Marina had always been an ordinary girl, not particularly standing out among her peers. In school and play, she kept pace with everyone else. Her dreams changed with age: in kindergarten she fantasized about a beautiful doll, in the early grades—a fancy dress like her friend’s, and in the later years—about a handsome prince and … Read more
Rita began to clear an impressive pile of grimy crockery, her mood very sour. There were indeed few reasons for joy. How had she come to be in such a murky place in life? Where had her sanity gone? At first, her mental faculties were completely paralyzed by the romantic feeling that had suddenly overwhelmed … Read more
Olga barely tore herself away from the stove to wipe her hands on her apron and pick up the phone. Mikhail was calling again—this was already the second time in a row. It was clearly something important. She answered the call while simultaneously checking to see if dinner was burning. “Hi, dear, how are you?” … Read more
Mikhail Andreevich froze in the bathroom, straining to listen to the conversation beyond the wall. The partition between the kitchen and the bathroom was thin, and the voice of Artyom—the young man dating his daughter Marina—was clear: — Svetka has money stashed in the wardrobe; take it. But be careful so her mother doesn’t notice… … Read more
On the outskirts of the city, in a quiet and peaceful place, there was a small establishment called “The Corner.” This place did not strive for popularity among the trendy crowd but primarily attracted locals with its homey atmosphere. For three years now, Alina had been working there. On the eve of a new workday, … Read more
After training, Vika hurried home, having promised her husband that she would cook fish soup. When she entered the apartment, she saw her husband, Leonid, sitting in the kitchen and drinking wine. — Wow, seems like we’re in one picture then… Leonid, did you run out of patience waiting for me? Let me at least … Read more
Do you believe in miracles, Maria?” Fedor sank heavily onto the porch step, wiping the sweat from his brow with the back of his hand. “In the sky suddenly deciding to listen to our prayers?” “I believe in hard work and perseverance,” Maria replied, gently touching his shoulder. But suddenly her gaze froze at the … Read more
Anna Fedorovna sighed deeply as she positioned yet another pot beneath the raindrops that stubbornly pierced through the ceiling. The old woman shook her head, as if conversing with the sky itself. — What a nuisance! And when will it ever stop? The rain seems endless. Could it be that, up above, God’s roof has … Read more
— What’s gotten into you? Why are you acting so high and mighty?” Anna Mikhailovna looked sternly at her daughter-in-law. “Don’t like it? Then get out that door,” the latter replied calmly. Lena cooked fairly well. Even good, if one were to believe her husband. But when she met her mother-in-law, it turned out that … Read more
Sofya placed the vase of flowers on the table and critically inspected the result. Everything was perfect. A pristine white tablecloth, crystal glasses, expensive champagne in a silver bucket with ice. In the kitchen, a duck with apples was baking in the oven, and in the refrigerator there were desserts from the city’s finest pastry … Read more