Elena raised a glass of champagne, smiling at her friend Olga. The birthday party was a success—about twenty people had gathered at the café, laughter never stopped, and for the first time in months she felt like just a woman, not only the mother of one-year-old Yulia. — To your happiness! — she said, just […]
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Maxim gripped his ticket and looked at the familiar station. Three years away from home, three years of hard work in the logging camps—all for this moment. In his backpack were gifts for his mother and his sister Tatyana, and in his pocket—the cherished ring for Irina. “Maxim? Is that really you?” He turned and […]
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“I’ve decided—I’m going to my mother’s on Saturday. For about three months, probably.” The words fell onto the table between the plate of fried potatoes and the salad. They fell lightly, casually, like bread crumbs. Artyom said them without looking up from his food, carefully spearing a golden piece of chicken with his fork. For […]
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The door to the auto shop squeaked obnoxiously. The smell of gasoline and motor oil hit my nose—the scent of my past, the one I’d been running from for so long. In the middle of the bay, beneath a Ford hanging on chains, stood him. Sergei. My ex-husband. The same as ever—in a greasy coverall, […]
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Lidia’s wrinkled fingers clutched a mug of tea that had long since gone cold. Thirty-two years of marriage, over three thousand dinners shared, countless shirts ironed and folded — and now she sat alone in their kitchen, where every inch whispered memories of a life once built together. “I don’t understand, Vitya…” Her voice quivered, […]
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For a long time, I lived in denial. I told myself nothing had changed — same routine, same life — that all of it was just a bad dream. I refused to believe Sergey had truly betrayed me. And not just a meaningless fling, but a full-blown affair. With her. The woman who now worked […]
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Natalya was awakened by the persistent ringing of her mobile phone. It was still dark outside; the alarm clock showed it was just eight minutes into August — Monday morning. Next to her, Vitaly groaned in annoyance and yanked the pillow over his head, trying to muffle the irritating sound. “Hello?..” Natalya’s voice trembled, groggy […]
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“Welcome! I’m your husband’s mistress.” Katerina set aside the catalog layouts she was reviewing and looked intently at the glamorous red-haired beauty who had appeared at the door of her office. The visitor smirked and continued: “I bring unpleasant news—I’m pregnant. Naturally, by your husband.” “How original,” Katerina replied with a faint smile. “Would you […]
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You really ought to dress better, Mom,” Kristina drawled, lazily poking at her avocado salad with a fork. “Dima and I could give you some money. Just so you wouldn’t look so… depressing. People do look, you know.” Anna slowly raised her gaze—not at her daughter-in-law, but at her son. Dima tensed up. The hand […]
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“I’m pregnant,” I said, and a smile spread across my face on its own. Kirill, standing by the window, froze. He didn’t even turn around, but I saw his shoulders tense in the reflection. I expected hugs, joyful shouting—anything but this strange, frozen posture. “I am too,” came Lena’s quiet voice. My sister stepped out […]
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