Masha was afraid to meet her son’s fiancée — he had kept her hidden for far too long. Before, he wouldn’t even manage to kiss a girl once before dragging her home — like, “Mom, Dad, meet my Tanya (Lena, Marina, and after that Masha stopped keeping track).” Even when he left town to study, … Read more
Nina could not understand why her encounters with her former mother-in-law had become so frequent. She couldn’t just write it off as coincidence. Tamara Viktorovna seemed to be stalking her. Their first meeting happened a week ago. The woman herself approached her former daughter-in-law on the street when Nina was leaving the office and heading … Read more
Lika always tried to behave honestly. Most of the time she succeeded, but over time she came to understand a bitter truth: to treachery, one must respond either with cunning or cold indifference. Among her circle were people who shamelessly took advantage of her kind heart and connections but never once thanked her. And when … Read more
The wife and her lover called a taxi to secretly go to a cozy café on the outskirts of the city — a place where no one knew them, where they could just be two people hiding from the public eye. She was dressed neatly but tastefully, lightly made up, with a barely noticeable scent … Read more
The day Svetlana had dreamed about for many years had finally arrived. But instead of the expected relief, she felt her hands trembling nervously. Fifty-eight years old — is that not too late for a new life? That thought haunted her all morning. She scrutinized herself in the hallway mirror. A strict suit, minimal makeup, … Read more
Natasha carefully folded the tiny baby shirts into a bag and zipped up her purse. Tomorrow she would be discharged from the maternity hospital, and she could hardly wait for the moment when she would finally be home with little Masha. At forty-two years old, she was becoming a mother for the first time, and … Read more
I’m pregnant again, Zhenya joyfully announced to her parents at breakfast. I’m going to have a baby because children are such a happiness. What do you mean you’re pregnant, Maxim Nikolayevich choked on his scrambled eggs. Zhenya, your first child is growing up without a father and under our full care. Where do you expect … Read more
Twilight wrapped the city in a grayish haze. The wind, as if in anxious excitement, flitted through the streets, tearing the last leaves from the trees and restlessly scattering them across the sidewalks. This only heightened Arina’s inner tension as she walked alone down the nearly deserted street. Her soul felt dark and heavy. Thoughts … Read more
Kirill was in a big hurry today. It was already eight in the evening, and he hadn’t yet chosen a gift, bought flowers, or even changed clothes. Today was the birthday of his mother, Svetlana Eduardovna Krasilnikova. Many guests had gathered for the occasion. The celebration would take place at the country house of the … Read more
The light green curtain on the kitchen window fluttered softly in the gentle breeze. Outside the glass, irritated voices of Igor and Zhanna could be heard. Down in the yard, their children were playing on the playground — seven-year-old Kristina and ten-year-old Tolik. But every now and then, they glanced up sadly toward the windows … Read more