Lena moved a tiny vase with a sprig of gypsophila to the center of the table to better see her mother-in-law’s face. Anastasia Ivanovna looked especially good today — her hair neatly styled, a string of pearls around her neck, a light shawl draped over her shoulders despite the warm weather. “Didn’t he tell you?” … Read more
Just rest, dear,” Stas’s sticky voice sounded overly caring. “A couple of weeks in a good sanatorium — and you’ll be fine again. You’ll regain your strength.” I tried to focus my gaze on my husband. My head was buzzing like it was stuffed with wet cotton. “I don’t want to go to a sanatorium,” … Read more
“Maria Andreevna, there’s a call for you,” the nurse peeks into the office, cautiously looking through the door. “Some woman, she says — urgent, family matter.” Maria barely tears herself away from the medical record. She’s been sitting with that folder for two hours already! Outside, it’s long since dark, and the ward is filled … Read more
Marina spent a long time looking through ads on the internet until she came across the perfect option. A small summer house about thirty kilometers from the city, with an eight-hundred-square-meter plot and an old but sturdy little cabin. The price was quite reasonable for their family budget. “Sergey, look!” she called to her husband, … Read more
Ekaterina Dmitrievna stood by the fresh grave, framed by a gray autumn sky and the bleak landscape of the cemetery. Yellow leaves swirled around her, torn from the trees by the cold wind and restlessly flying over the wet earth. It had been raining for several hours straight, but the woman didn’t notice how soaked … Read more
Natasha slowly ran her palm over her cheeks, wiping away the last tears. Her eyes still burned, and her heart ached from the deep wound left by the words of cruel people. She sighed and shifted her gaze to Lena—her old friend, the only person who always spoke the truth without sugarcoating. Lena sat at … Read more
— Arthur, I’m pregnant!” — she almost knocked her husband over, throwing herself around his neck. She was so eager to share the joyful news as soon as possible. He caught her but immediately pushed her away. It was then she noticed that strange look flicker in his eyes. — “Are you sure?” — he … Read more
Alice was hurrying home late in the evening along a dark and deserted street, feeling waves of fear. She had spent the entire day in the library, finishing a term paper that was due in a week. Immersed in intense study, the girl hadn’t noticed how time had quietly flown by. There was only a … Read more
Alina stood still in front of the bedroom mirror, adjusting the folds of her blue dress. The fabric gently hugged her figure, emphasizing her waist, and the deep cut on the back gave the look an elegant touch. Tomorrow was the corporate party at the advertising agency where she worked as an art director, and … Read more
The music playing in the club was so loud that it felt like it wasn’t just filling the room but literally pressing against my ears. The bass throbbed in my chest, making my heart beat in time with the rhythm, and it was even hard to think through the deafening noise. I stood in the … Read more