Chapter 578 She Wants to Return to Ocean City (2)
After the check-up, Mark just gave her some meds for her headaches.
Nathan walked her out of the hospital.
Trying to cheer her up, Nathan suggested, "How about you skip the lab today? Let's take Colt and Cordelia to the zoo. They've been begging to go for a week now."
"Mr. Howard."
Jessica cut him off, apologetically saying, "Colt and Cordelia are always taking up your time. I'll talk to them about it."
Nathan sensed her hesitation and decided to be direct. "Do you really not get it, or are you just pretending? After all these years, you must know my feelings for you go beyond just being your teacher."
Jessica avoided his eyes and whispered, "Right now, I just want to focus on my research and finish our current project. If this drug's clinical trials succeed, it could save a lot of kids with congenital heart disease."
"Don't use that as an excuse."
Nathan turned her to face him.
"Work is work, and love is love. They don't have to clash. How many scientists have stayed single just for their research?"
Jessica felt cornered.
In truth, she wasn't clueless; she had been deliberately avoiding the issue.
Under Nathan's questioning, Jessica said dejectedly, "Mr. Howard, I've never thought about us being anything other than teacher and student. I've always respected you, and I don't know what it would be like if we were anything else."
Nathan, hearing that she hadn't completely shut him down, felt a glimmer of hope. "Why don't we give it a shot? Dating isn't the same as getting married. If you really think we're not right for each other, I'll respect your decision. You can walk away anytime, and I won't push you. Deal?"
Jessica looked at Nathan. He was charming and talented, only about ten years older than her.
To many, Nathan was the epitome of a young, successful man, the ideal son-in-law in the eyes of many parents.
But Jessica just couldn't see him as a romantic partner. Whenever she looked at him, she instinctively saw him as her teacher.
Nathan gently took her hand and softly said, "Jessica, can you stop calling me 'teacher' in private? Just call me by my name. It would make me feel closer to you."
Jessica remained silent, hesitating.
She pulled her hand away from his, her eyes serious. "Mr. Howard, do you really not mind that I'm a divorced woman with two kids? Sometimes I wonder what kind of person Cordelia and Colt's father was. When I was with him, was it love? Why do I feel like I've never experienced love in my memories?"
This barrage of questions made Nathan's heart race.
Seeing her troubled by her lost memories, he wished he could tell her everything, including her past with the Evans family in Ocean City and her history with James.
But he was too afraid that Jessica might rekindle her feelings for James.
Selfishly, he kept her past a secret, wanting her to stay by his side.
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