Marina had known for a long time there was no point hoping—they would come. They always did. For Gennady Petrovich and Zinaida Ivanovna, the New Year holidays worked like a magnet, pulling them toward their son’s city apartment with relentless force. “Zhenya,” she called to her husband, who was dozing peacefully in front of the … Read more
“Since you signed the apartment over to my sister, then go live with her. You’re not stepping foot in my home,” Katya told her parents. “Katya, sweetheart… we have some news…” Her mother’s voice in the receiver was deliberately cheerful, even almost sing-song. That forced brightness made Katya’s stomach twist. She knew instantly she wouldn’t … Read more
Olga was standing by the window with a cup of tea that had already gone cold, studying the May sky, when the front door swung open. She frowned—ten o’clock on a Saturday, and they weren’t expecting anyone. In the entryway she spotted a familiar silhouette in a beige trench coat. “Good morning, Olenka!” Alla Viktorovna … Read more
Natalia’s morning began the way it always did: coffee, a sandwich eaten on the run, and a rapid-fire sweep through the apartment with a cleaning rag. The kitchen already smelled pleasantly of fresh brew and cleanliness when a voice floated out of her husband Andrey’s bedroom. “Nata… don’t freak out, okay?” His tone was as … Read more
Svetlana felt like the happiest woman in the world. In just one year, her life had changed beyond recognition. A year ago, she lived with her aunt, who turned her into a slave. The aunt did nothing around the house or garden, only to come in from the street and flop onto the couch. Sveta … Read more
Yana was climbing the stairs with a bag of groceries in her hands. The workday had been exhausting—she wanted nothing more than to get home, take a shower, and sink onto the couch. She unlocked the door and stopped dead on the threshold. Voices floated in from the kitchen. Igor—and his daughter, Anya. Yana quietly … Read more
Alice stood in front of the mirror, adjusting the curls she’d spent ages perfecting. Her sea-green dress hugged her figure with effortless elegance, and her makeup was flawless—she’d booked a professional artist on purpose, even though she usually did it herself. Tonight had to be perfect. It simply had to. “You’re breathtaking,” Ilya murmured, wrapping … Read more
Lord, he’s screaming again. It’s been the third night already… “Quiet, darling, quiet. They will hear us.” The old apartment greeted me with the smell of lavender and antiquities. A typical museum of the Soviet era—carpets on the walls, crystal in the cabinet, and photographs, photographs, photographs. Honestly, I was a bit intimidated as I … Read more
The apartment came to Yekaterina from her grandmother—three rooms on the fourth floor of a panel apartment block, with wide windows and a view of the park. Her grandmother died quietly, in her sleep, leaving her granddaughter her only treasure. Yekaterina entered into the inheritance six months later, as required, and became the lawful owner … Read more
Alina closed the bedroom door behind her and leaned against it with her back. Her head was splitting after yet another scandal. Three years of marriage had turned into an endless chain of fights, resentments, and icy silence. Sergey was sitting in the kitchen, furiously typing something on his phone. Probably complaining to his mother … Read more