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That desperate cry rang out over the glassy surface of the river and then died away, almost unheard and uncomprehended, swallowed by heat thick as honey.

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“Don’t touch me! Let me go! Don’t!” That desperate cry rang out over the river’s smooth surface and died away—heard by almost no one, understood by no one—swallowed up by heat thick as honey. The languid, exhausting swelter pressed the grasses to the ground, silenced the birds, and muffled sound itself, as if brushing aside … Read more

You wanted to relax at my expense, but I’m not going to rescue you from there!” — the daughter-in-law taught her husband and mother-in-law a lesson for their greed

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Lena was standing by the hallway mirror, adjusting her new haircut, when she heard a familiar clearing of the throat behind her. Sergey appeared in the doorway wearing the expression she had learned to recognize without fail — a mix of reproach and barely concealed indignation. “How much did that cost?” he asked bluntly, nodding … Read more

The husband forgot to end the call. The wife overheard his conversation with his mother and filed for divorce the very same day.

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Anna closed the last report and leaned back in her chair. The job of a financial director in her father’s family business required constant attention. At thirty-two, she had already achieved a lot. “Dad, I’m home,” Anna peeked into her father’s office. “We’ll discuss the new investments tomorrow.” “Of course, darling,” her father looked up … Read more

— Oh, is that how it is? What I earn is OURS, but what you earn is YOURS? Darling, haven’t you gotten a bit too cheeky?

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“Oksana, we need to talk. Seriously.” His voice, stripped of its usual evening relaxation, made her stop chopping vegetables. The knife froze halfway through a crunchy celery stalk. Oksana threw a quick glance at her husband over her shoulder. Vadim was leaning against the doorframe, looking as if he was preparing not for dinner, but … Read more

At 70, I realized that the scariest thing isn’t an empty apartment, but a house full of people who don’t need you.

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“You bought the wrong bread again,” my daughter-in-law Katya’s voice grated on my ears as I was unpacking the bags in the kitchen. “I asked for yeast-free. I’ve asked you five times.” She deliberately took the loaf I brought and spun it in her hands as if it were some exotic and poisonous caterpillar. “Katya, … Read more

— While we’re relaxing at your dacha, you should send your wife with the kids to her mother’s, so she doesn’t disturb our rest!” — the friends declared to the owner of the property.

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“While we’re relaxing at your dacha, you should send your wife with the kids to her mother’s so she doesn’t bother us!” — the friends told the owner of the plot. Friday evening had come. The roof of Ivan’s country house shimmered with the sunset’s reflections, creating a cozy atmosphere on the young homeowner’s countryside … Read more

— So you’re from the village? We thought you were a city girl. Well then, wait a minute, I have a special drink for you for the celebration, you’ll definitely like it!” declared Mark Ivanych and ran off to the pantry, jingling bottles.

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— So you’re from the village? We thought you were a city girl. Well then, wait up, I have a special drink for you for the celebration—you’ll definitely like it! — said Mark Ivanych and ran off to the pantry, jingling bottles. — What’s that? — Tatiana didn’t quite understand all the fuss from Ivanych, … Read more

“Mom, why are you interfering in my family? You broke up your son with his wife, you broke up my brother, and now you’ve come for me?!” the daughter protested to her mother, jabbing trembling fingers at her phone.

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At exactly 11:00, all the relatives were seated at the table of the frail, 90-year-old grandmother, who could barely take care of herself. She didn’t even quite realize what day it was or why she had been seated at the table with a shot of wine poured for her. All she really wanted was to … Read more

The devil stirred in Nikolai’s ribs when he was past fifty. He’d always been a womanizer, and nothing in life ever got in the way of that. Not his wife, not his three children. Kolya had always loved women—so much that it made him tremble.

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Lida, startled, dropped the glass jar she was washing. The jar shattered on the floor, scattering shards everywhere, and Zoya squealed, crouching down in fright. “Quiet, girls! No scandals in my house! You both carry my children, so carry them!”   Grandma Manya had come in from the yard, catching the scene in full swing. … Read more