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Friday evening promised to be pleasant. Around fifteen friends, maybe even more, had gathered in Ilya and Nadezhda’s apartment. The table was covered with appetizers, bottles of wine passed from hand to hand, and the conversations grew louder and livelier with every minute. “Remember how Ilyukha danced at his wedding?” Maxim, an old friend of … Read more

There was barely enough room at the long dining table for all the expensive dishes and all the self-satisfaction gathered around it. Vika placed a porcelain soup tureen in front of her mother-in-law and stepped back, tucking a loose strand of hair back into her hairstyle. Andrey’s guests — his mother, Elvira Karlovna, his sister … Read more

“Did you really think I would sign the documents without asking any questions?” Victoria slowly placed the folder on the kitchen table and lifted her eyes to her husband. “It’s just a formality,” Artyom snapped irritably. “We’ve already discussed everything.” “Then why does it say here that the apartment will belong entirely to you?” For … Read more

“You are obligated to help your mother! Her pension is tiny!” Artyom snapped in outrage right in the middle of the family dinner, slamming his palm on the table so hard the dishes rattled. Elena slowly set down her fork and looked first at her mother, then at her brother. Tamara Pavlovna nervously twisted a … Read more

The river was heavy today, the color of lead. Vadim liked the water like this — when it didn’t flirt with the sun, but honestly revealed its deep, gloomy nature. He wiped an oil stain from the cover of the rescue boat’s engine with an old rag. The smell of gasoline and river mud was … Read more

“Andrey, for God’s sake, look at me. I can barely stand,” Nadezhda said quietly, almost in a whisper, trying to keep her voice soft and homely. She sat down on the edge of the sofa, awkwardly tucking her legs beneath her, as if she were afraid to take up too much space in her own … Read more

Part 1. The Dressing Room of Mirror Illusions The stuffy dressing room smelled of hairspray, cheap brandy, and someone else’s success. Roman, a mediocre event host whose ambitions were far bigger than his talent, spun in front of the mirror. He adjusted his bow tie, brushed invisible dust from the lapels of his jacket, and … Read more

“Ira, here’s the thing,” Artyom said, placing his cup on the table and sitting down across from her, leaning forward slightly. “I need you to do me a favor. Register my sister in your apartment. As family. As a decent human thing to do.” Ira slowly finished washing the last plate and dried her hands. … Read more

When Nadezhda opened the gate on Friday evening, people were already arguing inside the house. Not shouting at the top of their lungs, the way they sometimes did on Sundays over money or Zhanna’s shopping, but speaking in low, careful voices — with that busy, businesslike urgency people get before doing something unpleasant and profitable. … Read more

“I sold my house and I’m moving in with you,” the groom’s mother announced two days before the wedding. Alina slowly lowered her cup onto the table and looked carefully at Galina Stepanovna. The cup touched the saucer almost soundlessly, but Igor still flinched as if something heavy had slammed into the room. “With us?” … Read more