005

EVELYN’S POV

“You believe this virus could become a global emergency within two months?”

Dr. Adrian Hayes stared at me across the conference table, concern and disbelief written across his face.

“I believe the risk is significant enough that we shouldn’t wait until it’s too late to prepare,” I replied. “If we’re wrong, we’ll have spent time investigating an emerging illness. If we’re right and do nothing, thousands of lives could be lost.”

Adrian leaned back in his chair. “That’s a fair argument, but we still need evidence before the hospital will commit resources.”

“I know. That’s why I want to present our preliminary findings to the research committee. We don’t need to claim we’ve solved anything. We need to show them why this deserves further investigation.”

“And if they refuse?”

“Then we find another way.”

He studied me for a moment before smiling faintly.

“You’ve changed, Evelyn. You used to worry so much about whether people would take your ideas seriously.”

“I’ve realised that being right means nothing if you don’t act on it.”

I couldn't afford to hesitate. I had already seen what happened when people ignored the warning signs. I wasn't going to stand by and watch history repeat itself.

Adrian nodded. “Then let’s get you in front of that committee.”

By the following afternoon, we had secured a meeting with the hospital’s medical research committee.

I arrived early with my research files and presentation ready. Despite my determination, a flicker of anxiety passed through me when I entered the conference room.

Dr. Samuel Bennett, the head of research, sat at the centre of the table. Several senior doctors and laboratory specialists occupied the seats around him, their expressions ranging from polite curiosity to outright scepticism.

Dr. Bennett glanced at his watch.

“You requested this meeting because you believe an emerging respiratory illness presents a significant threat?”

“Yes, sir.”

“And you believe you’ve identified a possible preventive treatment?”

“A preliminary candidate for further investigation,” I clarified. “We haven't established its safety or effectiveness. Our findings only suggest a possible approach worth examining through properly designed studies.”

One of the specialists nodded approvingly.

“At least you understand the distinction.”

I connected my laptop to the presentation screen and began.

I outlined the reported cases, the symptoms observed in affected patients, and the gaps in the available data. I explained why the inconsistencies concerned us and why early investigation could give medical teams a better chance of responding effectively.

Adrian supplemented my presentation with observations from his own findings, strengthening our case for further research.

For the first time since my rebirth, I wasn't fighting to earn someone's affection or prove myself to people who had already decided I wasn't good enough.

I was doing something that mattered.

When I finished, Dr. Bennett folded his hands on the table.

“Your concerns are understandable, Doctor, but your proposed treatment remains theoretical. What makes you believe it could work?”

“Our preliminary analysis suggests an approach worth exploring. We need verified samples, laboratory access, and the resources to investigate it properly. If the results support our hypothesis, we can consider the next stages of development.”

“So you haven't developed a preventive medication?”

“Not a proven one, no.”

The committee members exchanged glances.

I continued before they could dismiss us.

“My concern is that waiting until the infection becomes widespread could leave us with too little time to respond. We have an opportunity to investigate this now, while the reported cases are still limited.”

“And if your approach fails?”

“Then we'll document the results and investigate other possibilities.”

“And if it succeeds?”

“Then we may have taken an important step toward preventing a much larger crisis.”

Silence followed.

I knew we had no guarantee of success. We were asking the hospital to invest in a threat that many people still considered insignificant. But uncertainty wasn't a reason to ignore the possibility of danger.

It was a reason to investigate.

After a brief discussion among the committee members, Dr. Bennett turned back to us.

“We're prepared to authorise limited preliminary research, subject to the necessary safety and ethical approvals. You'll document every stage of the process, and no treatment will be administered to patients without the required evidence and authorisation.”

Relief washed through me.

“Thank you, sir.”

“Don't thank us yet. You've convinced us that the question deserves investigation. Now you must show us that your research can produce meaningful results.”

“I intend to.”

The meeting ended with a list of conditions, additional documents to submit, and a provisional research schedule.

It wasn't a breakthrough, but it was a start.

As Adrian and I left the conference room, he glanced at me.

“That went better than expected.”

“I thought Dr. Bennett was going to reject the proposal halfway through.”

“He nearly did.” He grinned. “But you handled his questions well. You didn't exaggerate our findings, and you didn't back down when he challenged you.”

“Because I know what's at stake.”

His smile softened.

“I know. And I believe you.”

I stopped walking.

For a moment, I couldn't find the words to respond.

In my previous life, Adrian had believed in me when everyone else had turned away. He had trusted my judgment and helped me pursue the truth, even when doing so cost him everything.

“Evelyn?” he called gently.

I blinked and composed myself. “I'm fine. I just didn't realise how much I needed someone to say that.”

“You don't have to do everything alone, you know.”

I looked at him, fighting the urge to tell him everything.

