Anya Didn’t Even Notice When New Tenants Moved Into The Apartment Of Old Baba Katya, Who Had Passed Away. Anya didn’t even notice when new tenants moved into the apartment of old Baba Katya, who had passed away. She simply bumped into them one morning on the landing. She was locking her door when the … Read more
The call from my aunt caught me in the middle of the workday, tearing me out of the monotonous drone of the office, where time dripped like an old, leaking faucet. I was sitting at my desk flipping through reports when suddenly my phone—usually silent as a coffin—vibrated with such persistence, as if trying … Read more
Nina was sorting laundry in the basket, automatically separating light from dark, when Andrey peeked into the bathroom. Her husband’s face looked guilty, like a schoolboy who had forgotten his homework. “Nina, I’ve got a bit of bad news,” he began, leaning against the doorframe. “They’ve delayed our salaries again at work. We definitely won’t … Read more
Svetlana stood in the middle of the room. Her three-room apartment. Years of hardship and saving. All her efforts had finally paid off. — Daughter, why are you just standing there? — her mother entered with a bucket and mop. — Let’s start cleaning before your father brings the wallpaper. — Mom, I just… — … Read more
Igor sat in his office, immersed in a heavy, almost physically tangible silence. It seemed even the clock on the wall was afraid to mark the time — its hands frozen, as if unwilling to break the silent grief hanging in the air. He stared at a single spot, the corner of the expensive dark … Read more
— You’re still sitting at home? Seriously, Vika? — Igor theatrically raised an eyebrow, lifting his wine glass. — Startup, startup… Seven years after university, and you’re still stuck in your “promising projects.” Vika felt as if the table had moved away from her. Her parents’ apartment, the festive dinner, the smell of homemade dishes … Read more
Evgeny Vasilyevich slowly descended the steps of the courthouse, his heart heavy with sorrow. Every step felt like a burden, as if he literally carried the weight of defeat upon himself. He had lost the case — everything was gone: his reputation, his medical license, and along with them, the future he had built over … Read more
“Mom, we’ve been thinking,” my son Oleg began cautiously, barely stepping across the threshold. His wife Anya, standing behind him, nodded vigorously, as if to confirm the wisdom of his every word. She carried into the hallway the scent of expensive perfume — and a sickly-sweet hint of unease. “That always ends badly,” I muttered … Read more
Anna lay on the bed, staring at the ceiling, trying to calm her racing heartbeat. Just a few minutes ago, she had experienced one of the most terrifying moments of her life — a conflict with her own husband, Alexander, and his mother, Olga Petrovna. Their little daughter Sonya was sleeping peacefully in her crib, … Read more
Late evening wrapped the kitchen in thick darkness, as if the walls had absorbed all the sounds and light. The air was so dense and tense that Igor was afraid even to take a deeper breath. He looked at Svetlana — the woman he had lived with for ten years, loving and trusting — and … Read more