The sun was barely breaking through the kitchen window when Olga was already bustling around the house. The morning greeted her with the usual silence, only interrupted by the mumbling of the television from her mother-in-law’s room. Olga straightened the tablecloth, brushed off invisible crumbs from the table, and opened the fridge. Eggs, milk, cottage … Read more
Yana stared at the laptop screen, double-checking the numbers in the table. The last payment on the loan had been sent. Three years of monthly payments, strict budgeting, and constant side jobs had come to an end. The house was officially hers—fully paid off, with no encumbrances. Outside, the maple leaves rustled, gently swaying in … Read more
— Are you leaving garbage in the hallway again? — Artem stood in his coat, with a bag in his hand. — I’ve been at work all day, then I went to the store, and now I still have to clean up your mess? — The bin was full, I tied it up and put … Read more
Two years. Exactly two years since he’s no longer with us. Sveta stood by the window, gazing at the gray industrial landscape. The factory pipes released plumes of smoke into the sky, just like they did that day — the day everything collapsed. When the world turned upside down and split into “before” and “after.” … Read more
Vera sat by the window, absentmindedly watching the rare snowflakes lazily fall outside the glass. The room was filled with the scent of flowers—friends and acquaintances had brought armfuls of white roses, as if their sheer number could drown out her inner doubts. But the anxiety inside only grew stronger. “You’re happy, right?” came a … Read more
Katya opened the banking app and immediately closed it. It was unclear what she expected to see in her account, perhaps some New Year’s miracle. But no, the money was still scarce. Yes, she had received her salary a few days ago. But most of the money was already spent. She paid the utility bills … Read more
Is it that hard for you?” asked her husband. “It’s not hard!” Svetka replied. “Are you afraid of spending money?” “No, I’m not!” “Then what’s the problem?” “I don’t want to!” the girl replied, quoting the beloved professor Preobrazhensky when he was asked to donate magazines for the children of Germany. But they turned to … Read more
Tatiana watched sadly as the workers from the funeral agency tidied the grave—she had just said goodbye to her only close family member. Tatiana understood that it had not been easy for her grandmother to live with her illnesses and at such an age, but the tears still flowed relentlessly. Her grandmother had always hoped … Read more
Christina placed the cup on the table and calmly said: — I’m leaving, Alyosha. Silence fell in the room. Even the TV, which usually hummed in the background, seemed to go quiet, sensing the tension. Alexey slowly turned around, as if in slow motion. — Have you lost your mind? Who’s going to cook? — … Read more
Something’s wrong with me,” Lena said as she stood up from the table, clutching her right side and covering her mouth with her hand. “You always have some problem,” her husband, Boris, snorted, methodically working his spoon. The omelet on his plate was disappearing at the speed of light. “Better pour me some coffee. You’ll … Read more