I wanted him to understand why I was so determined to protect him, why every moment with him felt like a gift I had no intention of taking for granted.

But I couldn't explain a future he hadn't lived through.

Instead, I managed a small smile.

“I'll try to remember that.”

My phone vibrated before he could respond.

An email notification appeared on the screen.

REQUEST FOR COMMENT: YOUR RECENT VIRAL PREVENTION RESEARCH

I opened it. A journalist from a medical news outlet had heard about our presentation and wanted to interview me about the emerging illness and our preliminary findings.

I frowned.

“How did they hear about this already?”

“Someone must have mentioned the meeting,” Adrian replied. “News travels quickly when people think something interesting is happening.”

An interview could draw attention to our research and encourage other medical professionals to investigate the emerging threat. It could also bring unwanted scrutiny before I had secured everything properly.

Worse, the public might mistake a preliminary research proposal for a proven treatment.

After considering the risks, I accepted the interview, making it clear that I would discuss our concerns and the need for further investigation without making unsupported claims.

Adrian glanced at my screen.

“Are you sure you're ready for this?”

“No,” I admitted. “But I think it's important.”

~~~~~~~

I carried a folder containing the information I was authorised to discuss. Adrian accompanied me, ready to provide additional context if needed.

The journalist, Rachel Morgan, greeted us before switching on her recording equipment.

“Dr. Evelyn, thank you for joining us. Your presentation has attracted attention because you've warned that an emerging respiratory illness could become a much larger public health concern. What makes you so worried?”

I explained the concerning patterns in the available reports, the gaps in our understanding, and the importance of investigating possible preventive measures before the situation worsened.

Rachel listened carefully before asking her next question.

“Some people are already talking about a breakthrough medication being developed by another research team. Do you believe your work could compete with theirs?”

I immediately understood where she was going.

Vanessa.

Her name hadn't been mentioned, but I knew exactly which research team Rachel meant.

I kept my expression neutral.

“Medical research shouldn't be treated as a competition. If another team develops an effective treatment, that would be welcome news. Our responsibility is to examine the evidence and determine whether our approach can contribute to preventing or managing the illness.”

“Have you discovered a cure?”

“No. We've identified a potential preventive approach that requires further investigation. Until we've completed the necessary studies, we cannot make claims about its effectiveness.”

Rachel nodded. She smiled before moving on to questions about public health preparedness and the need for cooperation between research institutions.

When the interview ended, I felt lighter.

I hadn't promised a miracle or claimed to have all the answers. I had simply made my concerns public and given our research a chance to receive the attention it needed.

For now, that was enough.

As Adrian and I left the building, my phone began vibrating repeatedly.

The interview had already been published.

I opened the article and stared at the headline.

DOCTOR WARNS OF POTENTIAL VIRAL CRISIS AS RESEARCHERS INVESTIGATE PREVENTIVE TREATMENT

Beneath it was my photograph.

Then a message from Daniel appeared.

I just saw your interview. What exactly are you trying to prove?

Another message followed before I could respond.

Don't embarrass yourself by making claims you can't support. Vanessa is already working on the medication everyone is talking about. Stop trying to compete with her.

I stared at the screen, almost amused.

Even now, he believed everything I did revolved around Vanessa.

I could have reminded him that I had my own research, my own career, and my own reasons for pursuing this work. But explaining myself to Daniel had never changed anything.

I deleted the messages and slipped my phone into my bag.

“Everything all right?” Adrian asked.

“Perfectly.”

He gave me a curious look but didn't press.

We continued toward the car, discussing the next stage of our research.

We had secured preliminary approval, gained access to the resources needed to begin our investigation, and drawn public attention to the emerging threat. There was still much to do, but at least we were moving forward.

Then the Medical Evolution System appeared before me.

[MISSION COMPLETED: Establish a Research Partnership.]

[Reward: 150 System Points.]

[NEW MISSION UNLOCKED: PREPARE FOR THE FIRST WAVE.]

[WARNING: Viral activity is increasing.]

I stopped walking.

Another notification appeared.

[Estimated time until significant outbreak escalation: 54 days.]

Fifty-four days.

My stomach tightened as I stared at the countdown.

I had hoped that securing the research and gaining institutional support would give us enough time to prepare. But seeing the deadline made the situation feel more immediate.

The world was still going about its business, unaware of what was coming. Hospitals were treating isolated cases, researchers were studying scattered reports, and most people had no reason to believe their lives were about to change.

Adrian was beside me, talking about our research schedule, completely unaware of the warning hovering in front of me.

I looked at him and forced myself to breathe.

Just when I turned to say something, Vanessa's voice yelled loudly from a corner and we turned.

“Doctor Evelyn, You stole my formula!.”

In a moment, the parking lot was filled with reporters from different angles.