The guilt that had once been easy to ignore now consumed him

Ivan always considered himself a man who knew what he wanted. His life seemed meticulously planned: a successful career, stability, a family. But somewhere, deep inside, dissatisfaction smoldered. He had convinced himself that true happiness was a pursuit of new emotions, of passions that should burn brightly like a flame, not smolder quietly within the … Read more

“No,” Miroslava’s voice remained steady. “You’re the one giving in. And that’s the whole difference.”

Elena Pavlovna slammed the kitchen cabinet door shut, her face twisted in frustration. “Shampoo costing eight hundred rubles?! What is this, golden soap? Do you even understand how much money that is? If you want such luxury—buy it with your own salary!” Miroslava, still standing at the sink and rinsing the dishes after dinner, which, … Read more

Lidiya Sergeevna, her face glowing with happiness, turned to them with a satisfied smile

Lidiya Sergeevna was twisting the glossy brochure of the restaurant “Goldfish” in her hands, her eyes wide with excitement as she examined the photos of luxurious dishes and glamorous interiors. Seventy years old was a monumental milestone, and such an anniversary deserved to be celebrated in style, she thought. The grandeur of the occasion deserved … Read more

Dr. Havel leaned forward, brow furrowed, and murmured almost to himself, “It must be just a reflex.”

At the Saint Thorn Medical Center’s maternity unit, an uncommon scene unfolded. Although the delivery followed all standard protocols without complication, no fewer than twelve physicians, three senior nurses, and two pediatric cardiologists gathered around. Their presence wasn’t due to any known medical threat; rather, it was the intriguing results on the scans that drew … Read more

Lighting a cigarette and drawing in a nervous breath, the doctor turned to his assistant, Viktor — a young but fatigued order nurse.

After a grueling shift, the weary doctor stretched until his joints clicked and, stifling a yawn, slowly approached the window. Outside, the season’s inaugural snowflakes drifted gently, lingering in midair before descending quietly to the ground. The outside world appeared transformed — serene and almost enchanted — yet the hospital buzzed with its usual relentless … Read more