Chapter 197

Olivia

Alexander was quiet for a moment. When he spoke, his voice was thoughtful. “What kind of legacy do you want to leave?

The question caught me off guard. “I don’t know. I’ve never really thought about it in those terms.”

“Think about it now.”

I considered his question, my eyes still on the illuminated manuscript. “Something that matters, I guess. Something that helps people or makes the world slightly better.”

“That’s admirably vague.”

I elbowed him gently. “What about you? What’s your legacy going to be? Carter Enterprises expanding into new markets?

“That’s my grandfather’s legacy, not mine.” He paused. “I’m still figuring out what mine will be.”

There was something vulnerable in his admission, a crack in his usual confidence. I turned to face him, surprised by the contemplative expression on his face.

“We have time to figure it out,” I said, not entirely sure why I’d said “we” instead of “you.”

Alexander’s eyes met mine, something unreadable passing between us. The moment stretched, charged with an intensity that had nothing to do with ancient artifacts.

“Should we see the reading room?” he asked finally, breaking the spell.

“Definitely. Lead the way.”

The reading room was breathtaking, a circular space with towering bookshelves and a magnificent domed ceiling. Natural light filtered through windows high above, casting everything in a warm glow.

“This is gorgeous,” I whispered, spinning slowly to take it all in.

“No shouting in the British Library,” Alexander teased.

“I’m whispering!”

“Barely.”

We found a quiet corner and sat on one of the benches, simply enjoying the space. Other visitors moved quietly around us, their footsteps muffled on the polished floors.

“Thank

you

after a few

“For what?

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Chapter 197

:

65 vouchers

to do tourist things even when you’d

mine, his fingers interlacing with my own. “I’d rather be here with you than anywhere else

caught at the sincerity in his voice.

practicing for when we need to

“Right. Practice.”

me suggested it wasn’t entirely practice. And the way

civilizations wing where Alexander pointed out details I would have missed on my

the weathering pattern on that column?” he said, leaning close to point. “That’s from centuries of people touching it

admitted. “And slightly depressing

are.”

“Getting philosophical again?”

this permanence makes you realize how fleeting everything else

mine, his fingers interlacing with my own. “Then we should make the most of our

was surprisingly deep

multitudes,” he said with mock

left the museum, the sun had started its descent toward the horizon, painting London’s sky in shades of orange and

Alexander asked as we stepped

that culture

nearby. Authentic

“Lead the way.”

through narrow streets lined with historic buildings, the city transitioning from business hours to evening leisure. People spilled out of offices, heading

a side street, its exterior covered in dark wood and etched glass. The sign above the door read “The Crown and

14:29 Tue, Oct 21

Chapter 197

warm a

walls, and the bar was lined with brass fixtures that had been polished to a dull shine. The scent of

we found a corner table. “Supposedly Shakespeare drank here, but every pub in London claims

it. This place looks

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