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Chapter 1. The Shadow Player Kira had learned to be inconspicuous. Her wardrobe consisted of simple items—beige sweaters, modest trousers, and minimalist earrings. She didn’t object when her husband dismissively introduced her as an “unemployed but thrifty” wife. She didn’t argue when he claimed in front of friends that “women aren’t cut out for business.” … Read more

Alice was returning home late in the evening, hurrying along a deserted, dark street. She had spent nearly the entire day in the library, absorbed in writing her term paper, which was due the following week. So wrapped up was she in her studies that she hadn’t noticed how quickly time had flown by. Now … Read more

Lera stood at the kitchen table, watching as Katya in another room diligently colored her favorite animals in an album. Her five-year-old daughter was so engrossed in the process that she wouldn’t notice what her mother was doing. Lera smiled and returned to her thoughts. However, an inner voice kept reminding her of a fear—a … Read more

A small town in the Urals. Narrow streets, old houses with peeling paint, gray five-story apartment buildings lining the only wide road. Right in the middle of this modest landscape stood Lena’s house—a wooden, two-story building with a crooked fence. She had inherited it from her grandmother. Though it was in poor condition, it had … Read more

This day was supposed to be one of the happiest. Vlad had thought everything through to the last detail. His bride deserved the very best. Although Alina always said that their love was what mattered most, he wanted to surround her with a real fairy tale. She deserved the best engagement and wedding. After all, … Read more

Natalia, my friends from Bulgaria will arrive soon. Remember I told you they’d stay with us for a few days?” said the mother-in-law, approaching Natalia, who was working on the computer. The young woman lifted her tired gaze from the monitor, smiled meekly, and nodded. She was exhausted, and she hadn’t even finished the designs … Read more

In the complete silence of the room, the phone emitted a short beep, illuminating the ceiling with a cold blue light. It was two in the morning. Larisa carefully reached for the nightstand, trying not to disturb her husband, but Viktor had already propped himself up on his elbow, his eyes wide open. “Who writes … Read more

Victoria stared at yet another unpaid bill spread out on the kitchen table. She automatically adjusted a stray lock of hair and sighed heavily. In the next room, Artem enthusiastically described his new project—an online self-development course—to someone over the phone. “Imagine, it’s simply revolutionary!” his excited statement reached her. Victoria bitterly smiled. Over five … Read more

Darling, my friends are inviting me on a trip to Astrakhan. It’s only for a couple of weeks. I’ve cleared it at work, but how are things at home? There’ll be tents, fishing…I haven’t caught anything in ages,” Mikhail began the conversation with Irina one evening. The couple had gotten married a year ago, and … Read more

— He’s just a horrible person, Mom. He hates us!” “— Hush, daughter. He might hear…” Anna was seven when Viktor appeared in their lives like a thick shadow that blotted out all light. At first, that shadow seemed cozy—like shelter from the heat. He was a tall man with eyes the color of cold … Read more