Olga was woken by the phone ringing. Glancing at the clock, she saw it was barely six in the morning. On the other end of the line was her father’s voice, trembling, unlike his usual tone, as though he was holding back tears.

by

The phone call woke Olga. Looking at the clock, she saw it was still not even six in the morning. On the other end of the line, her father’s voice trembled, unlike his usual tone, as if he was holding back tears. — Olyenka, dear… They took mom to the hospital. Something with her heart… … Read more

“Katya, there’s something I need to tell you…” – Alexei nervously shifted in his chair, sitting at the table.

by

Katya, there’s something…,” Alexey said, nervously shifting in his chair as he sat at the table. “You know I’m leaving for a business trip tomorrow, right?” “I know,” Ekaterina tensed up. Alexey seemed unusually worried. She started to feel anxious as well. “What happened? Did they ask you to stay on the business trip longer?” … Read more

The teacher tutored the student at home. After she became pregnant, he started avoiding meetings, fearing the consequences.

by

Yulenka, if you don’t start improving in physics and mathematics, they won’t admit you to college,” her mother worried. “I just can’t get these subjects, mom.” “Maybe we should hire a tutor?” “We have a new teacher for physics and math — Gennady Mikhailovich. He’s just out of university. Very smart. Maybe you could ask … Read more

The rich man came to his father’s village to visit his mother, whom he hadn’t seen for 16 years. But upon seeing an unfamiliar woman by the gate, he was left speechless.

by

Sixteen years have passed since Timur left his native village, slamming the gate of his father’s house. He was a young man then—only twenty, with a suitcase in his hand and pain in his chest. All these years, his mother wrote to him: at first often, every week, then once a month… over time, the … Read more

I saved the crow after finding it wounded. But what it brought back a month later—it’s something I can’t say out loud.

by

On a rainy autumn evening, when the sky was covered with dense clouds and the whole world was painted in gloomy gray tones, I was walking home after an exhausting workday. Suddenly, through the sound of rain and the hum of traffic, I heard a strange, piercing cry. It stood out from the other sounds, … Read more

Since the little one started attending the new kindergarten, she suddenly stopped speaking. What exactly was happening in that kindergarten — it’s better not to know.

by

On the ninth floor of the new building, the air smelled of fresh renovation—glue, whitewash, and cardboard boxes from Leroy Merlin. Outside the windows, there were gray garage roofs and in the distance, a barely noticeable strip of forest, still asleep from its winter slumber. Spring was somewhere nearby but hesitated to enter. Lena stood … Read more

— You? — Elena’s voice was surprised and even scared. As she opened the door, she least expected to see Oleg standing on the threshold of the apartment.

by

You?” Elena’s voice was surprised and even frightened. When she opened the door, she least expected to see Oleg standing on the threshold of their former apartment. “Yes,” he smirked. “Will you let me in? After all, I’m not a stranger here.” Elena stepped back, letting her ex-husband into their once-shared apartment. Oleg walked in, … Read more

Olya, I want a divorce. I have a new, high position now, and you don’t match up!” her husband declared rudely.

by

Olga eagerly flipped through the culinary magazine, making notes in the margins. The new recipe for French julienne seemed especially interesting to her. “I’ll have to try adding white mushrooms instead of champignons,” she thought, imagining how she would surprise her husband with the unusual flavor. Cooking had always been her passion. She could spend … Read more