Yes, the apartment is small, but it’s mine. And what do you have?” Galina asked her husband. “A car? Then go live in it.

  Galina stood in the middle of her tiny kitchen, where there was barely enough space for a table and two chairs. Her hands were trembling with anger, and tears glistened in her eyes, which she stubbornly held back. Kirill, her husband for the last three years, was leaning against the doorframe with the look […]

Продолжение...

One more time I hear from you that I’m a bad mother, and I’ll pack your bag with your things and send you off to your mommy! We’ll see how fast you run away from her…

  “Did you put salt in it? Mom says you mustn’t add any salt at all for children under one, it affects their kidneys.” Irina didn’t even turn her head. Her hand, holding the small spoon, froze halfway to the mouth of her son, sitting in the high chair. Silently, she returned the spoon to […]

Продолжение...

One more time you or your mommy say I’m wasting my time, I’ll burn all your fishing gear that you blow half your salary on! Do you hear me, Lyosha?! I’m the one feeding us with my ‘hobby’ while you sit on your backside in the office!

  — Again the whole apartment smells of vanilla; there’s no air to breathe,”—Raisa Pavlovna’s voice, sharp and dry like last year’s leaf, broke into the kitchen before she herself did, shattering the focused working atmosphere. Anya didn’t flinch. She only gripped the offset spatula a little tighter, continuing with surgical precision to smooth the […]

Продолжение...

Seven million? Perfect! We’ll buy Anton an apartment, and a one-room place will be enough for you!” my husband declared, without even asking my opinion.

  “Do you even realize this is betrayal?” Ivan’s voice was shaking, though he was trying to keep himself in check. Maria stood by the window, looking out at the yard where two girls were kicking a ball and laughing as if the whole world belonged to them. She was holding her phone and staying […]

Продолжение...

The relatives decided to celebrate the second day of my sister-in-law’s wedding at our place—I didn’t argue, but I greeted the guests in my own way.

  Lena woke up because the phone wouldn’t stop ringing. She reached for the nightstand and picked up the receiver. On the screen—her mother-in-law. “Good morning,” Lena’s voice was sleepy, hoarse.   “Lenochka, are you still not asleep?” the mother-in-law was brisk and cheerful. Far too cheerful for nine in the morning after last night. […]

Продолжение...

My mom will stay with us for a month,’ my husband announced on the eve of my due date. I quietly packed my things and left, and he didn’t even understand what had happened.

My parents are coming tomorrow to stay with us for a month to help with the baby,” my husband happily announced one evening, a week before my due date. He expected me to jump for joy. Instead, I silently packed my things and went to my mother’s, leaving him alone in our tiny apartment. He […]

Продолжение...

This is our house, what rights do you have here?” my mother-in-law jumped up when the notary refused to process the paperwork.

Nadezhda, dear, I asked you not to touch those documents!” my mother-in-law’s voice sounded unexpectedly sharp when I picked up the folder from the table. Svetlana Ivanovna was standing in the doorway of the study, and her usually friendly face twisted in an irritated grimace. She quickly walked over and literally snatched the folder out […]

Продолжение...