Part 1Biohazard: The Christmas Betrayal

On Christmas Eve, my husband wanted a thrill. He snuck his childhood sweetheart into my high-security research lab for a tryst, using my credentials to override the locks.

She went rogue, touching things she shouldn't have, and smashed a vital piece of containment equipment.

The result? A catastrophic virus leak. Seventy-two researchers trapped inside, infected, and left to die.

But when the dust settled, everyone pointed the finger at me.

My husband, Mark, stood tall on the moral high ground. "Even though you’re my wife, Sarah, I can't protect you. How could I face my dead colleagues? They were brilliant minds, patriots!"

His mistress, Chloe, chimed in with a tearful plea. "Sarah, making a mistake at work isn't shameful, but this is seventy-two lives! You have to turn yourself in. Stop running from responsibility."

I tried to explain, but I was drowned out. The furious families of the victims surrounded me. I felt the cold steel of a knife, once, twice... over twenty times.

As I lay dying on the cold floor, my vision fading, I heard Mark whisper to Chloe:

"Good thing I used Sarah’s badge to get you in. Since it’s her login, she takes the fall."

Then, darkness.

When I opened my eyes, I was back in my office. It was the morning of Christmas Eve. Chloe had just broken into the lab.

* * *

"Sarah! How can you just sit there drinking coffee? Do you realize you’ve killed everyone in the containment wing?!"

My husband, Mark, kicked open my office door. He stormed in, launching immediately into a tirade.

My colleagues jumped, exchanging bewildered glances.

"The containment wing? Killed who?"

I sat perfectly still in my ergonomic chair, taking a slow sip from my mug. "I’ve been sitting here all morning. I haven't stepped foot near the labs. What does any of this have to do with me?"

"You're still lying!" Mark screamed, veins bulging in his neck. "You tampered with the equipment! You caused a malfunction that led to a Level 4 leak! The whole building is contaminated!"

It was the exact same script as before. I laughed internally.

In my past life, Mark cheated on me with Chloe. To spice up their affair, he gave her my clearance badge. She broke a centrifuge, triggered a leak, and they framed me.

Last time, the moment I heard "virus leak," I panicked. I ran to the lab, desperate to help. My anxiety looked like guilt.

This time, I was the calmest person in the room.

"A virus leak? If it’s that serious, why aren't you initiating lockdown protocols instead of screaming at me? Seems like you care more about pinning blame than saving our colleagues."

Mark choked on his words. His face flushed a deep, ugly red.

"Don't change the subject! The access logs show only you entered the lab this morning. Who else could it be?"

He found his footing again, pivoting to attack.

"You're the culprit. You should be down there fixing this, not hiding in here while they die!"

He lunged forward, grabbing my wrist to drag me out. "Come with me to the main lobby. You need to answer for what you’ve done!"

My colleagues were getting restless. The accusation was too serious to ignore.

I yanked my hand back. His grip left a red welt on my skin.

"I can walk," I said coldly. "I’ll go. Not to confess, but to prove I didn't do a damn thing."

Mark sneered. "Still stubborn? Wait until you see the families."

We arrived at the lobby of the Science Complex. A crowd had already gathered. Chloe was there, blending in with the terrified staff.

When I appeared, the atmosphere shifted. Dozens of eyes locked onto me. They had already been told I was the "Patient Zero" of this disaster.

Someone spoke, voice trembling. "Sarah... did you really cause the leak? Is that why the hazard signs are up?"

I looked at the yellow tape blocking the corridor: BIOHAZARD. DO NOT ENTER.

"I didn't cause the leak," I said loud enough for everyone to hear. "But I did put up the sign."

Mark’s eyes flickered with surprise, but he covered it quickly. "See? She admits she put up the sign! If you're innocent, why seal the area? You're trying to cover up your mistake by burying everyone inside! You're trying to silence the witnesses!"