me out? Fine. But first explain whose apartment this is,” I said, placing the envelope on the table. Darina Iosifovna fell silent. Not because she was frightened. She simply hadn’t expected it. She was used to me keeping quiet. Nodding. Leaving the room whenever she raised her voice. That was exactly what I had … Read more