You really thought I’d let you sign this apartment over to cover someone else’s debts? Not a chance — you bunch of freeloaders, out of my house!” Natalia declared.

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Natalya ran her palm over the smooth countertop of the new kitchen set and smiled. Three years earlier, when she had inherited this three-room apartment from her grandmother, it had looked completely different: old Soviet wallpaper, creaky parquet, a tiny kitchen with flaking paint on the walls. Now it had a modern renovation—light walls, comfortable … Read more

How could you refuse to register my daughter at your address?!” the mother-in-law burst into the apartment.

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— How could you refuse to register my daughter at your address?! — the mother-in-law burst into the apartment” Lena closed the door of the rented apartment and leaned wearily against the doorframe. Another workday was over, and another paycheck had partly gone toward rent. She kicked off her heels and walked into the kitchen, … Read more

— Get out of my apartment. I don’t want to see any of you here anymore, Nina said, looking her mother-in-law straight in the eyes.

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Nina was signing the last document at the notary’s office and could hardly believe her happiness. The apartment was hers. Completely hers. A bright three-bedroom place in a good neighborhood. She had saved for it for five years, denying herself everything, and then took out a loan for the remaining amount. “Congratulations on your purchase,” … Read more

Your son said you bought a three-room apartment downtown. I’ll be the only one living in this apartment!” the mother-in-law declared.

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Elena left the office and headed for her car. The workday had been intense—three client meetings, a pile of documents, and nonstop calls. She had been working as a lawyer at a large company for five years and was used to that pace. Elena had always been driven; even at university she worked part-time so … Read more

“Where are you?! Why doesn’t the key work, and why did you throw my things out into the stairwell?!” her husband yelled into the phone

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Irina came out of the bathroom, drying her wet hair with a towel. Five years ago, when she married Kirill, she had thought they would build a strong family. Back then she still believed in fairy tales about love that could overcome anything. But reality turned out to be completely different. Irina had bought the … Read more

Just before lunch, her boss, Valery Andreevich, called her into his office.

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Right before lunch, her boss, Valery Andreyevich, called her into his office. “There’s a little matter, Varvara Sergeyevna,” he said. “I’d like to ask you to handle a delicate assignment. We need to congratulate a client on behalf of our company—make him a surprise. For certain reasons I can’t do it myself—I’m busy this evening—and … Read more

“I’m not obliged to put up with your family in my house,” Victoria enunciated crisply. “Decide today who you’re living with.”

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Victoria stood on the porch of her house and looked out at the garden. The apple trees had already shed their leaves, preparing for winter. The paths were neatly swept, the flowerbeds covered for the cold season. She had bought this house three years ago, after receiving an inheritance from her grandmother. A two-story home … Read more

A husband left for his “friend,” and when he came back a year later, an unexpected surprise was waiting for him

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Valentina froze by the kitchen window, clutching a cup of cold tea in her hands. Outside the glass, the snow was slowly melting, turning into dirty puddles in the yard. Just as slowly, her former life was melting away. “Valya, I’m leaving,” Yuri said, standing in the doorway with a suitcase in his hand. “To … Read more

— “We’re not here for a couple of days — we’re here for good! You don’t wait for family, you welcome family!” Galina barked as she squeezed into the house.

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Why did you drag yourself here again without warning?!” Yana’s voice cracked sharper than she meant it to. She was standing on a stool in the middle of a damp, unfinished room, putty knife in hand, while chalky plaster dust rained down from the ceiling. A heatwave in December was normal for their southern coast, … Read more