“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
Marina carefully arranged the glasses on the festive table. Their apartment gleamed with cleanliness—three days of cleaning hadn’t been in vain. Her mother-in-law’s jubilee was serious business. “Marina, isn’t the tablecloth too bright?” Sergey peeked into the room. “It’s fine,” Marina muttered. “Don’t start. Your mom said ‘festive,’ so I did my best.” “You know … Read more
Arina froze in the bedroom doorway, watching her husband, Dmitry, adjust his tie in the mirror. “Dima, have you seen my sapphire earrings? The white-gold ones Mom gave me for my thirtieth.” Dmitry kept fussing with his tie without turning around. “No, I have no idea where they could be. Why, are they missing?” Arina … Read more
“Sorry, Galya, but after my death you’ll have to vacate this apartment,” Anatoly told his wife. “I’m leaving it to my son. I’ve already given the necessary instructions. I hope you won’t hold it against me. You have children—they’ll look after you.” Life had knocked Galina around. She was raised in an orphanage and never … Read more
— “Which apartment are you planning to split?” the wife asked. — “Fine,” the husband answered roughly. “Either way, half the apartment is mine.” Marina shook her head. — “Let’s consider that your family spent that money remodeling the home of their grandson and son,” she explained firmly. “You wanted to start a new life—please, … Read more
“Your pregnant mistress called. She sends her regards,” Irina said without looking up from the stove. Andrey froze in the kitchen doorway. Twenty years—a whole life—flashed before his eyes. The keys slipped from his hand. “What are you talking about? What mistress?” His voice trembled. “Alisa. Your assistant, isn’t she?” Irina finally turned. “Young, twenty-five. … Read more
Galina, exhausted after a long day at work, couldn’t wait to be home. Her husband, Sergey, was away on a business trip, and she dreamed of a quiet evening. Anticipating those small joys, Galina turned the key in the lock—but unfamiliar voices drifted from the living room. She froze on the threshold. A moment later, … Read more
‘You’re not family to me!’ — How a Husband’s Words at an Anniversary Became the Start of Galina’s New Life” Chapter 1. The Final Touches Galina ran her palm over the snow-white tablecloth— not a crumb in sight. She checked the salads: neat mounds crowned with fresh herbs. Her signature meat roulade was slow-cooking in … Read more
“I don’t understand why you put up with this,” Natasha, Yulia’s colleague, said, shaking her head in surprise. “I would’ve put my foot down long ago.” Yulia just sighed, stirring her coffee. The lunch break was almost over, and talking to her friend hadn’t brought any relief. “You know, sometimes it feels like I live … Read more