The MILKMAID was late for her flight — flying on vacation for the first time in her life, when suddenly an expensive car pulled up nearby.

On Monday, the spacious, sunlit office of the agricultural company buzzed like an agitated beehive. The final meeting was taking place, but most people were already lost in their own thoughts. Suddenly, the director—a sturdy man in his fifties named Vitaly Semyonovich, always impeccably dressed in a neat plaid shirt—raised his hand, calling for silence. … Read more

Nina could not understand why her meetings with her former mother-in-law had become so frequent. She couldn’t write it off as mere coincidence.

Nina could not understand why her encounters with her former mother-in-law had become so frequent. She couldn’t just write it off as coincidence. Tamara Viktorovna seemed to be stalking her. Their first meeting happened a week ago. The woman herself approached her former daughter-in-law on the street when Nina was leaving the office and heading … Read more

— Get out of here, you’ve already overstayed your welcome! — the homeowner snapped at the audacious guest.

“Zhenya, why are you lying in front of the TV again? Is there really nothing else to do? Just lying there, rubbing your belly, you lazybones,” Margarita Lvovna said in her usual manner. What lazybones? It’s Sunday today, you know? Can’t I at least peacefully lie down on my rightful day off without being disturbed? … Read more

“Oh, what a summer house you built — spacious, bright, so cozy! We should come stay with you for the summer, Petya and I, for a couple of months to rest,” declared the mother-in-law on the day of the housewarming.

— What is this even?! — Karina exclaimed, unable to hide her irritation, standing in the middle of the living room. Her voice trembled with outrage. She looked around the room, as if hoping to find an answer to her question among the furniture or walls. — Again?! The third time this month! How much … Read more

— How come you didn’t pay? What? Why? — Svetlana looked surprised from the bathroom, where she was hand-washing her daughter’s clothes.

— What do you mean you didn’t pay? What? Why? — Svetlana looked surprised from the bathroom, where she was hand-washing her daughter’s clothes. The child needed to go to kindergarten, clean clothes had run out, and, as if on purpose, the washing machine had broken down. And there was simply no money to fix … Read more

Feeling sorry for her mother-in-law, the daughter-in-law hosted a reception for the freeloading relatives, after which they forgot the way to their house for a long time.

Spring in the garden is especially wonderful. The apple trees are in bloom, the birds are singing, and the air is so fresh it takes your breath away. You hear the buzzing of bees, breathe deeply — and realize: living outside the city is a great blessing. Especially when it’s only twenty minutes to the … Read more

The ex-husband called Alina dull and invisible when he left her. But two years later, seeing her at the entrance to a café, he paled with jealousy and frustration.

Alina sat on the couch, leaning back comfortably against the soft pillows. The room was filled with a ringing silence, occasionally broken by the monotonous drip of water leaking from the kitchen faucet. Outside the window, the sky was slowly darkening—as if some invisible hand was gradually turning off the lights in the world. The … Read more

Mom, are you serious? I’ve already sent out the invitations! The restaurant is waiting for payment!

— Mom, are you serious? I’ve already sent out the invitations! The restaurant is waiting for payment! My wedding is in two weeks! You can’t let me down! — Kira couldn’t believe that her mother’s words were not a nightmare or a prank. — Darling, I understand… — No, you don’t understand! — Kira shouted, … Read more

— So you actually decided to have a baby without a husband? Aren’t you ashamed, Mom? — Lisa said disapprovingly.

Right after graduation, Liza submitted her university application. She was confident she would get in — her Unified State Exam scores were high, even above the average passing score from last year. The summer turned out to be hot. A friend suggested spending a couple of weeks in Gelendzhik at her aunt’s place. The thought … Read more