"I'm leaving London, and he can't accept it."
"So?" he asked.
"I've thought about it for a long time, and the only thing I can do is ask you for help."
Looking at the tender, fresh green shoots sprouting on the hillside, Sophie gathered her courage and said to Archibald, "I want to ask you to help me put on an act…"
The next day, Sophie was packing up her apartment. She planned to donate anything still usable and store only the important items in a small safety deposit box.
By two o'clock in the afternoon, Sophie's luggage was almost completely sorted. Most things had been categorized, and the important items barely filled one small bag. Just as she finished packing, the doorbell suddenly rang.
"Who is it?"
"Open the door."
Hearing Ned's voice, Sophie hesitated for a moment before opening it.
As soon as he came in, he handed her an envelope first, then walked into the living room, sat down, took off his coat, and tossed it aside—as casually as if he were in his own home.
