In 1980, a blind child was thrown into my life; I raised him as my own, but I never expected what would happen to him.

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— Who’s crying out there? Stepan, can you hear? In such dismal weather, someone is crying! — Probably it’s just the wind howling, Katyusha. What tears could there be on a night like this… I ran out onto the porch without even grabbing my scarf. The autumn rain whipped against my cheeks, yet I kept … Read more

My daughter sent me to a nursing home without even knowing that this building was mine. That’s when I decided to teach her a lesson.

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My name is Tamara Alexeyevna. I am seventy-four years old. I used to have a full life: a loving husband, a beloved job, a warm home, and three children. But ten years ago, my husband passed away—his heart couldn’t take it. After he left, the house became empty, and I became unwanted. The children started … Read more

Don’t come to dad’s anniversary, don’t spoil the celebration with your presence. It will be awkward in front of the guests,» my mother said.

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The phone rang just at the moment Ella was taking off her noise-cancelling headphones — sharp, piercing, as if someone suddenly threw open a window in a quiet room. “Hi, Ellochka,” Vera’s voice sounded too cheerful, with that very intonation behind which unpleasant words usually hide. “Listen, my mom and I were thinking… You know, … Read more

On our wedding anniversary, my husband put something in my glass. I decided to switch it with his sister’s glass.

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At the evening wedding anniversary, my husband solemnly raised his glass. I followed his example but suddenly noticed: he quietly slipped something into my glass. A cold, uneasy feeling clenched my stomach. I decided not to take any risks. When everyone was distracted, I carefully swapped my glass with the glass of his sister sitting … Read more

Having been released from the colony on parole, not knowing where to go, she took the wrong address—and spent the night in the house of complete strangers. That accident changed everything.

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Kristina took a deep breath — the warm air was filled with the scent of freedom. This was her second meeting with it. The second time she was going out into the world. And the second time she had to learn to live anew. She twisted her mouth into a crooked smile. «It’s okay, hardships … Read more

Natalia didn’t press the «end call» button after her conversation with her husband and accidentally overheard a girl’s voice near him.

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Natalia stared at the phone screen, unable to move. The red call-end button remained lit, and from the speaker came the muffled sound of a woman’s laughter. So young, carefree… nothing like her tired voice after a twelve-hour shift at the hospital. — Andrei, stop! — whispered an unfamiliar voice playfully. — We really need … Read more

The phone vibrated as if someone was trying to punch a hole in the table with it. I looked at the screen — “Mom.” The fourth missed call in half an hour.

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The phone vibrated as if someone was trying to punch a hole in the table with it. I looked at the screen — «Mom.» The fourth missed call in half an hour. Usually, she didn’t pressure me like this, unless she wanted to discuss how I had forgotten to congratulate our cousin aunt on her … Read more

She found a lost phone and returned it to its owner. But when he saw the pendant on her neck — he froze…

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— Aliska! — a loud, hoarse voice of the stepfather sounded from deep inside the apartment. “Awake,” the girl thought heavily. “Here it comes again…” Quickly looking around, she grabbed a hoodie, threw it over her shoulders, and ran out of the house into the yard. — Ali, where are you going? — came the … Read more

You spent all the money on your son, and now you want to live in my apartment?” — I asked my mother-in-law, who showed up at the doorstep with suitcases.

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Jangling keys in the lock, Margarita opened the apartment door. Voices came from the kitchen, and the now-familiar smell of borscht filled the hallway. Her heart beat faster, and her teeth involuntarily clenched. Again. Viktoria Pavlovna had shown up at her home without warning. “Olezhenka, what kind of pilaf is she cooking for you? That’s … Read more

Single father took in a widow with three children, gave them a roof over their heads. One shared tragedy no one could have foreseen.

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Thursday. Early December. The rain poured down in sheets, as if the heavens were weeping alongside the earth. Igor Sokolov was forty-two. He lived quietly, almost invisibly—alone, with his ten-year-old daughter Tamara. In their two-room apartment, laughter hadn’t been heard for a long time. Only footsteps, the ticking of the clock, and memories of Larisa—his … Read more