Alyona, my dear, help me…” — Maria Nikitichna’s voice trembled as she crossed the threshold of the house, tightly holding two small bundles to her chest. Alyona froze by the sink, the half-washed plate still in her hand. Outside, the rain poured, and the dog hesitated to come inside, huddling by the wall and howling. … Read more
It all began when Nina, a fifty-four-year-old widow, finally received a two-room apartment in an old building from her parents. The concrete high-rise had cracked walls, creaky floors, and outlets that almost fell out of the walls — but to her, it symbolized a new chapter. Her children had grown and moved away, her husband … Read more
— Dad, did you see that cool car parked by our entrance?!” — Zhenya burst into the apartment, her hair tousled like a sparrow’s, and then froze. There was a woman in the room with her father. He was holding her hand and didn’t let go, even when his daughter entered. Zhenya immediately forgot about … Read more
– Mom, Oksana and I decided to rent an apartment, – Igor said, looking at his mother with restrained eyes, – a small room, something modest. We don’t need much. Raissa Grigoryevna, who was putting laundry in the wardrobe, turned sharply, pressing a towel to her chest. – What’s with these expenses?! – she exclaimed. … Read more
Irina stood by the window, watching as the wind swept the leaves across the yard. In an hour, the usual Sunday invasion of her husband’s relatives would begin, and her cozy apartment would turn into a thoroughfare. She sighed heavily, absentmindedly straightening the folds of the new tablecloth – the fifth one this year. The … Read more
You want to ruin my meeting and sabotage the contract?! You… You’ve just been tormenting me lately! You do everything against me, just to spite me!” Pavel yelled at his wife, who could barely stand on her feet. Lately, Pavel couldn’t be around his wife. He didn’t recognize her. Instead of the bright, cheerful Polina … Read more
— Maybe it’s a sign? — Maria stopped at the gate, her gaze falling on an apple that had dropped right in front of her and split in two. Nikolai silently picked up both halves. He handed one to his wife. His eyes said more than any words ever could. The sixth test. The sixth … Read more
— I spent three days cleaning like a cursed woman! — Maria Olegovna spoke indignantly, not hiding her resentment. — Three sleepless nights, but I did everything: scrubbed the floors, dusted, washed all the dishes. And them… they trashed the apartment in an hour! How can you ruin a brand-new home like that? You weren’t … Read more
I can’t live like this anymore, Anya,” Sergey threw his keys on the table, and flour scattered like snow across the surface. I froze, clutching the dough in my hands. The children in the other room fell silent, as if sensing the oncoming storm. I tried to breathe evenly, though my heart was pounding in … Read more
I miss you so much,” Maria whispered, shuddering at the sound of her own voice in the silence of the room. Her fingers froze above an old photo album. In the faded photograph, Sasha was smiling, holding little Artyom on his shoulders. Maria gently ran her fingertips over his image. Nine years had passed, but … Read more