Mom, are you home?” — Andrey’s voice sounded oddly muffled over the phone. “Yes, sweetheart. Has something happened?” — Elena sensed trouble at once. “May I come over?” “Of course, you don’t even have to ask. You’re scaring me.” “I’ll be there soon.” Pavel poked his head into the bedroom, where Elena stood motionless before the mirror, absently running […]
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Olga and Nikolai’s wedding was exactly the kind most girls dream of—grand and unforgettable. Guests danced to lively music, showered the newly‑weds with congratulations and wished them happiness. The bride shone in her white dress, gently holding her husband’s hand as he brushed a stray lock of hair from her face. Yet Olga couldn’t shake the […]
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Inessa checked the numbers in the spreadsheet for the hundredth time. Everything seemed to add up, but it was best to double‑check before the presentation—her boss loved nit‑picking. Presenting the quarterly report at a major bank was serious business; the figures had to be perfect. The clock showed eight in the evening—time to go home. […]
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Ksyusha, you won’t believe it! Mom’s decided to throw a huge birthday party!” Vitalya burst into the kitchen, waving his phone. “Fifty‑nine years old—quite a landmark!” Ksenia didn’t so much as lift her head from the laptop as she sorted through work documents. “What’s so surprising? She goes all‑out every year,” she said, sipping her tea. […]
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Kira froze in front of the door as if rooted to the spot. The key in the lock felt as painful as a splinter in her finger. Noises drifting from the apartment made one thing clear: someone was taking over. And that voice… of course it was her mother‑in‑law. Who else could it be? “Yurochka, […]
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Marina carefully placed the last shirt in Alexey’s suitcase. Over many years of marriage, packing her husband for business trips had become a special ritual she performed with great care. “Don’t forget the laptop adapter,” she reminded him as she zipped up the suitcase. Alexey glanced at his watch, clearly nervous. “Thanks, darling. It’s time— the […]
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I don’t print money!” Irina threw her purse onto the table and tiredly rubbed her temples. The cheap watch with its worn strap showed nearly eleven at night. Anatoly didn’t even lift his eyes from his phone. The bluish glow of the screen lit up his stubbly face. “Could you at least wash the dishes? […]
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— Nastenka, you surely haven’t eaten your fill—don’t make things up, — Elena Petrovna chuckled, setting a plate of pies in front of her daughter‑in‑law. — I still have some salad and cutlets; I’ll bring them out. Nastya drew a deep breath and pushed the plate aside. — No, thank you. I’m really not hungry anymore. Elena Petrovna pursed her lips and vanished […]
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Svetlana realized she wouldn’t be able to carry all her purchases by herself. The market day had been so successful that she hadn’t restrained herself and had bought a huge amount of fruit. The shopping was done—but how to get it all home? She’d have to take a taxi. Pushing through the crowd, she searched […]
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A cold October evening forever changed Arina’s life. She stood at the gate of what had once been her home, holding a hastily packed bag, while her mother‑in‑law’s shrill cry still echoed in her ears: “Out of my house! And don’t you ever set foot here again!” Ten years of marriage ended in a single […]
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