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“Either you forgive the affair, or you leave,” Igor said—he didn’t even push his plate away. “Say that again.” “You forgive it—we live together. You don’t—you pack up and go to my mom’s. I’m sick of the interrogations.” “With who?” “Katya from my department. It was nothing. It happened. You’re always buried in reports anyway.” … Read more

Lena gripped the steering wheel tighter, trying not to pay attention to the grumbling from the passenger seat. Galina Petrovna, her mother-in-law, had been in a bad mood since morning. “Again you took this bumpy road!” the old woman grimaced, staring out the window. “As if there aren’t other routes!” “Mom, it’s shorter this way,” … Read more

The doorbell rang at the exact moment I was unpacking the last box of dishes. Three years after the divorce, and finally—my own little corner. A small but cozy two-bedroom on the fourteenth floor of a new apartment complex. A view of the park, morning light in the bedroom, and the silence I’d missed so … Read more

The security guard looked at Elena as if she’d shown up to a formal celebration in ripped jeans—not in a sharp suit, holding a box of antique porcelain. “Prokhorova Elena Viktorovna?” he ran a finger down his tablet. “You’re not on the list.” Behind him, through the slightly open doors of the Astoria banquet hall, … Read more

Olga stood by the window, staring out at the wet November courtyard where the wind chased yellow leaves along the fence. In the reflection on the glass, she could see her own face—pale, with dark circles under her eyes. Thirty-two years old, but she looked forty. She’d been meaning to fix her teeth for ages; … Read more

“Zhen, haven’t you ever thought…” Katya began, choosing her words carefully as she stirred the cooling tea in her cup with a spoon. “We’ve been together for almost two years. We live together. That’s still a stretch of time. Maybe it’s time we… made it official?” They were sitting in her kitchen—cozy and bright—where every … Read more

Olga was scrolling through reports on her tablet when Maksim burst through the door with a crash. One look at his face made it clear—something had happened. He didn’t even take off his shoes; he stopped right on the threshold, and his voice cut through the apartment’s silence. “How dare you block my sister’s card?” … Read more

Galina was standing by the mailbox, flipping through the papers. The usual routine—utility bills, ads, some certificates. Then she stopped at an envelope from Rosreestr. Strange. They hadn’t filed anything. She opened it. Read it. Read it again. Her world turned upside down. “Seryozha!” she shouted, bursting into the apartment. “Seryozha, where are you?” Her … Read more

Anna stood in the entryway with a suitcase in her hand, as if struck by lightning. Her business trip to Novosibirsk had ended three days early—the contract had been signed faster than expected. She decided not to call Igor; she wanted to surprise him. And now… the surprise was hers. An unfamiliar burgundy coat hung … Read more

Staring at that computer again! Normal women go to work, but you sit here pretending to be busy. Sergey busts his back to feed you, and you’re just playing games!” Klavdiya Petrovna swept through the kitchen so hard the cupboard doors rattled. Veronika didn’t lift her eyes from the screen. The quarterly report had to … Read more