I stared at the screen as another message appeared right beneath it.

*Do not make a mistake you cannot undo.*

My grip tightened on the edge of the desk as the office phone on my wall began to ring, the sharp, shrill sound piercing the quiet room.

I stared at the ringing wall phone, the red light blinking in the darkness of my office.

I let it ring five times before I reached out and lifted the receiver.

“Elizabeth,” Uncle Michael’s voice said, dry and devoid of warmth.

“It is three in the morning, Michael,” I said, my voice flat.

“You made a grave error tonight,” he said.

“Patricia assaulted me in my own home,” I replied, my fingers tightening on the plastic handset.

“She has a cut on her forehead and bruises on her wrists, Elizabeth.”

“From when I had to defend myself,” I said.

“That is not how the police will see it, and that is not how the board will see it,” he said, then the line went dead.

I stood there in the quiet office, the dial tone buzzing in my ear.