Warm May evening gently enveloped the city as if wrapping it in a delicate blanket. Ksenia settled on the balcony of their new country house, watching Artem fussing with the grill in the yard. Four-year-old Lera, trying her best to help her dad, handed him all sorts of little things, while six-year-old Maxim tirelessly chased … Read more
In one of the wards of an expensive private clinic, a young woman was quietly fading away. The doctors moved around her cautiously, as though afraid to disturb death itself. Periodically, they cast worried glances at the monitors, where the vital signs flickered weakly. It was clear to them: even the largest sums of money … Read more
— 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 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
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
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
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 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. 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
— 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