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

I said after a

“For what?

14:29 Tue, Oct 21

Chapter 197

:

65 vouchers

me here. For taking the time to do tourist things even when you’d probably rather be

my own. “I’d rather be

at the sincerity in his voice. “Careful, Mr. Carter. That

we need to be romantic

“Right. Practice.”

it wasn’t entirely practice. And the way my

in the ancient civilizations wing where Alexander pointed out details I would

close to point. “That’s from centuries of people touching it in the exact same spot. All those hands, all that history condensed into one

actually beautiful,” I admitted. “And slightly depressing when you

are.”

“Getting philosophical again?”

permanence makes you

fingers interlacing with my own. “Then we should

surprisingly

contain multitudes,” he said with

had started its descent toward the horizon, painting London’s sky in

as we

culture worked

Authentic British pub

“Lead the way.”

with historic buildings, the city transitioning from business hours

chose was tucked away on a side street, its exterior covered in dark wood and etched glass. The sign above the

14:29 Tue, Oct 21

Chapter 197

warm a

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

found a corner

place

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

Comments ()

0/255