The veil of hearts

•shadows of helsinki•

38
//•••~~~~•••~~~~•••//

"You're sure you'll be alright?" Joshua asked, helping Aina gather the last of her personal items from the hospital room. The afternoon sunlight slanted through the blinds, casting stripes across the freshly made bed.

"Professor Joshua, I've been cleared by three different specialists, including you," Aina replied with a patient smile. "I'm perfectly capable of returning to my apartment and my studies."

Joshua nodded, though concern still etched his features. Two weeks of observation had revealed no physiological cause for her memory episodes, but the mystery remained. "Remember, the discharge is conditional on you continuing our weekly cognitive assessments."

"Tuesdays at four," she confirmed, slinging her bag over her shoulder. "Though you'll have to wait until you're back from Italy."

"Right," Joshua said, glancing at his watch. His flight to Milan departed in five hours. "The International Neurological Research Conference. Dr. Whitaker and I are presenting our findings on post-traumatic memory recovery techniques."

Aina paused at the door. "Well, good luck with your presentation." She tilted her head curiously. "Though I have to ask—why are you suddenly interested in neurology? You are into cardio. It seems like quite a shift from your usual research."

The question caught Joshua slightly off-guard. It was perceptive—he had indeed made a recent shift in his research focus.

"Medicine is interconnected," he replied carefully. "I've been exploring the relationship between cardiac function and neurological symptoms—particularly how cardiovascular events can impact memory formation and retention." He kept his tone casual, not wanting to reveal that her case had been the catalyst for this new direction.

"Convenient timing," Aina observed with a slight smile. "Just when a patient with mysterious memory issues lands in your cardiology ward."

Joshua maintained his professional demeanor despite her astute observation. "Scientific curiosity knows no boundaries, Ms. Yilmaz. Plus, it never hurts to expand one's expertise."

Aina studied him for a moment longer, then nodded. "Well, cardiology's loss is neurology's gain, I suppose. Bring me back some Italian chocolate."

Joshua smiled. "I'll see what I can do."

///

Three days later, Joshua stood in the grand foyer of Milan's Centro Congressi, nursing an espresso as researchers and physicians from around the world networked around him. His presentation with Dr. Whitaker on cardiovascular impacts on memory formation had gone well that morning, generating significant interest from the European medical community.

"I'm going to the cardiac imaging panel," Dr. Whitaker said, checking her program. "Coming?"

"I'll catch up," Joshua replied. "Need to review my notes for the roundtable discussion."

As his colleague departed, Joshua found a quiet corner to collect his thoughts. The conference had been beneficial professionally, but he couldn't shake his concern for Aina. Each night, he'd found himself reviewing her case notes, searching for connections he might have missed.

He was so absorbed in thought that he almost missed the man passing by—tall, with distinctive Nordic features and piercing blue eyes. Joshua straightened, recognition jolting through him.

Aleksi Nordstrom. Here in Milan.

The Finnish businessman was engaged in intense conversation with an older researcher Joshua didn't recognize. Without thinking, Joshua moved closer, positioning himself behind a display of medical equipment where he could overhear their exchange.