Arkady Petrovich absentmindedly drew crosses in his notebook, trying to turn them into some kind of pattern. Inside, there was emptiness and longing. From the laptop screen, his loyal dog—a Ca de Bou named Azart—was looking at him. Azart was a gift from his best friend Andrey, who had left many years ago to serve … Read more
Elizaveta Andreevna was walking down a deserted street toward the train station, clutching her bag tightly to her chest. It was early morning — the city was just waking up, but to her, everything around seemed frozen, as if submerged in aquarium water. Rare passersby, rare cars, even the pigeons on the sidewalk — all … Read more
— So, you won’t help your husband’s own mother? — No, I won’t. Not only did you decide to celebrate your birthday in our apartment without my consent, but you also didn’t warn me in advance. I’m not going to change my plans just because you want to, — Lena said, crossing her arms over … Read more
— Well… you understand… I wanted to ask if you have received your salary? Of course, I did. As always — on the fifteenth. As always — I sent money to Mom for utilities and medicine, paid off part of the car loan, topped up the fund for the trip to Italy I’ve been dreaming … Read more
“Nina Arkadyevna,” Marina said calmly, “you forgot to pay.” “Oh, come on,” she smiled. “We’re family! You don’t think I’d take money from my relatives, do you?” Marina always had a strong-willed character. Even when she and Vadim started dating, she was the one who initiated the wedding. She knew what she wanted in life—and … Read more
No one ever took Agafya under their wing. And who needed her — so unfinished? Her face was okay, even considered rather pretty, but she didn’t grow tall — just a little over a meter. And most importantly — she was skinny like a willow branch. Thin, almost childlike figure — what kind of housewife … Read more
“My God! I didn’t come here for nothing — I wanted to help you pick the perfect dress!” exclaimed the mother-in-law loudly, her voice trembling with indignation. “What do you look like now? This… this is just an absolute absurdity, not a bride’s outfit! Where is the luxury? Where is the sparkle? Where is the … Read more
Every evening, when the last rays of the sun painted the sky in golden and pink hues, Anastasia would go to the embankment. There, where the fresh wind tickled the skin of her face and the scent of the river mingled with the city air, she found refuge for her soul. Sitting on an old … Read more
“Andrey, promise me… promise you won’t abandon Larisa,” Nina whispered from the bed, her voice weak but full of pleading. “You know how fragile her health is. She needs constant care… You understand how difficult it is, but I’m so afraid she won’t manage alone. You will be her guardian for another two years… Please, … Read more
After the divorce from her husband and the division of the apartment, Ksenia had to settle almost on the outskirts of the city. She got a two-room apartment that had hardly ever been renovated. At least, that was Ksenia’s first impression. But she was one of those women who aren’t scared of anything—hardened by family … Read more