A chilly autumn wind drove yellow leaves down the village street as Alina stepped off the bus. Her legs ached after the long journey, and her heart felt heavy—saying goodbye to her grandfather had been hard. She had barely taken a few steps from the stop when she heard a familiar, slightly hoarse voice: “Alinushka, … Read more
– Natasha, what are you thinking about? – Sveta nudged her friend with her shoulder. – Are you staring at Igor? Natasha blushed and smiled uncertainly. The answer was obvious, but she had no intention of sharing her feelings. She knew full well that her dreams of happiness with him were nothing but fantasies. They … Read more
Anna Sergeyevna, the documents are ready. Who will be accompanying you home?” the nurse asked gently, her eyes scanning the frail woman whose pale face was shadowed by dark circles. “I… I’ll manage on my own,” Anna replied, trying to sound confident. The nurse gave her a worried look. A week had passed since the … Read more
Alright, Viktor,” — the wife stood in the kitchen, looking at her husband with disdain. — “I have an important conversation. Don’t even think about interrupting me.” During their entire marriage, the man had already understood perfectly what such an introduction meant. Thunder and lightning would rain down on him in droves. “Well, well, go … Read more
Alright, Katya, sorry for yesterday…” Katerina stood, turned away from the stove, pouring coffee for her husband, and remained silent. “Come on, don’t sulk. You know me. I got carried away.” “Alright,” she turned toward the table, lowered her eyes, placed two cups of coffee on it, and adjusted the terry bathrobe around her neck. … Read more
Kristina, while in the maternity hospital, learned that her mother-in-law had moved in with them. The young parents were quickly pushed aside by the newly-minted grandmother from their son. At home, Kristina noticed that the baby bath and a pack of diapers she had bought were on the balcony. – “How wonderful that you’re having … Read more
I was standing by the stove, stirring tomato sauce, when Dmitry burst into the kitchen. His loud footsteps echoed on the old wooden floors of our rented one-room apartment. In his hands, he had a worn backpack, which he immediately threw on a chair. The smell of gasoline and tobacco smoke followed him—he had obviously … Read more
Alyna, Alyna, it can’t be, is it really you?” – a male voice sounded. She flinched and slowly turned around. Standing before her was Andrei. The same Andrei, her first love, the one who had nearly gotten her stepfather to kill her. Alyna glanced at her husband, who was talking to the doctor at that … Read more
You’re not seriously expecting my Nikita to take care of someone else’s child, are you?” Svetlana Petrovna delicately placed the porcelain cup on its saucer. “The boy is already grown. It’ll do him good to learn independence.” Irina felt the air freeze around her. The perfect silver hair, manicured nails, expensive jewelry—everything about her mother-in-law … Read more
Len, are you out of your mind? We just had our own baby!” — Alexey slammed the cupboard door in irritation. “What adoption are you talking about?” Elena stood by the window, looking at the grey February day. The maternity hospital was on the outskirts of their small town, and the view from the room … Read more