ou wouldn’t throw your husband’s own mother out, would you?” The mother‑in‑law narrowed her eyes and cocked her head, as if scrutinizing Vera. Her voice was gentle—almost tender—but it made Vera uneasy. She was standing in the middle of the kitchen, the smell of dinner still hanging in the air. The mother‑in‑law had just finished a … Read more
I’ve taken two weeks’ vacation!” Igor sat at the table without lifting his eyes from his dinner plate, as if the conversation were routine. “I spoke to Mom today—she and Dad are coming the day after tomorrow. They’ll stay with us!” Galya froze, her fork halted midway to her mouth. Lowering her hand, she stared … Read more
— My God, who is this out in such a blizzard? — Anna threw back the blanket and shivered as a cold gust ran across her bare feet. The knock on the door came again—insistent, demanding. The wind outside howled like a wounded beast, battering snow against the windowpanes. — Ivan, wake up, — she … Read more
Quickly prepare the operating room!” someone barked, and the medics immediately wheeled in a stretcher through the wide doors of the military hospital. On it lay a soldier with his leg tightly bandaged. Young surgeon Katya immediately approached the stretcher. The paramedic from the ambulance, panting, reported: “Shrapnel wound to the leg, seems not too … Read more
God, please let everything go well,” Anzhela thought for the hundredth time, smoothing the creases in her new dress. The pale‑blue silk shimmered in the light of the setting sun. In a small box on the dressing table lay a brooch—the very one her mother‑in‑law had been harping on about for the past six months. … 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
— Are you sure you don’t need anything from the store? — Anna asked again. — No, no, just go already, — Boris waved her off. It seemed like he was in a rush to get her out. Anna sighed quietly. Lately, her husband had become noticeably irritable. But she chose to ignore it so … Read more
Coffee scorched my fingers through the thin cardboard cup, but even that discomfort couldn’t drown out the flutter inside me. “Masha, I’ve decided. Tomorrow I’m filing to register as a sole proprietor,” I leaned forward across the table toward my friend. “I’m going to help small businesses with financial planning.” Masha nearly choked on her … Read more
— Are you unfaithful to me?” he said, lowering his eyes and staring at the floor. She did not rush to answer. Silently, she approached the mirror, adjusted her earring, ran her fingertip over her lips, slightly smudging her lipstick. Then she turned toward him. “— And do you remember how you betrayed me yourself?” … Read more
Lena, did you forget to put sugar in the tea again?” Viktor’s voice was deliberately calm, but I already knew: it was about to begin. In the living room the conversations instantly died down. His mother averted her gaze, his sister buried herself in her phone, and his father began scrutinizing the pattern on the … Read more