They were expecting borscht or cutlets. She dropped a stack of documents onto the table so loudly that Aunt Elina’s fork slipped from her hand. In that moment, the familiar family script stopped existing. Irina stood by the table, straight as a string. She’d been preparing for this moment all evening—buttoned her blouse all the […]
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Where do you think you’re going? I told you, you’re staying home.” Dima stepped out of the kitchen into the narrow hallway and, getting two steps ahead of Lera, planted his broad palm against the doorjamb. His body completely blocked the way out. In the dim light of the single bulb his figure looked massive, […]
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And you still call yourself a homemaker,’” the mother-in-law sighed loudly. “When Dima was sick, everything in my place sparkled. Have you even picked up a rag once?” “Now is not the time for cleaning, the child’s temperature is almost forty.” “A fever is not the end of the world,” retorted Antonina Andreyevna. “Besides, you […]
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Just for a couple of hours, Dan, really!” Marina’s voice over the phone sounded both pleading and demanding. “It’s a rush job, you understand. And I really need the money right now…” Polina froze with her mug of coffee in her hands. The words printed on the porcelain — “My home is my castle” — […]
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Just for a couple of hours, Dan, really!” Marina’s voice over the phone sounded both pleading and demanding. “It’s a rush job, you understand. And I really need the money right now…” Polina froze with her mug of coffee in her hands. The words printed on the porcelain — “My home is my castle” — […]
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“Ilya’s mom and Lenka are coming on Friday. I’ve already bought their tickets,” Igor mentioned offhandedly, without taking his eyes off his phone as he lazily scrolled some feed. He was sitting at the kitchen table in a relaxed pose, one of those evenings when the world feels simple and predictable. Veronika, who was wiping […]
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“I didn’t choose you for passion. I needed a woman who would be normal. Home, order, children. No whims. You were a perfect fit—quiet, compliant. A nanny, free of charge and enthusiastic. And women for love—they’re different. They know how to live beautifully, don’t dump their problems on you, and look… well, definitely not like […]
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“Are you kidding me or what?” Sasha’s voice rang like a tight string. “I came home and you didn’t even make anything? Nothing, Katya!” Katya stood by the window, watching how the drizzle smeared the lights in the courtyard. Her fingers still smelled of medicine and adhesive bandages — during her shift at the infirmary […]
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“Here, Anya, take it. Just be careful out there, okay? Don’t speed,” Andrey said with a wide smile, handing his sister the car keys. “Thanks, big bro! You’re the best! I won’t be long, honestly! There and back, I’ll stay at my friend’s for a couple of days and bring it back,” Anya happily grabbed […]
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Nadya woke up that morning with a bad feeling. Ten years. A round number. A tin wedding anniversary—at least that’s what Wikipedia said. Though who the hell came up with those names anyway? Tin. As if it were something fragile, easy to melt. She lay there, staring at the ceiling, thinking: I need to get […]
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