Novels by Happiness stories

Elena's POVAdrian waited for my answer.The recovered file remained open on his laptop, displaying the photograph of Subject 001 and the warning about the original carrier. I could feel his attention fixed on me, waiting for an explanation I couldn't possibly give without exposing the truth about my second chance."I told you what I know," I replied. "I've followed the reports, just like other people. I don't know anything about your research facility.""Then explain why you looked at that photograph as if you'd seen a ghost.""I recognized her from an online report.""Which report?""I don't remember the website."Adrian leaned back in his chair. "You expect me to believe that?""I expect you to understand that not everyone who recognizes a face is involved in a military conspiracy."He studied me before returning his attention to the screen."Fair enough."His acceptance surprised me. I had expected another round of questions.Instead, he opened the medical report and examined the

Elena's POVThe first thing I noticed was the blood on Adrian's sleeve.The second was the way he kept checking the rearview mirror.He had barely spoken since we left my apartment building. The city outside his SUV looked nothing like the place I remembered. Cars were abandoned in the middle of the road, their doors hanging open. People ran past storefronts, shouting for help, while distant sirens filled the night.Somewhere behind us, glass shattered.I tightened my grip on my backpack.Three days.I had three days to prepare for this nightmare, yet the world was already falling apart before the deadline I remembered.Something had changed.And I had a terrible feeling that I was the reason."Where are you taking me?" I asked."Somewhere safe.""That's not an answer."Adrian glanced at me briefly. "Do you always interrogate people who save your life?""Only when they appear out of nowhere, know more about a deadly infection than the authorities, and refuse to explain anything."For

The pounding against my door grew louder.I stood several feet away, staring at the desk that was supposed to keep me safe. Each impact pushed it farther across the floor."Elena..."The voice came again.It sounded almost human.That was what frightened me most.I had heard the infected in my previous life. Their groans, screams, and strange noises had haunted my nightmares long after I learned to sleep through the sounds of people dying outside.But I had never heard one whisper my name.I forced myself to move.My phone was on the kitchen counter. I grabbed it and called emergency services, but the line wouldn't connect. I tried again, receiving the same automated message.The network was failing.Another crash shook the door.A crack appeared in the wooden frame.I couldn't stay here.I had spent the evening securing the apartment, believing the locked doors and windows would give me enough protection until morning. Now I was trapped inside a room with an entrance that might not h

The first scream came from the street below. The second came from the apartment next door. By the third, I was already dragging my desk against the front door. My hands shook as I pushed the heavy furniture into place. I knew a desk wouldn't stop an infected person determined to get inside, but I needed something between me and whatever was happening outside. My phone wouldn't stop vibrating. Messages flooded the neighborhood group chat. Someone reported an attack at a nearby bus stop. Another person claimed that a man had bitten a security guard outside a shopping center. A woman posted a video of several police officers struggling to restrain a bloodied man who kept throwing himself at them. Then the messages became more disturbing. Don't go outside. Someone attacked my brother. The hospital isn't accepting patients anymore. Why are people biting each other? What is happening? I stared at the screen. In my previous life, these were the messages that had marked the beginni

By the time I returned to my apartment, the sun was beginning to set. My feet hurt, my shoulders ached, and my mind was crowded with things I needed to do. I had secured a house, but I hadn't signed the tenancy agreement or confirmed when I could move in. My supplies were still sitting in the back of a delivery van, waiting to be transported. I had planned to spend the evening organizing everything. Instead, I found a message from Daniel waiting on my phone. Daniel: We need to talk. Call me when you get home. I deleted the notification without replying. There were more important things to worry about than a man who believed my money belonged to him. I was about to call the property agent when another notification appeared. BREAKING NEWS: SECOND VIOLENT INCIDENT REPORTED AT A PRIVATE MEDICAL FACILITY. My stomach tightened. I opened the article. A patient had attacked two security officers before escaping from a treatment room. According to witnesses, the man had been sufferi

The first thing I did was check the news.The hospital incident had already attracted hundreds of comments. Some people blamed drugs, while others claimed the patient had a mental illness. A few witnesses insisted that something was wrong with him, but nobody seemed willing to take their words seriously.I knew better.In my previous life, I had watched the infection spread from one hospital to another. At first, the authorities insisted everything was under control. By the time they admitted otherwise, people were already dying in the streets.I closed the article and opened my banking application.My savings balance appeared on the screen.₦3,850,000.I stared at the figure for a moment.That money represented years of careful saving, sacrifices, and plans for my future. Before the apocalypse, I had intended to use part of it for my wedding and keep the rest for emergencies.Daniel had always encouraged me to save, although he somehow never had enough money whenever an important exp

