When Sofia announced that she was going to marry a man with a disability, her loved ones seemed to lose the power of speech. Her family was in shock, her friends were stunned, and distant relatives gathered for an informal family council as if deciding a matter of national importance. Everyone felt it was their … Read more
Zhanna didn’t utter a word when saying goodbye to her husband. The doctors said he was leaving — slowly but inexorably. She left the hospital overwhelmed with grief, still feeling the warmth of his fingers in her hands. While she was near Denis, Zhanna remained strong. She tried not to show fear, not to reveal … Read more
And when she entered the restaurant, her mother couldn’t believe her eyes…” “Have you completely lost it?” she almost shouted, recoiling as if caught red-handed. “Me? In this? Playing your fiancée? Yesterday, I was digging food out of the trash!” He calmly clicked the lock, closing the door, and, tiredly leaning against the wall, … Read more
A seven-year-old orphan boy lay in the hospital room, as if already cut off from life. He was a lonely child — without parents, without love, without a chance, or so it seemed to everyone around. Only the doctors, the ticking clock, cold walls, and the hum of medical machines. They were about to disconnect … Read more
My name is Marina. I’m 29 years old. I’m Anya’s older sister — the one who was always held up as an example to her in childhood. Until one day, I simply stopped being noticed as soon as the younger sister was born: bright, loud, irresistible. Anya always knew how to be the center of … Read more
You will become the brightest star, the most talented of all. They will surely notice you, and your name will appear on all the posters.» Sophia cried, burying her face in the blanket that covered her father. His hand, weak but still warm, slid through her hair. «Don’t cry, my girl, please. You can’t fool … Read more
An elderly man hesitantly approached the grand entrance of a fashionable restaurant. His suit was neatly pressed but noticeably worn — apparently, he had worn it many years ago and had only just put it on again after a long time. His gray hair lay in sparse strands, as if unsure whether to stay in … Read more
I still remember that day — as if it collided with my life forever. The doctor was holding the X-rays, quickly speaking about abnormalities, areas of damage, and functional deviations. The words flew through me like wind through an empty window. I sat there, unwilling to understand. I couldn’t. But one sentence pierced my heart … Read more
Valery had just pulled up to the house and was parking in the courtyard when he heard the scream of his wife, Alyona. The man could not be mistaken, it was definitely his spouse. «Damn, what happened again?» he thought anxiously and hurried to finish parking. The elevator, as if to spite him, was slow … Read more
They talked, laughed, and then began to dance. Later, he said, “I’ll walk her home.” He only returned in the morning. Without a single word of apology. Katya sat in the kitchen, absentmindedly stirring the cooled oatmeal in her bowl with a spoon. Her face was frozen, like a mask. Fifteen years of marriage, two … Read more