The wedding procession was speeding through the city streets. Cheerful, lively music played in the car’s cabin, and the driver kept up the mood by honking at passing cars, both oncoming and alongside. The bride was completely absorbed in anticipation of the important moment—her eyes were glowing, her hands trembled with excitement, she kept adjusting … Read more
— Where are you going at this hour? — came a sharp voice from the kitchen. — As if to some cacophonous parade! From the doorway came the familiar smell of fried potatoes and the faint scent of old resentment. Nadya appeared, dressed in her favorite apron with faded sunflowers, hands on her hips, her … Read more
— Katya, are you almost there? I’m starving, I have no strength, — came Igor’s lazy, drawn-out voice from the room as Katya, barely stepping over the threshold, tried to find the light switch in the dark hallway. The light finally flickered on, stabbing her tired eyes. She silently slipped off her shoes, feeling her … Read more
The more Slava, my husband, spoke, the more sharply I realized how terribly mistaken I had been about this man. His words stung like bees, and I was deeply disappointed in him. How could I have failed to see the rot inside him? Or do all lovers wear rose-colored glasses? Well, thank fate that helped … Read more
The night was humid and sultry, as if the air had thickened. Cars rarely passed through the deserted intersection—their headlights briefly illuminating two people frozen over a body on the wet asphalt beneath the trembling light of a streetlamp. The body lay motionless, and nearby stood Igor—her husband. He was shaking with fear, his face … Read more
Ten years. Ten long, exhausting years full of hope, tears, failures, and harsh trials passed for Ulyana and Evgeny Dmitriev before they heard the first cry of their son. That sound was like a revelation to them — it filled the emptiness in their hearts, brought life to the walls of their modest apartment in … Read more
— Did you come by for lunch? — Masha looked at her husband, who had come home quite early. — For both lunch and dinner. I’m not going back to work anymore. — What do you mean, you’re not going?! — she raised her eyebrows. — What else am I supposed to do there? — … Read more
Elena was folding the kitchen towels — new ones, with a delicate floral pattern — when the phone vibrated. She sighed: four missed calls from Katya, a friend from work. It was probably nothing important. Elena returned to the cupboard, but the phone vibrated again. “Lena, why aren’t you answering?” Katya babbled. “Did you know … Read more
— Where are you?! I’m standing with the kids at your door! Mom said you have to let us in! — We’ve left, — Egor repeated firmly. — We won’t be in town for seven days. — How could you?! — Kristina screamed. — Mom can’t watch the kids, her blood pressure is bad! You … Read more
Maxim Artemyev adored his balcony. Especially on Friday mornings, when the city was still slowly digesting the last hours of the workweek, and he was already free — a successful head of a bank department who had been the first to slip away from the weekday bustle, eagerly anticipating the long-awaited weekend. The air smelled … Read more