Lena stood by the window of her empty apartment and looked out at the yard where her children used to play. Now Misha was twenty years old, working in St. Petersburg, and Katya was eighteen, studying at university. The apartment seemed huge and uncomfortable without their laughter, without the constant running around, without the pile … Read more
Anna placed the last blouse into a beautiful new suitcase and smiled contentedly. The long-awaited trip to Turkey was very close now—only a week left. She was already imagining the warm sea, golden sand, and cocktails at sunset. Sergey was also in high spirits, constantly studying guidebooks and making plans for each day of their … Read more
A call from my mother caught me while I was working on reports at the office. She never called during work hours—she knew I was busy. Her voice sounded uncertain, as if she herself didn’t quite know what to ask. “Anyuta, I have a delicate matter to discuss with you…” I put down my pen … Read more
A summer Friday evening promised to be calm, but Alexander came home with a peculiar expression on his face. Tatiana immediately noticed the tension in his movements, his unusual restlessness. “Tanya, we’re having guests today,” her husband announced, taking off his shirt. “Mom is coming, and Maxim too.” “At this hour?” Tatiana was surprised, glancing … Read more
The blue car parked at the familiar entrance with usual confidence. Vladimir Nikolaevich turned off the engine and looked back at his wife. “Lyudochka, don’t forget the jam for the grandchildren,” reminded the father-in-law, pulling heavy bags of groceries from the trunk. Lyudmila Ivanovna nodded, adjusting her summer dress. The July sun was mercilessly scorching, … Read more
Just a week ago, on a warm, sunlit Sunday, Victoria, gathering her thoughts and courage, finally decided to tidy up the attic — the very same place where, over the years, things had been set aside; at first, it was too painful to forget them, and later there simply was no time to sort through … Read more
“Seven million four hundred thousand,” Orlov, the general director, said. His voice was so steady and emotionless that it sounded less like a number being read aloud and more like a sentence being passed. There was no anger, no sympathy — only emptiness. And it was precisely that which made his words especially terrifying. He … Read more
Arthur had long stopped living under the same roof with his parents. After graduating from university, he stayed in Moscow — a city full of opportunities, noise, lights, and a wild pace. There he got a promising job, rented a cozy apartment overlooking an old park, and began a new chapter of his life. His … Read more
In the very heart of a cozy, warm restaurant, decorated with the soft glow of candles and the aroma of fresh pastries, a meeting full of unexpected turns took place. That evening, Alina, a beautiful, confident woman and owner of a chain of upscale restaurants, was sitting at one of the tables, enjoying the moment. … Read more
Elena stood for a long time at the threshold of her mother-in-law’s apartment, gathering her courage. In her hands, she held a huge construction bag that barely fit in the elevator. The bag was so heavy that she had to stop three times on the way from the car to the entrance. The doorbell rang … Read more