Fate took a dramatic turn for Alexandra when the state-funded organization where she had long worked as an accountant was shut down. The stability in her life disappeared along with her modest but steady paycheck. At 35, she found herself alone with three schoolchildren in her care – her husband had chosen to leave her … Read more
When the elderly woman’s consciousness returned, she found herself in an unfamiliar room resembling a hospital ward. A sharp pain throbbed at her temples, as if struck by something heavy. Her memory refused to reveal where she was or how she ended up there. Squinting her eyes shut, she tried to piece together the chain … Read more
— You only earned money on this wreck! — those words lashed at Zhenya all the way. — What did you expect, Zhenka? A happy life? Well done, you got what you deserved! She threw down her heavy bags and sank onto an old tree stump. Everything had started so well… Or was she merely … Read more
Maria fell in love with her new classmate at first sight. His name was Rustam. Such guys are usually called “majors” — they drive expensive cars, wear branded clothes, and the case on their phone costs more than the average monthly salary. But it was him, not his status, that attracted Maria. She loved everything … Read more
Sonya, in my opinion, it’s easier to implement it than to revive it,” the father remarked. Sophia was in the parent’s office, reviewing some documentation. “Dad, who was actually behind the wheel?” “Oh, there’s a whole story there. Once, my cousin came to see me. She got married and had a son. For a long … Read more
Denis was returning home after an exhausting day at work. The many important decisions he had made that day now manifested as a dull pain in his temples, and all he could dream of was to relax and rest. At one point, the idea of stopping by the market on his way home to buy … Read more
Inna stood by the window, watching as raindrops trickled down the glass, forming whimsical patterns. Seventeen years – is that a lot or a little? She remembered every day of their life together, every anniversary, every glance. And now everything was collapsing like a house of cards. “We need to talk,” Alexey’s voice sounded unusually … Read more
Ludmila sat at the kitchen table, nervously tapping a spoon on the rim of a cup of cooling tea. Her eyes, narrowed from perpetual dissatisfaction, followed as Marina loaded boxes into the car outside. “That’s it,” she thought, “finally this upstart has been removed from my boy’s life.” Alexey stood by the car with his … Read more
Marina stood before the mirror, fixing a stray lock of hair for the hundredth time. Everything had to be perfect today—from her new seafoam-colored dress to the last candle on the birthday cake. Her son’s tenth birthday was a very special event, and she had been preparing for it for almost a month. “Mom, when … Read more
Veronika slowly lowered the cup of cooling coffee. Her fingers, adorned with rings—gifts from her husband over twenty years of marriage—trembled slightly. Through the vast panoramic window of the Bellagio restaurant, the view of the evening city spread out, yet she noticed neither the twinkling lights nor the bustling waiters. Her entire world had shrunk … Read more