The evening air was cool and damp, but inside the luxury car it smelled of overheated leather and Alexander’s expensive cologne. Elena sat in the passenger seat, clutching her handbag, a nameless anxiety swelling in her chest. Alexander had been silent almost the entire drive, and when they pulled up along a deserted embankment, he … Read more
Ethan Cross, architect of digital empires and lord of Silicon Valley, breathed the sterilized air of his own success. His world was built of glass, steel, and flawless algorithms, where everything had a price and every feeling a logical explanation. His personal Gulfstream G700 wasn’t just a plane; it was an extension of his office—a … Read more
Nastya placed a plane ticket in front of her husband. “What’s this?” Boris asked in surprise. “I’m flying out tomorrow. Departure at 8 a.m. You’ll drive me to the airport.” “Wait… Is this a business-class ticket? You bought an insanely expensive ticket… How dare you! Where did you get the money?!” “I asked your secretary … Read more
Friday evening thickened over the city, covering the tired streets with a bluish haze. Their apartment smelled of lemon balm—and of anxiety. Anna sat on the couch, legs tucked under her, arms wrapped around her noticeably rounded belly. The nausea that had been her constant companion for the last three months was especially persistent today. … Read more
Friday evening thickened over the city, covering the tired streets with a bluish haze. Their apartment smelled of lemon balm—and of anxiety. Anna sat on the couch, legs tucked under her, arms wrapped around her noticeably rounded belly. The nausea that had been her constant companion for the last three months was especially persistent today. … Read more
Yulia, remember this, please… you have to be careful,” her mother wasn’t just speaking. She was planting that feeling inside her, as if she already knew: it would hurt. Yulia didn’t argue. Not because she agreed. She just didn’t want to. She had no strength to discuss anything. The door slammed; she paused for a … Read more
Isabella Rossi looked like perfection incarnate. Too immaculate, too polished—like a person assembled by a curator with exquisite taste and a steady hand. When my son, David, brought her into our lives six months ago, the light in his face—blinding, boyish, unguarded—almost undid me. I wanted to like her. I tried with every scrap of … Read more
Natalya was hauling bags up to the fourth floor, cursing the broken elevator. The October rain had soaked through her jacket, and all she wanted was a hot shower and some peace. Working as an architect in a design bureau was draining—especially when clients changed plans at the last minute. The key turned in the … Read more
Elena was arranging kitchen towels on the shelves—brand-new ones with a delicate floral pattern—when her phone vibrated. She sighed: four missed calls from Katya, a friend from work. Probably some nonsense. Elena went back to the cabinet, but the phone started buzzing again. “Len, why aren’t you picking up?” Katya rattled off. “Do you know … Read more
And where are we supposed to sleep?” “Looks like almost everything’s ready,” Maya set her planner aside. There was very little time left before the wedding, and the to-do list that had seemed impossibly long had finally shrunk to a few items. “All that’s left is to pick up the dress and suit from the … Read more