Elizaveta Andreevna was walking down a deserted street toward the train station, clutching her bag tightly to her chest. It was early morning — the city was just waking up, but to her, everything around seemed frozen, as if submerged in aquarium water. Rare passersby, rare cars, even the pigeons on the sidewalk — all … Read more
When she entered the central bank, no one paid any attention to her. Among the crowd of business people in strict suits, carrying briefcases, important documents, and confident looks, the girl in a cheap dress and worn shoes looked out of place — like a shadow accidentally wandering into the world of light. The security … Read more
A call from my mother caught me while I was working on reports at the office. She never called during work hours—she knew I was busy. Her voice sounded uncertain, as if she herself didn’t quite know what to ask. “Anyuta, I have a delicate matter to discuss with you…” I put down my pen … Read more
Sixteen years have passed since Timur left his native village, slamming the gate of his father’s house. He was a young man then—only twenty, with a suitcase in his hand and pain in his chest. All these years, his mother wrote to him: at first often, every week, then once a month… over time, the … Read more
— Didn’t understand?! — Misha’s voice cut through the silence of the stairwell, echoing off the concrete walls. — What is going on here?! The key wouldn’t turn. The lock… the lock was different. Completely different. Misha crouched down, staring at the metal lock plate as if it could explain what had happened to his … Read more
— Daughter, go play, — Svetlana asked little Lena. The girl obediently ran out of the kitchen and immediately disappeared into the nursery. Oleg was watching his wife carefully. If she hadn’t sent him a text yesterday saying “we’ll talk in the morning,” he would have shouted and demanded to know what happened. — I … Read more
Tamara looked at Valentin Konstantinovich and was once again convinced: her attitude toward him had remained the same — not changed even slightly. And he, as always, met her with the same piercing, full of hostility gaze. Once, a long time ago, before she foolishly got involved in that situation and ended up behind bars, … Read more
Svetlana looked sadly at the moon, barely visible through the thick cover of misty clouds shimmering in its ghostly light. Her heart was full of pain — the last few months had turned into an endless eclipse for her since her husband disappeared. Life had become gray and joyless: colors had faded, and happiness had … Read more
The evening light reluctantly filtered through the tulle on the windows when Mikhail threw open the apartment door with such force that it slammed against the wall. Anna flinched, not tearing her eyes away from the laptop screen where she was once again rereading the technical assignment from a client in Moscow. The woman had … Read more
— Where do you think you’re going? We can manage without sour cream!” the mother-in-law tried to stop her. “Come on, I’ll be back in fifteen minutes on my bike!” Dasha was already rolling her iron horse out onto the porch. “Who eats borscht without sour cream anyway?” Anna Vasilyevna smiled, shaking her head after … Read more