So, the surgery is necessary?” Konstantin looked at his wife. Ulyana was clearly agitated and couldn’t make a decision. On one hand, the situation required urgent action; on the other, she was afraid to leave her husband and mother-in-law. “Maybe we should postpone it? At least for a month?” “You know I got a quota. … Read more
Returning from work, Marina witnessed a young man trying to snatch a woman’s purse. He was subdued and taken to the police station. There, she gave a statement and was soon released, asked to stay in town to later testify in court as a witness. Finally, Marina crossed the threshold of her apartment. For a … Read more
If grandstanding could be turned into electricity, my husband would be powering a small metropolis right now. Stas invited everyone over “for a simple Saturday dinner”—said he missed them, wanted a warm family get-together. And I actually bought it: I set the table, put the main dish out, lined up the plates. Then I understood … Read more
Irina stood at the kitchen window, watching October leaves whirl in the air before dropping onto the wet asphalt. Ten-year-old Katya was fussing with her homework at the table, glancing at her mother now and then in the hope of getting help with math. “Mom, how do I solve this one?” the girl asked, … Read more
Olga woke up early, when dawn was only beginning to wash the sky outside. February twenty-sixth. Her birthday. Twenty-eight. It should have been a reason to celebrate, yet a strange unease had settled in her chest and wouldn’t let her breathe freely. Maksim was snoring beside her, sprawled across half of their narrow bed. Olga … Read more
The spoonful of soup froze halfway to Pavel Yegorovich’s mouth. Lidiya Semyonovna slowly set the bread box down on the table, and a crust of dark rye slipped from her fingers. Artyom felt the blood drain from his face. “You’ve got a pretty good place,” Marfa repeated, taking in the cramped dining area of … Read more
“Veronica—what, you haven’t eaten in a week?” Asya gasped, watching her cousin wipe a plate of potatoes and cutlets clean. “Pretty much,” Veronica said brightly, not even looking up from her food. “There’s no meat at home. So I’m making the most of it.” The café near the station buzzed with its usual soundtrack—cups … 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 … Read more
The key squealed as it turned in the lock, and the door swung inward with a heavy drag. Ekaterina almost floated into the hallway, tossing her bag—stuffed with folders—onto the small cabinet by the door. A whole day on her feet, endless reports, eyes aching from a glowing screen… all of that stayed outside. … Read more
The call came late at night, while Vera was sorting through paperwork in her home office. Beyond the panoramic window, the city glittered—thousands of lights, each one like a small triumph over darkness. She didn’t answer right away. She knew the number by heart, even though it hadn’t appeared on her screen in more than … Read more