Olga knew all too well what poverty was. Her father had left their family long ago when she was just seven years old. Years later, she wondered what had caused it. Perhaps it was because her mother had been his “youthful mistake.” They got together when they were both seventeen during a summer of beaches … Read more
Denis decisively pushed the plate of borscht away from himself and, with an indifferent, careless tone, as if even solemnly, announced: — Svetlana, I’m leaving you! The words shocked the 45-year-old woman so unexpectedly that she dropped the cup she was holding, which shattered into pieces as it hit the tiled floor. Svetlana looked at … Read more
Tanja, why do you always scream so loudly!” Marinka burst out laughing, and her friend Valya joined in. It was hurtful to the point of tears. Tanya had been working here for over six months, and her colleagues constantly teased her. Understanding why Marina and Valya had chosen her as their target, Tanya could not … Read more
Sweetie, take Lenochka with you to the south,” the mother asked her older daughter to take her younger sister on the trip. “Mom, your Lenochka behaves too boldly. Besides, I’m going with my husband, why do I need an extra woman there?” Vika snapped. “But you are sisters. And you are older, you should help … Read more
Finally finishing cleaning, Lisa looked around the apartment one more time and let out a satisfied sigh. She had been meaning to do a thorough cleaning for a while but never got around to it. Stanislav had been disappearing at work all weekend lately, having received a small promotion, and Lisa found things to do … Read more
Mom and sister settled in well: when grandma started getting in the way at their apartment, they evicted her to my place, and now that my sister needs a nanny for her child, they demand her back. It feels like they’re talking not about a living person, but about a piece of furniture. My mom … Read more
Andrey, a young chef with great talent and even greater ambitions, always dreamed of freedom. He wanted to create, try new things, and break rules. However, working in a prestigious restaurant, where at first glance everything was provided: a good salary, a famous name, and an audience willing to pay any amount for dinner, turned … Read more
The house was warm and cozy, with logs quietly crackling in the stove, a favorite TV show playing, and a blizzard howling outside. Antonina, an elderly woman and former local paramedic, comfortably settled in an old, worn chair, watched the movie and stroked her cat, Vasily, curled up on her lap. Suddenly, there was a … Read more
I need a caregiver with a degree in psychotherapy to be around my daughter 24 hours a day. I have a well-appointed country house with excellent living conditions. You will be provided with full comfort, but during the three-month probationary period, you will not have a single day off. A generous salary will compensate for … Read more
The night was unusually dark, and Elena couldn’t sleep. A sudden creak at the door made her freeze. She glanced at the clock—it was three in the morning. Who could come at such an hour? Through the silence, short, neat knocks were heard. Elena held her breath and tiptoed to the door, trying not to … Read more