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

a few minutes of comfortable

“For what?

14:29 Tue, Oct 21

Chapter 197

:

65 vouchers

do tourist things even when you’d probably rather be

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

breath caught at the sincerity in his

when we need to be romantic

“Right. Practice.”

he looked at me suggested it wasn’t entirely practice.

hour wandering the museum, eventually finding ourselves in the ancient civilizations wing where Alexander

on that column?” he said, leaning close to point. “That’s from centuries of people touching it in the exact same spot. All those hands, all that history

depressing

are.”

“Getting philosophical again?”

to me. All this permanence makes you realize

found mine, his fingers interlacing with my own. “Then we should make the

was surprisingly deep

multitudes,” he said with

time we finally left the museum, the sun had started its descent toward the

Alexander asked as we

culture worked

nearby. Authentic British pub

“Lead the way.”

narrow streets lined with historic buildings, the city transitioning from business hours to evening leisure.

wood and etched glass. The sign above the door read “The Crown and Anchor” in faded

14:29 Tue, Oct 21

Chapter 197

warm a

with brass fixtures that had been polished to a dull shine. The

a

it. This place

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