The clink of crystal shattered the silence of the kitchen. Marina slowly lowered her hands into the sink, feeling the shards of the glass—gifted on their twentieth wedding anniversary—pierce the pads of her fingers. “Are you ready to go?” Her voice sounded unusually even, as if it belonged to someone else. Vladimir stood frozen in … Read more
Anya absolutely did not understand why they needed this man in the house. She had always wanted her mother to get married and to be happy, but not with him. The girl sat on the couch, pretending to read a book, while half-listening to Arthur. He had only recently woken up and now, slowly and … Read more
My husband decided to take a time-out; he was tired of the family and the relationship. While he was resting, I found myself. He didn’t call even once. Didn’t check if there was food for our son or me, didn’t ask if I could at least pay the utility bills for the month he still … Read more
— Misha, tell your wife to turn the music down, — his sister Marina’s voice barely hid her irritation. — Mom’s got a headache because of your… well, how do you call it… avant-garde. I lowered the volume. Not because Marina asked me to, but because of my mother-in-law, who was already pressing a finger … Read more
Grigory nervously paced around his spacious room, furnished with tasteless, aggressive luxury — the kind he adored and his wife Marina despised. But now the interior was deeply indifferent to him. A scheme kept spinning in his mind — a perfect plan, as he thought, capable of making him the sole and complete owner of … Read more
Karina ran her finger over the smooth surface of the keys to their new apartment. The shiny metal reflected the evening light coming through the window of the real estate agency. The wedding was in three days, and she was preparing the most important surprise of her life. “Congratulations on the purchase,” the realtor smiled, … Read more
How much longer, Nastya?” Vitaly grimaced, staring at the macaroni and cheese. “Every day it’s the same. Pasta, buckwheat, pasta again. I’m sick of looking at it.” Anastasia placed another portion on his plate and gently patted his shoulder. “Vitalik, just a little longer. Next month my salary will be reviewed.” Vitaly irritably jerked his … Read more
Ruslan sat opposite the elderly woman, staring intently at her face, as if hoping to find a clue or justification for his actions. But in her eyes, he saw only silent, calm observation — the gaze of a person who had lived a life not without bitterness, but with dignity. And at that moment, Ruslan … Read more
Sergey stood by the window, mechanically fiddling with a bundle of keys. The apartment, which had once seemed cramped for four, now felt oppressive with emptiness. Three days ago, Galina took the children and left. She just left, without shouting or hysterics, as if that was how it should be. Only a note on the … Read more
I sat in the kitchen, mechanically stirring tea that had long since cooled. The old clock on the wall ticked away, its steady sound a monotonous reminder—it’s been a month since I’ve been alone. A month since Viktor packed his things and left. Left her. Left Larisa from the third floor. —Galya, understand, it’s better … Read more