The phone rang at three in the morning—loud and insistent. Svetlana rolled onto her other side and pulled the blanket over her head. Half-awake, she heard Anton get up, groping for his slippers in the dark. “Who on earth is calling at this hour?” she muttered, turning onto her back. Anton didn’t answer; he simply … Read more
Galina wiped her sweaty palms on her apron and glanced once more at the festive table. Everything had to be perfect. Sixty years is no joke! She imagined the guests’ faces when they saw this feast and smiled. Especially Viktor would have to appreciate her efforts. “Mom, you’ve gone overboard again,” Maria said, entering the … Read more
— Who is this? — Sergey Alexandrovich asked coldly as soon as Anna entered the house, tightly holding a small baby wrapped in a soft blanket against her chest. There was no hint of joy or surprise in his voice. Only irritation. — Do you seriously think I will accept this? He had just returned … Read more
— How many children would you like? — Oleg asked with that special smile that made Christina feel warm inside. She noticed how the lamp light played in his eyes, coloring them a warm amber. Christina lifted her gaze from her cup of tea and pretended to think seriously. Her eyes sparkled playfully. — Many, … Read more
“Here,” the young woman practically shoved a bundle right into my hands, followed by a heavy, dense bag. “Please.” The electric train jolted at the rail joint, and I barely managed to steady the unexpected burden. Something stirred inside the bundle. I unfolded the edge of the fabric—and met the gaze of a child. An … Read more
Nastya took off her boots at the entrance and stayed in just one gray, pilled but beloved wool sweater. The apartment smelled of fresh renovation, dust from the furniture, and slightly of paint. Although it was in a panel building, the apartment was her pride. Her parents, moving to Sochi permanently, had transferred the two-room … Read more
“Oh God, I’m so fed up with everything!” — Alexey threw his keys onto the hallway table with a bang as he entered the apartment. “Lyosha, what’s wrong?” his wife asked in surprise. Masha usually came home from work earlier than her husband and managed to tidy up the apartment and cook something for dinner … Read more
“Lena, did you purposely oversalt the meat?” Valentina Petrovna pushed the plate away with disgust. “Or do you just not know how to cook?” I slowly lowered my fork. For the third day in a row, my mother-in-law showed up unannounced and staged a scene during lunch. Yesterday the soup was too watery, the day … Read more
Anna’s salary was enough only to pay for utilities and the minimum set of groceries. Two weeks before payday felt endless. The one-room apartment, bought before her marriage to Sergey, was small but hers. Anna was proud of this achievement. Sergey moved in with her even before their wedding. He earned a little, working as … Read more
— I don’t like this haircut. I’m not going to pay. The blonde had been arguing with the salon receptionist for half an hour, where Nastya worked as a manicure and pedicure specialist. — Miss, you only trimmed the ends. It’s not a “haircut.” — Oh, is that so? Then what is it, by law…? … Read more