— You’re fired! Get out of the company, you talentless fool! — the mother-in-law threw at her with malicious delight, pushing her daughter-in-law out of the office door.

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“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

— Good thing you came! I have no money to pay for the apartment, and the groceries have run out. (The crafty grandmother taught me how to fend off unwanted guests)

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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

A widowed woman, crushed by grief, took in a stranger with a baby, and only after some time discovered who the child’s father was.

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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

The cleaner’s daughter came to the bank for an inheritance… The financier laughed, but when he opened the safety deposit box, he couldn’t believe his eyes.

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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

The rich man came to his father’s village to visit his mother, whom he hadn’t seen for 16 years. But upon seeing an unfamiliar woman by the gate, he was left speechless.

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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

Son, just don’t get angry: I kicked your girl out, and your brother moved into the apartment — the mother declared brazenly.

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— 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

— Now vacate my apartment! — Vadim demanded from his ex-wife’s husband, holding his daughter close

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— 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

A former doctor got a job as a nurse after serving time. One day she entered the ward of a wealthy patient and noticed signs of an illness that were very familiar to her.

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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

You’ve taken my son away from me, but you won’t get his inheritance! Get out of the house!” — shouted the mother-in-law, barely restraining her rage.

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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