Throwing the rag into the bucket, Lena leaned against the windowsill. Dizziness and nausea made it hard to work. She sat down on a chair to catch her breath. Why had she rushed to wash these windows when her pregnancy hardly let her live? Looking through the clean glass at the washed curtains, Lena smiled. … Read more
Part 1 Marina flew down the street as if on wings, her heart overflowing with joy from unexpected freedom. A spring breeze playfully tousled her hair, and the sun gently touched her skin. She decided to surprise her mother-in-law, Anna Petrovna, and visit her unannounced. Approaching the old Khrushchev-era building, Marina paused for a moment. … Read more
Just over a year had passed since Olya disappeared from Nikita’s life. Time had not erased her from his memory, but he learned to live on, gradually getting used to the thought that he might never see his wife again. With each new day, the hope of finding Olga melted away like snow… To soothe … Read more
Son, maybe you should stay here after all?” a charming brunette woman tried to convince the man sitting in the chair. “Managing such a business isn’t easy. Not to mention, the owners are unlikely to sell a well-functioning asset.” “Mom, why are you worrying? I’m already thirty years old, and you act like I’m a … Read more
Natalya slammed the door loudly. From early morning, she had a premonition that the day would go wrong. Lusya, her 19-year-old daughter, had recently brought home a kitten named Musya, who had already managed to make a mess right on the bathroom mat. It was hard for Natalya to scold her daughter for this since … Read more
Please, Andryusha, just for a month! I swear I’ll find a job and move out,” Sveta pleaded, fiddling with her worn handbag as she looked at her brother. “Why should I?” Andrei leaned against the door frame, arms crossed. “When we divided Grandma’s apartment, you didn’t think about how Marina and I have been bouncing … Read more
When the younger son got married, the older children had long since moved out—the daughter married and moved to Yekaterinburg with her husband, and the son went to work in the North. Sveta always knew that the older kids wouldn’t stay in the village for long—the daughter loved the glamorous life, spent her childhood plastering … Read more
Victoria noticed how her mother’s hand trembled while setting plates for Sunday lunch. It was their tradition—to gather together once a week, although it became increasingly difficult to force a smile. Especially when her stepfather turned every meeting into a silent battle. “Dear,” Andrei theatrically adjusted the very tie, “please pass the salt. You know, … Read more
Margarita had long sensed that this day would come, but when it did, she was still taken aback. She stood there, not knowing what to do next. Roman, her husband, just shrugged: “You’re not fifteen to be asking such questions. It’s time for you to figure things out on your own.” “So, I have to … Read more
Mom, Svetlana told me everything,” Victor tried to speak calmly, but it was a huge struggle for him. “I warned you.” However, Nina Vasilievna could sense her son’s true mood even through the phone. “Your Svetlana is exaggerating!” the woman tried to defend herself. “Nothing terrible happened.” “I asked you to stay away from Svetka!” … Read more