Maybe this is a sign?” Maria muttered as she paused by the gate. Her gaze fell on a split apple lying on the ground, perfectly divided in two. Without speaking, Nikolai bent down and picked up both halves, offering one to his wife. His eyes conveyed a message far deeper than words could express. It … Read more
Every Sunday, I gathered at my sister Mia’s house with her husband Alex and their kids. The atmosphere was warm and welcoming, and I cherished the time we spent together, catching up on lost moments. But over the past few months, something strange had been happening. During these dinners, I couldn’t help but notice that … Read more
Mom, are you working the night shift again tonight?” Katya asked, her eyes searching her mother’s face for a hopeful answer. Marina smiled gently, brushing her daughter’s hand with affection. “Yes, sweetheart. You and Yura will be good while I’m gone, won’t you?” “Of course, Mom. But you never get any rest,” Katya replied, concern … Read more
One damp autumn evening, with thick clouds blotting out the sky and the world cloaked in gloomy shades of gray, I was making my way home after a draining day at work. Suddenly, through the roar of rain and the distant hum of traffic, I caught a sharp, piercing cry. It stood out from the … Read more
Alyona stood frozen by the sink, a half-washed plate paused mid-air as she listened to the sound of rain hammering against the windows. Their dog lingered at the door, trembling and whining softly. The atmosphere felt heavy and strange—as if reality itself had thickened into something unfamiliar. The front door creaked open, and Maria Nikitichna, … Read more
Wrapped in a worn-out coat—once his pride during his days as a maintenance supervisor—Nikolai Andreevich sat on a cold metal bench. A retired widower, father to a single son, and once convinced he was a happy grandfather, his world had shattered. When his son brought home Olga, Nikolai felt a chill deep inside. Her energy … 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
“Where are you going, Inna?” her husband asked, eyeing how carefully she folded her clothes into the travel bag — each item lined up perfectly, as if for display rather than packing. Precision was second nature to Inna. She had been the perfect wife: Leonid always left for work neat, clean, and wearing the same … 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
On my birthday, my daughter handed me an envelope with excitement. “Mom, you have to open this! You’ll love it!” she urged eagerly. I smiled politely. “You know I’m not a fan of money gifts. They always feel so impersonal.” “It’s not money,” she insisted. “You’ll see — it’s something special.” Curious, I opened the … Read more