“Now the apartment is for three!” declared Valentina Petrovna, rolling a large suitcase on wheels into the hallway. “You’re mistaken, it’s for one,” I replied, staring at my mother-in-law wide-eyed. But she was already taking off her coat and hanging it on my coat rack as if she had lived here all her life. Igor … Read more
No one ever took Agafya under their wing. And who needed her — so unfinished? Her face was okay, even considered rather pretty, but she didn’t grow tall — just a little over a meter. And most importantly — she was skinny like a willow branch. Thin, almost childlike figure — what kind of housewife … Read more
After the divorce from her husband and the division of the apartment, Ksenia had to settle almost on the outskirts of the city. She got a two-room apartment that had hardly ever been renovated. At least, that was Ksenia’s first impression. But she was one of those women who aren’t scared of anything—hardened by family … Read more
A call from my mother caught me while I was working on reports at the office. She never called during work hours—she knew I was busy. Her voice sounded uncertain, as if she herself didn’t quite know what to ask. “Anyuta, I have a delicate matter to discuss with you…” I put down my pen … Read more
In the very heart of a cozy, warm restaurant, decorated with the soft glow of candles and the aroma of fresh pastries, a meeting full of unexpected turns took place. That evening, Alina, a beautiful, confident woman and owner of a chain of upscale restaurants, was sitting at one of the tables, enjoying the moment. … Read more
A Life Devoted to Saving Others: The Journey of a Surgeon Whose Heart Was Stronger Than Betrayal From childhood, fate led Alexander along a path paved with white coats, sterile operating rooms, and heavy decisions on which lives depended. He did not just become a surgeon — he became a legend in his field. Dozens, … Read more
Larisa was sitting in the kitchen as usual—in a tank top, with stretched-out knees on her pants, staring at her phone. She wasn’t scrolling or zoning out, just looking at it like it was an icon. There was a zero blinking, then a three, then a bunch more zeros… three million. Real money. In her … Read more
Nadya did not know what it was like to feel the warm touch of a mother’s hand, to hear her father’s laughter, to see eyes reflecting love. Her childhood did not begin with a lullaby, but with the cold walls of an orphanage, where every day was like the one before — monotonous, devoid of … Read more
Gennady was sitting at his desk, sorting through reports on quarterly results. The numbers demanded attention, but his concentration kept slipping away—there was too much piled up at work. He picked up the next folder when Veronika entered the room. “Gena, can I have a minute?” she asked, stopping at the doorway. “Of course,” he … Read more
Ah, you insolent brat!” Irina Viktorovna shouted loudly and fiercely, frowning angrily. Her hand swiftly lashed out at Natasha’s head, and a sharp slap rang out across the table like a gunshot. Taken by surprise, Natasha flinched and dropped her spoon onto the plate. A wave of bitterness and anger instantly overwhelmed her — this … Read more