— Irina, all your attempts are in vain,” said Tamara Petrovna, watching as the young woman braided her hair before the start of the workday. “— What exactly are you talking about?” Irina turned to the elderly nurse who had been working in the hospital for several decades. “— About your hopes for something serious.” […]
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— This is our son! — Anna jumped as if struck by an electric shock. — Are you blind? Don’t you see something’s wrong with him? — Ivan recoiled from the crib as if bitten by a poisonous snake. The room, redolent of sterility and baby formula, suddenly shrank to the size of a coffin. […]
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— Are you waiting for someone? — her voice sounded even, without a trace of excitement. Taras looked up, and his face showed neither surprise nor confusion. He simply smiled. — You, of course. — Me? — Olesya felt as if the ground were slipping from under her feet. — Or, perhaps, Zhanna? — All […]
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— Yulia, I’ve prepared a surprise for you! — said the mother-in-law with a strange and slightly frightening tone. — I know you love surprises! You’re definitely going to like this one! Yulia looked skeptically at her husband’s inexplicably cheerful mother, who was also oddly dressed—in a white medical coat and bright, multicolored polka-dot trousers. […]
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When my relatives didn’t come to my wedding, I immediately understood why. People, for whom their own needs were far more important than the joy for a loved one, thought they were showing pride, but I knew that in reality it was envy and selfishness. Even though I am only 21, at this age I […]
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Marina unlocked her apartment door with her key, entered, and switched on the light in the hallway. The first thing that caught her eye was a pair of red women’s shoes standing in the hallway. She recognized them immediately—they were the shoes… That morning at work, Marina had felt unwell. A sudden wave of nausea […]
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Without me, you’re nothing but empty space, Anna. Remember that well,» Igor said as he threw the last piece of clothing into the suitcase and slammed the zipper shut. His words sliced through the dim apartment like a cold blade. Anna stood in the doorway, her fists clenched until it hurt. She remained silent—not out […]
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Despite the scheduled intercity bus not being due to arrive for at least an hour—or even an hour and a half, in case it got held up by one of the perennial village problems—a lively group had already gathered at the bus stop. The conversation began with the weather, as it so often does in […]
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— Maria, how did this happen? — the woman sighed, looking at her daughter with worry. — Mom, everything’s fine, honestly, — Maria replied calmly. — I’m on vacation, so I can work there for a month, maybe even longer. The main thing is to figure out where the quotas disappear to and how the […]
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Anna once again ran her hand over the polished surface of the table, even though it already shone with impeccable cleanliness. The clock showed four—guests would arrive in two hours. Again, her husband’s guests. She caught her reflection in the gleaming surface of the sideboard—a haggard face, hair hastily gathered in a messy bun. When […]
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