And I’m telling you, one time, to let them stay settled — because if you don’t, I will make sure that when this family looks at you, they see a liar, a troublemaker, a woman who came in here and tried to tear us apart out of spite.

I’ve done it before.

I am very good at it.

And David will believe me, because David always believes me.” He let that sit.

“Do we understand each other?” Every word went into my phone.

I lowered my eyes, and I let him read it as surrender, because a cornered man who thinks he has won stops being careful, and I needed him careless.

“Yes, Arthur,” I said quietly.