Victoria woke up at half past six—as always, without an alarm or delays. Outside the window, a gray strip of dawn was barely visible, and the house already demanded attention. The coffee maker started as usual, filling the kitchen with the aroma of freshly brewed coffee. The woman mechanically took out three cups: for herself, … Read more
Darya was coming back from work in a stuffy minibus when her neighbor, Valentina Ivanovna, sat down next to her and began excitedly sharing some news. “Your mother-in-law has a brand-new car!” the woman exclaimed, adjusting the bag on her lap. “A beautiful one, silver. Yesterday I saw your Egor handing her the keys. What … Read more
I was standing by the kitchen window, mechanically stirring the borscht when Andrey came back from his mother’s. I immediately saw from his face—the conversation hadn’t gone the way we hoped. He went to the table, sat down, rested his elbows on the countertop, and rubbed his temples. “Well?” I asked, although I already guessed … Read more
Lena stood by the window of her empty apartment and looked out at the yard where her children used to play. Now Misha was twenty years old, working in St. Petersburg, and Katya was eighteen, studying at university. The apartment seemed huge and uncomfortable without their laughter, without the constant running around, without the pile … Read more
Anna placed the last blouse into a beautiful new suitcase and smiled contentedly. The long-awaited trip to Turkey was very close now—only a week left. She was already imagining the warm sea, golden sand, and cocktails at sunset. Sergey was also in high spirits, constantly studying guidebooks and making plans for each day of their … Read more
A call from my mother caught me while I was working on reports at the office. She never called during work hours—she knew I was busy. Her voice sounded uncertain, as if she herself didn’t quite know what to ask. “Anyuta, I have a delicate matter to discuss with you…” I put down my pen … Read more
A summer Friday evening promised to be calm, but Alexander came home with a peculiar expression on his face. Tatiana immediately noticed the tension in his movements, his unusual restlessness. “Tanya, we’re having guests today,” her husband announced, taking off his shirt. “Mom is coming, and Maxim too.” “At this hour?” Tatiana was surprised, glancing … Read more
The blue car parked at the familiar entrance with usual confidence. Vladimir Nikolaevich turned off the engine and looked back at his wife. “Lyudochka, don’t forget the jam for the grandchildren,” reminded the father-in-law, pulling heavy bags of groceries from the trunk. Lyudmila Ivanovna nodded, adjusting her summer dress. The July sun was mercilessly scorching, … Read more
Just a week ago, on a warm, sunlit Sunday, Victoria, gathering her thoughts and courage, finally decided to tidy up the attic — the very same place where, over the years, things had been set aside; at first, it was too painful to forget them, and later there simply was no time to sort through … Read more
“Seven million four hundred thousand,” Orlov, the general director, said. His voice was so steady and emotionless that it sounded less like a number being read aloud and more like a sentence being passed. There was no anger, no sympathy — only emptiness. And it was precisely that which made his words especially terrifying. He … Read more