“You insult me behind my back and then ask me for money?” — My relatives had no idea I’d overheard their conversation
The Successful Woman No One Truly Saw Marina had always been proud of what she’d built.At forty-two, she was the head of the marketing department in a large...
The Husband Who Humiliated His Wife in Front of Everyone — and Regretted It Three Days Later
The laughter of guests filled the spacious living room, the air shimmering with the pleasant clinking of crystal glasses and the aroma of roasted meat and sweet pastries....
THE MOTHER TEST
I. The Questions Begin “You billed me for a party I didn’t even attend?” — no, that had been another woman’s story.Nika’s began with a glass of orange...
THE BILL FOR ABSENCE
I. The Letter Marina read the letter once—twice—then a third time, as if repetition could turn nonsense into sense. The notary’s stamped paper lay on the kitchen table...
THE TWO WEEKS
I. Night Visitor Lidia had just tucked Elsa in. The little girl’s breath evened, cheeks warm against the pillow, a plush bear lodged under her chin like a...
THE TEST OF MARINA
I. The Setup “Come in, Marina. Dinner needs to be cooked; the groceries are in a bag in the kitchen. The laundry’s in the basket. Dust the living...
THE SYSTEM ERROR
PART 1 I. The Gift “Knock yourself out, Vera Igorevna,”Stanislav said with his habitual smirk, handing her the flat, gleaming tablet.“At least you can hang out on Odnoklassniki...
The Day She Came Home Early
PART I — The Call The sanatorium’s corridors smelled of pine needles, antiseptic, and quiet. For the first time in months, Olga had begun to sleep. The massages...
AFTER THE DIVORCE
PART 1: AFTER THE DIVORCE For months after the divorce, I told myself everything was fine. I’d wake up, make coffee, scroll through emails, and go to work...
After Viktor
Viktor died on a gray, indifferent morning in early March.Outside, the city was still half-frozen, as if winter itself refused to let go. The streets were quiet, the...