Valentina stood in the middle of Yuri’s office, clutching a rag in her hands. The shelves, overloaded with old magazines, smelled of dust and something sour—like forgotten tea left in a cup. Tomorrow Yuri would turn sixty-six, and she had decided: it was time to tidy up his den. “There will be a surprise,” she … Read more
— Kolya, I’m late again! Maybe we should go buy a test? — Ksenia looked at her husband with hope, as he lay on the couch, focused on his phone. Nikolai looked up and frowned. — Ksenia, how many times do we have to go through this? I told you, now is not the best … Read more
Ksyusha, you won’t believe it! Mom’s decided to throw a huge birthday party!” Vitalya burst into the kitchen, waving his phone. “Fifty‑nine years old—quite a landmark!” Ksenia didn’t so much as lift her head from the laptop as she sorted through work documents. “What’s so surprising? She goes all‑out every year,” she said, sipping her … Read more
Snowy, we finally made it!” Marina burst into the new apartment, carrying a huge box with a cake. Snezhana smiled as she took the gift. Five years of dreaming had finally come true: their own two‑room flat in a brand‑new building. It might be on the edge of town, but it was theirs. “Come in, … Read more
I suggest we live together as a threesome,» my husband declared to me. «I’ve always dreamed of this. Tanya, why are you being so stubborn? I’ve thought it all through! Look, Alya will move in here, into your house. You’ll help her until the baby is born, and then the three of us will raise … Read more
Anna had never trusted her husband. Therefore, she had to rely only on herself. That’s how things had turned out in their married life. Her husband Viktor was as handsome as a poppy flower. He was also the life of any party. He drank alcohol in moderation, didn’t smoke, and wasn’t obsessed with football, fishing, … Read more
— I already told you and I’m not going to repeat myself! Your sister and her boyfriend are not staying with us for a week! — Olesya turned away from her husband and continued arranging plush toys on the shelf in the nursery. — Lesya, why are you being so stone-hearted? — Anton leaned against … Read more
— What do you mean, the door? I just walked in. Are you kicking me out? — Oleg blinked in confusion. — Marina, what’s going on? — What I heard! Get out! — I’m so tired. I’ve been on a business trip for three days, running around the sites like a madman. I’m exhausted … Read more
Mom, I need to have a man-to-man talk with you,» Alyoshka announced seriously, fixing his bright blue, sky-colored eyes on her. Well, good morning to you too. Natalia placed a plate of scrambled eggs and a cup of cocoa in front of her son and sat down next to him. «I’m listening carefully, Alexey.» Her … Read more
For her birthday, Alyona did her hair and makeup: she wanted to look flawless. She suspected that on this special day, Roman would give her something special: she saw a velvet box in his bag when she was taking out the lunch container. And of course, she couldn’t resist peeking inside. There was a ring. … Read more