I shook my head, sorrow and disappointment flooding through me. “You had your chance, David. You had a lifetime of them. But when you chose to stand by as Vanessa tried to end my life, you made your decision.”

As they stood there, struggling to comprehend the gravity of their actions, I felt a strange sense of peace. I had fought battles all my life, and this was just another one. But it was time they learned that I was not a pawn in their game.

“Leave,” I ordered quietly. “Leave before I call the police. Consider this your only warning.”