My dad is dying. He wants to reconcile. But I...

My dad is dying. He wants to reconcile. But I remember who he was when he was strong. When he hit me. When he screamed. When he made me feel worthless. When he chose drinking over us. Now he's weak. Sick. Scared. And he wants forgiveness. Wants peace. Wants to die guilt-free. But his timing is about him. Not me. He had decades to apologize. Why wait until death's door? I'm allowed to protect myself. Even now. Even from a dying man. Self-preservation isn't cruelty.