The day began like any other. I was sorting through a box of old photographs tucked away in the closet, preparing for our upcoming wedding anniversary—thirty years of marriage with Oleg. As I flipped through the faded pictures, one caught my eye: a snapshot from a college party, with me, Svetlana, and the girls celebrating … Read more
The clock was nearing noon when Ilya finally managed to call his beloved wife. “Yana, I’m alive and well. I’ll be home soon. There was an accident at the mine, but we’re just heading back to base now.” “Thank God, Ilya! I already called the dispatcher; he told me everything. I’m waiting for you.” Ilya’s … Read more
Marina stood by the window, watching the last guests settle into their cars. The festive lights in the yard illuminated their faces, still lively from the celebration of her mother-in-law’s seventieth birthday—a significant milestone that had brought the entire family together. And on this very day, Oleg decided to “joke.” “Well, what can I say? … Read more
You’ve only managed to earn enough for this rundown shack!” Those words echoed sharply in Zhenya’s mind all the way home. “What did you expect, Zhenya? A happy life? Well, congratulations—you got exactly what you deserved!” She dropped her heavy bags and sank onto an old tree stump. Everything had started so well… Or was … Read more
Alina gazed at the steady stream of cars flowing past. The city’s evening lights glittered all around, but they failed to lift her spirits. A chilly breeze slipped beneath her coat collar, a subtle reminder that autumn was on its way. “Should we just grab a cab instead?” Nikita glanced up from his phone, his … Read more
Two months. That’s how long I’d been away, caring for my mom after her surgery. Two endless, draining months of bland hospital food, uncomfortable naps in stiff chairs, and a constant knot of worry in my stomach. The only thing that kept me going was the thought of finally returning to my own apartment, my … Read more
The midwife whispered softly, wiping the sweat from Galina’s brow, “The baby’s almost here.” Galina clenched her jaw and gripped her mother’s hand tightly. A sharp wave of pain surged through her, yet she stayed silent, afraid to disturb the neighbor’s children sleeping nearby. “Viktor should’ve been back by now,” she managed to say in … Read more
At Lyceum No. 6’s cafeteria, the air always carried a strange blend of burnt pea soup and stale bread crumbs, mixed with the faint aroma of greasy meat patties. Long wooden tables clattered under the weight of trays, spoons tapped impatiently against glasses, and someone grumbled about the compote being sourer than usual. Amid the … Read more
Inna gazed out the window, raindrops weaving random trails across the glass. Seventeen years together — was that a lifetime or just a fleeting blink? Every moment, every smile, every disappointment — all etched in her mind. And now, it was all unraveling like a fragile tower of cards. “We need to talk,” Alexey’s voice … Read more
Inna stood by the window, watching raindrops race down the glass, tracing random paths like tiny rivers. Seventeen years together — was that a lifetime or just a fleeting moment? She recalled every shared day, every smile, every disappointment. And now, everything was falling apart like a fragile card tower. “We need to talk,” Alexey’s … Read more