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 minutes of comfortable

“For what?

14:29 Tue, Oct 21

Chapter 197

:

65 vouchers

taking the time to do tourist things even

mine, his fingers interlacing with my own. “I’d rather

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

when we need to be

“Right. Practice.”

way he looked at me suggested it wasn’t entirely practice. And the way my heart

civilizations wing where Alexander

said, leaning 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 worn

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

are.”

“Getting philosophical again?”

permanence makes you

my own. “Then we should

surprisingly deep

multitudes,” he said

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

we stepped onto the

All that culture worked up an

Authentic British

“Lead the way.”

transitioning from business hours to

Alexander chose was tucked away on 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

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

since the 1700s,” Alexander said as we found a corner table. “Supposedly

place looks

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