Anna froze on the threshold, clutching the suitcase. The hallway smelled of coffee and… someone else’s perfume. Men’s slippers stood on the floor—not Sergey’s. Plaid ones, with pompoms. His style was minimalist: black, no patterns. She shifted her gaze to the coat rack. Next to his coat hung an olive-green down jacket—they didn’t have one … Read more
— Dima, look what I have on my phone, — Lena held out her smartphone to her husband, frowning. Sunlight filtered through the curtains, lighting up their cozy living room. Dima looked up from his laptop, lazily glancing at the screen filled with some unknown audio files. — Some unnamed recordings. Weird, — he shrugged. … Read more
Young and talented surgeon Ivan Sergeyevich Murashin, who had already established himself as one of the most promising specialists in his clinic, had long been accustomed to the instability and unpredictability of his work schedule. For him, night calls had become almost a second name — they meant one thing: he was being called back … Read more
“Oh, damn, I nearly shit myself laughing at that meeting!” Marina threw her shoes into the corner and collapsed onto the sofa without even bothering to take off her jacket. “Can you imagine? They were accusing you right in front of the whole department of embezzlement! And you — damn it — an experienced accountant, … Read more
Verochka, open up, it’s family!” — the girl immediately recognized the voices of her relatives. “Aunt Zina, what are you doing here?” “We came to work. You know how things are getting worse and worse in our backwater. So Petya and I decided to go to Moscow to earn money and help my daughter.” “And … Read more
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