I have played the final card. The thing I can at least say is that the matter is settled on my terms. (Although, I suppose, it probably isn't settled. I have a feeling that, until the day I die, and maybe even beyond then, I will not get to have the last word in any matter.)

You win some, you lose some. Hah. I wish. It's more like: get used to it, this is going to be a long, hard life.

I just wonder what possible transgression I'm being punished for in my past life, and is there just no mercy in this universe?

The only consolation is that, hopefully, I am getting better at correctly reading between the lines.