Nastya laid out another of Danila’s shirts on the bed and carefully hung it in the wardrobe. He had more clothes than she expected, but there was still enough space. “Where should I put your books?” Nastya asked, holding a stack of technical literature in her hands. “On the top shelf, if you don’t mind,” … Read more
“You will become the brightest star, the most gifted of all. They will notice you—your name will shine from every poster.” Sophia sobbed quietly, burying her face in the blanket that covered her father’s frail body. His hand, weak yet still warm, slipped through her hair with a tender touch. “Don’t cry, my girl,” he … Read more
“Gena, have you really thought this through?” “Mom…” “I know what I’m saying. She’s only with you for the money, isn’t she?” Gennady let out a weary sigh. “Mom, I understand your worries, but they’re completely unfounded. Arguing with you is pointless—you won’t change your opinion anyway. Think what you want. We’re not planning anything … Read more
Alina carefully held the knife over the cutting board. She needed to slice carrots for the borscht, but her hands trembled slightly with tension. “You’re cutting it all wrong,” Nina Petrovna came up from behind and took the knife away. “Watch closely how it should be done. In thin strips, like this.” “Sorry, I didn’t … Read more
The next day, closer to noon, Galina was standing by the stove making herself a light soup. She had planned to spend the day peacefully, without unnecessary conversations, but the doorbell shattered that quiet. At first she thought it might be a neighbor asking for salt or a delivery courier, but when she peeked through … Read more
“The apartment obviously stays with me. The cars, too,” my husband Kirill’s voice cut like a knife, bouncing off the polished walls of the attorney’s office. He wasn’t speaking to me but to my representative—a young man in a perfectly tailored suit, who until that moment had only silently nodded along. “I’ll toss you a … Read more
“Inna, I’ve prepared a surprise for you, my dear!” Her mother-in-law uttered strange—hence frightening—words. “I know you simply adore surprises! And this one you’ll definitely love!” Inna looked skeptically at her husband’s mother, who, for some unclear reason, was in an unusually cheerful mood. On top of that, she was dressed very oddly—in a white … Read more
I stand before the mirror, staring intently at my own reflection. Elizaveta Andreevna Korablyova, 30 years old, Director of Business Development at a major IT company. On paper — successful, strong, confident. Inside — exhaustion. Deep, years-old exhaustion. But today I’m just Liza. Liza from an ordinary neighborhood, without gloss, without status. I take off … Read more
Boris Sergeyevich, on his way to his business partner’s country house with his fiancée for a barbecue in honor of the holiday, stopped by the supermarket. Initially, he had planned to celebrate March 8th in a restaurant, but Anzhela, having learned about the invitation, persuaded him that a trip to the country house would not … Read more
“Sveta, are you home?” came the familiar Saturday morning phrase. “What is this? Again?” Svetlana reacted irritably, while tending to her beloved flowers in the yard. It was a scorching July. For several days the daytime temperature had hovered around 40°C, so one could only work in the garden either late in the evening or … Read more