Mich sat quietly after his PA left, staring at the documents spread across the table.His uncle's name kept appearing in places it shouldn't. There wasn't enough evidence to prove anything yet, but Mich had a strong feeling that he was getting closer to the truth.He rubbed his forehead and leaned back against the couch.Lily, I wish I could tell you everything, but I can't. Not now. If you find out too much, you'll be dragged into this mess with me.He glanced toward the door.I just hope that one day, you'll understand and forgive me.A knock interrupted his thoughts.Emma, the housekeeper, stepped inside.“Sir, you called for me?”“Yes.” Mich closed the folder. “I want you to order some food from a good restaurant. Something delicious. Lily will be back soon, and I want her to have something nice to eat.”Emma smiled. “Has Madam told you what she likes?”“Not really.” He paused, thinking. “Just order a few different dishes. Don't get too much, though. She might complain that we've

The next morning, Lily woke up earlier than usual.She had an interview that morning, and she didn't want to be late.After freshening up, she quickly changed into something simple and presentable. She checked herself in the mirror, adjusted her hair, and picked up her bag.Then she remembered Mich.She couldn't leave without making breakfast.Lily went downstairs and headed straight to the kitchen. She was still preparing the food when she heard someone behind her.She turned around and found Mich already sitting in the dining hall.“Good morning,” she greeted.“Morning,” Mich replied.Lily looked at him. “You woke up early.”“I've been waiting for you.”“For me?”“Yes. I was getting hungry.”She laughed. “You could have called me.”“I thought you'd be busy.”“I was.”“Exactly.”Lily shook her head and brought the breakfast to the table.They ate together.After a few minutes, Mich noticed she kept checking the time.“You're nervous.”“A little.”“About the interview?”“Yes.”“You'll

Lily sat quietly on the balcony, staring at the evening sky.Her laptop was open in front of her, but she hadn't read a single word on the screen for the past ten minutes.She couldn't concentrate.Her mind kept returning to one thought.Her marriage.She had spent the past few days thinking about everything that had happened.She hadn't chosen Mich.Mich hadn't chosen her.Their families had made the decision for them.But now that they were married, Lily didn't want to spend the rest of her life treating him like a stranger.She closed the laptop.When she returned to their room, Mich was sitting near the window, reading something on his phone.He looked up.“You're back.”“Yes.”Lily stood there for a moment.“Can we talk?”Mich immediately put his phone down.“Of course.”She walked over and sat across from him.“I've been thinking.”“About what?”“Us.”Mich remained quiet.Lily took a deep breath.“When our families arranged this marriage, neither of us had a choice.”He nodded.

Lily woke up early the next morning.For a few seconds, she stared at the unfamiliar ceiling before remembering where she was.She was in the Ethan family's home.She was married.And today, she had something important to do.Find a job.Lily got out of bed and glanced toward Mich.He was still asleep.She quietly left the room and went downstairs.The housekeeper was already preparing breakfast.“Good morning, madam.”“Good morning.”Lily smiled politely.“Where is the kitchen?”The housekeeper looked surprised.“The kitchen?”“Yes. I want to prepare breakfast.”“You don't need to do that. The cook will prepare everything.”“I know, but I want to.”The housekeeper hesitated before showing her the kitchen.Lily tied her hair back and began preparing breakfast.She wasn't an excellent cook, but she knew enough to make something simple.By the time she finished, Mich had already come downstairs.He stopped when he saw her.“You're awake early.”Lily turned around.“Good morning.”“Good

The first night of their marriage passed quietly.Lily woke before dawn.For a moment, she forgot where she was.Then she remembered.She was married.She turned her head toward Mich's side of the room.The bed was empty.Her eyes widened.She quickly sat up.“Mich?”There was no answer.Lily got out of bed and walked toward the sitting area.She found him there, sitting in his wheelchair near the window.He was already dressed.“Why are you awake so early?”Mich turned around.“I couldn't sleep.”Lily looked at him suspiciously.“You should have called me.”“I didn't want to wake you.”She frowned.“You're supposed to wake me if you need anything.”Mich smiled.“I'll remember that.”Lily walked toward him.“Have you eaten?”“Not yet.”She sighed.“Then wait here. I'll make something.”“You don't have to.”“I know.”Mich laughed quietly.Lily headed toward the kitchen.She had barely taken a few steps when his phone rang.Mich glanced at the screen.His expression changed slightly.“I

The reception was louder than Lily expected.Music filled the hall as guests moved between tables, laughing and congratulating the newly married couples.Lily stood beside Mich, smiling whenever someone approached them.But inside, she felt exhausted.She had barely eaten anything since morning.Every few minutes, someone came to greet Mich, but most conversations lasted only a few seconds.Some people looked at him with pity.Others tried not to look at his wheelchair at all.Lily noticed everything.One elderly man approached them with his wife.“Congratulations, young man.”“Thank you,” Mich replied politely.The man looked at Lily.“You must be a very patient woman.”Lily forced a smile.Before she could answer, Mich spoke.“She is.”The man laughed awkwardly.“Well, you will need plenty of patience.”Lily's smile disappeared.Mich didn't respond.The couple eventually walked away.Lily looked down at him.“Does that happen often?”Mich looked at her.“What?”“People talking about