Vera couldn’t take her eyes off the “Operatsionnaya” sign. The letters blurred before her eyes from the long hours of waiting, and her heart pounded wildly. Vera continuously fidgeted with her beloved toy car—a red plastic tractor with a bucket, the cherished toy of her four-year-old younger son, Vanechka. Of course, Vanechka had originally wanted … Read more
Marina looked at Viktor Sergeevich, and her heart filled with the familiar feeling of bitterness. Her attitude toward this man had remained unchanged — cold and filled with the realization of his true nature. Once, in a past life, she had been the mentor of this aspiring doctor. Even then, it was clear that he … Read more
— Why are you talking to me like that, Tanya? — Galina Yevgenyevna asked sharply, though her voice betrayed her agitation. — Mom, how do you think I should talk? I’m not living at a resort here, I’m working day and night to achieve something. And where have you all been all these years? — … Read more
— Grisha, I can’t understand why Mashka is even in charge of that dacha?» Lyudmila shouted at her husband. «You’re just as much an heir as she is! After all, your late grandmother was also your relative! So what? We renovated the dacha at our own expense. Why won’t they let us in?!» Maria returned … Read more
Little Igor, sweetheart, darling!” a young woman exclaimed as she embraced him, leaning in to kiss his cheek. “Mom’s in trouble.” “Again,” Igor thought to himself, “I’m so sick of this,” he muttered. But, turning to his wife with merely a smile, he asked: “What is it this time?” “Mom needs to undergo rehabilitation. She … Read more
—And have you been with someone else for a long time?” Natasha asked, holding back tears. “Sweetheart, there’s nothing going on. You’ve misunderstood everything. You’ve drawn the wrong conclusions! There’s nothing, sweetheart!” Vadim mumbled, sounding frightened. And he really was scared. Ahead of him loomed the prospect of uncomfortable changes. It was one thing to … Read more
Lera scanned the kitchen with her eyes, pausing on the photograph attached to the fridge with a magnet. The picture was from last summer during her vacation, her smile before David came into her life. The morning sun was peeking through the blinds. The kitchen was her pride. Small, but carefully designed, with a functional … Read more
You will become the brightest star, the most talented of all. They will surely notice you, and your name will appear on all the posters.» Sophia cried, burying her face in the blanket that covered her father. His hand, weak but still warm, slid through her hair. «Don’t cry, my girl, please. You can’t fool … Read more
Tatiana had always been known for her punctuality. In particular, she could not allow herself to be late for her mother-in-law’s family celebration, especially on the day when Galina Petrovna, her husband Sergey’s mother, was celebrating her sixtieth birthday. Galina Petrovna was a woman of iron principles who considered punctuality a sign of good upbringing. … Read more
My Mother-in-Law’s Words My mother-in-law uttered those words between the “for the birthday girl” toast and the “for mutual support” toast, loudly and with a smile, as if she were talking about the weather. I froze, glass in hand. The guests were laughing; some were reaching to refill their glasses, others were serving themselves “Olivier” … Read more