Chapter 71

Natasha could only sigh and rub her forehead at Xavier's response. But when she looked back down at her book, her thoughts refused to settle. Zachary's explanation kept echoing in her mind. She felt conflicted. He'd asked her to be his girlfriend not that long ago, and now he was acting so distant, so cold. Then, she caught herself. "Why do I even care how he feels about me?" she thought, irritated. Forcing the entire conversation out of her mind, she tried to focus on her book again. The wind picked up as the ferry changed directions, sweeping across the deck. Natasha stood by the railing, the sea breeze brushing her cheeks with a faint, salty sting. She took a deep breath, feeling the gentle sway of the ship beneath her feet. A mix of anticipation and nervousness bubbled in her chest. This was her first time attending such a prestigious academic conference. She'd prepared thoroughly but still felt anxious about facing some of the top minds in the medical field. "Don't stress