— 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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Kirill watched as droplets slowly fell from the IV drip. It seemed to him that along with them, his life force, determination, and resilience were seeping away. Just a little more—and he would simply close his eyes so that he would never wake up again. That was exactly how he felt: completely drained and exhausted. […]
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You’re talentless,» he threw the words in front of everyone. It was then that I realized for the first time: talent is not only a gift but also a courage—a courage to remain oneself when others try to break you. Anna cautiously ran a rag over the surface of the old grand piano, recently moved […]
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I can’t live like this anymore,» Sergey’s words sounded like thunder out of a clear sky. Nastya froze with an unwashed plate in her hands, unable to believe her ears. Ten years of marriage crumbled like a house of cards from one short phrase. «What do you mean—can’t live?» Her voice trembled, though she was […]
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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” […]
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— Your project is doomed to failure, Olya!” Serёga sat at the table in my kitchen, devouring a cabbage pie and laughing so loudly that crumbs flew in every direction. “Do you really believe that anyone in our town will buy your candles? Our grandmothers at the market pay three rubles for matches, and here […]
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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. […]
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— Glory to You, Lord! It has arrived!” The grandmother panted heavily, yet her face shone with genuine happiness. Gently, she caressed her grandson’s face with her dry hands before resting them on the blanket. “— You, Grandma, rest a bit,” pleaded Yurka. “Tomorrow is a whole day ahead – we’ll talk till our hearts […]
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