My stepfather mocked us, my mother and me, but he didn’t know that in a month I would become his boss.

Victoria noticed how her mother’s hand trembled while setting plates for Sunday lunch. It was their tradition—to gather together once a week, although it became increasingly difficult to force a smile. Especially when her stepfather turned every meeting into a silent battle. “Dear,” Andrei theatrically adjusted the very tie, “please pass the salt. You know, … Read more

Tired of her husband’s infidelities, the wife of a wealthy man replaced his suitcase before his “business trip” to the sea. The mistress would long remember searching for her gift among the clothes.

 It was unbearably hot on the bus, and neither the open hatches nor windows offered any relief to the weary passengers angry about the massive traffic jam. Olga was returning from work, idly pondering what to cook for dinner. Of course, her imagination conjured up exclusive dishes like marbled beef or truffle ravioli. Sighing, she … Read more

What are you doing in my apartment?” Vera froze at the threshold, returning from work. “Living! I’ll be living with you,” declared her mother-in-law proudly.

 The day turned out to be chaotic. Vera hadn’t dealt with such difficult clients in a long time. She even wanted to send him away for good, but Vera valued her reputation, and her law firm was one of the most popular in the city. She returned home dreaming of a hot shower, fragrant tea, … Read more

I won’t take mother in. I often have business trips; I have no time to deal with a sick old lady,” Nikita said roughly.

I will not take my mother in. I’m often away on business trips, I have no time to deal with an old sick woman,” Nikita said bluntly. A flicker of worry passed through his eyes. “What if she starts a fire or a flood? Who will be responsible then?” “I won’t take her either,” Boris … Read more

The waiter allowed the girl to take the leftovers, but a week later he found out who she really was.

The evening light softly streamed through the large windows of a cozy little restaurant named “Old Town.” Pavel, wiping down the tables after the last guests had left, automatically arranged the salt shakers and adjusted the tablecloths. The day was coming to an end, but fatigue weighed on his shoulders like a heavy burden. He … Read more

The groom sent his pregnant bride on a tour to the taiga and left her in the forest. What happened next?

  Alina sat in the kitchen, feverishly gulping down bitter, long-cold, and tasteless coffee, quietly crying. The children slept soundly in their beds, dreaming interesting dreams and sniffling with their little noses, while she just couldn’t fall asleep. Everything that had happened had so drained her that tears simply rolled down non-stop, from despair and … Read more

The hungry girl asked the baker for a slice of bread, but she didn’t eat it. The baker was surprised when he found out why.

 Nazim’s bakery was renowned throughout the region and always enjoyed high demand from customers. Both adults and children loved the tasty baked goods. For his little culinary fans, Nazim always had a discount in place, bringing a smile and gratitude from their parents. Nazim, along with his family, came to Russia many years ago when, … Read more

Maria discovered a strange niche under the windowsill in her mother-in-law’s kitchen and opened it.

  Maria never liked being in her mother-in-law’s kitchen. Something about the room always seemed off to her, as if the walls themselves held some secret. Perhaps it was the stern gaze of Anna Petrovna, who, even in her absence, seemed to watch every move her daughter-in-law made through old photographs on the walls. That … Read more