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Victor Kolesnikov slowed his SUV at the intersection. Through the window of the expensive foreign car, the world outside seemed somehow different, as if shielded by an invisible barrier from everyday problems. The businessman tiredly wiped his eyes with his palm. The day had been exhausting—negotiations with his Japanese partners had dragged on until late … Read more

On the outskirts of the city, in a quiet and peaceful place, there was a small establishment called “Corner.” This place did not strive for popularity among the fashionable crowd but mainly attracted locals with its homely atmosphere. For the third year, Alina had been working there.   On the eve of a new workday, … Read more

A young woman, like a ghost, glided through the night streets. The Central Avenue marked her boundary. Beyond it began a world of fear and uncertainty. Every step forward could be her last—it seemed that from any corner Pavel might leap out, grab her hand, and force her back.   «Just as long as he … Read more

— “I evicted the tenants from your apartment; my sister will live there,” came the husband’s words like thunder out of a clear sky. Alina froze, her eyes wide. The news crashed over her like a cold shower. — “What? How is that possible? Are you insane?— she still couldn’t believe the reality of what … Read more

In the complete silence of the room, the phone emitted a short signal, illuminating the ceiling with a cold blue light. It was two in the morning. Larisa carefully reached toward the bedside table, trying not to disturb her husband, but Viktor had already propped himself up on his elbow, his eyes wide open. “Who … Read more

The day passed as usual. Christina was about to finish work when her phone rang — it was her worried husband: Where are you? How much longer? Come on, hurry up, I’m waiting for you. Without giving any explanations, Nikita hung up. Christina began to worry and called a taxi to get home faster. At … Read more

Anna once again ran her hand over the polished surface of the table, even though it already shone with impeccable cleanliness. The clock showed four—guests would arrive in two hours. Again, her husband’s guests. She caught her reflection in the gleaming surface of the sideboard—a haggard face, hair hastily gathered in a messy bun. When … Read more

Fedor sat in the cool office of a private clinic, his fingers so tightly interlaced that they had turned white from the strain. Every word from the doctor, spoken with that particular caution that only comes when delivering dreadful diagnoses, seemed to drive another nail into the coffin of his fate. An invisible noose tightened … Read more

— Have you chosen anything? — the voice sounded soft, yet with a hint of involvement, as if the waitress had been watching him from behind the counter for a long time. Andrey finally tore himself away from the roadside café menu, where he had stopped to grab a bite during his lunch break. His … Read more

— And the children kicked me out…” sobbed the aunt, who many years ago had tried to raise Artyom. “They put me in the shed, saying that I was in their way. I laid my life at their feet! Forgive me if I hurt you… Soon I’ll have to answer to your late mother as … Read more