The cold spring river took him silently, leaving no cry, no splash, no explanation. When Alexander, Alina’s father, drowned, the village talked of nothing but the absurdity and cruelty of fate. An avid, experienced fisherman who knew the water like the back of his hand—and then such a senseless death. Some whispered he had slipped … Read more
After my husband’s funeral, my son drove me to the edge of town and said, “This is where you get off, Mom. We can’t support you anymore.” I said nothing. I had been guarding a secret for years—one my ungrateful son would one day come to regret. It drizzled the morning we buried Ramón. My … Read more
— Salty. It wasn’t a question and it wasn’t a reproach. It was a statement of fact, spoken in an even, almost indifferent tone that was scarier than any shout. Vadim slowly set his spoon on the table beside his plate, carefully, so as not to make an extra sound. He didn’t look at Olga. … Read more
— You’ve forgotten your place, Irina. This dacha and this apartment—all of it belongs to my son. So you’d better keep quiet if you want to stay here for a long time. Irina had been living with her husband for several years. Together with Anton, they were raising a wonderful daughter, Ksenia, who was about … Read more
“Sweetheart, I’m planning to move in with you soon—right after I sign my apartment over to your younger sister. So start getting a room ready for me with your husband!” The words landed on the little table between them with a clink louder than a teaspoon against porcelain. They dropped straight into the saucer of … Read more
“Come in, Marina. Dinner needs to be cooked—the groceries are in a bag in the kitchen. The laundry’s in the basket. Wipe the dust in the living room; I haven’t gotten around to it in ages,” the future mother-in-law rattled off, and then, as if casually, added, “And Vanya and I will watch a movie … Read more
Mishka has a friend—a handsome guy named Dimka. He makes good money, his career is on the rise, success after success, and he knows a couple of languages. He’s a bit high-strung, true, but that’s from overwork. He lives alone. And there’s a lady friend—smart and beautiful Nastya, excellent education, cultured, a diamond of a … Read more
— Lena, I was talking to my mom—next weekend we need to go out to her dacha. There’s a ton to do: paint the fence, sand the old varnish off the veranda—she can’t handle it alone, — Igor said in his usual Saturday tone—relaxed, faintly patronizing, the way people speak about things long decided and … Read more
“I signed the agreement, just like you asked, Kolya. Now the entire family business is yours,” Zoya said, handing over a folder tied with a thin leather ribbon. “Excellent, my dear. You did the right thing. Now sit down. I’m going to say something you might not like—take it with dignity,” he replied without lifting … Read more
Tatyana was pouring the evening tea into cups when a sharp ring at the door made her start. The clock showed half past ten. Who would come to the dacha at this hour? “Sergey, someone’s here,” she called to her husband, but he was already heading for the door. A minute later familiar voices sounded … Read more