Under Her Thumb

A Proposition and a Struggle

❤️‍🩹

Katherine arrived home earlier than usual, feeling the weight of the day in her bones. As she opened the door to her modest apartment, she was greeted by Ms. Sarah, the kind lady who had been babysitting Lizzie for months. Sarah sat in the living area, her hands clasped together, a worried look on her face.

"Ms. Sarah?" Katherine asked, putting down her bag and stepping forward. "Is everything alright?"

Ms. Sarah smiled faintly but looked down at her lap before meeting Katherine's gaze again. "Katherine, dear, I... I need to tell you something," she began, her voice shaky.

Katherine's stomach dropped, sensing the gravity of her words. "What is it?"

"I've been to the doctor recently. And they told me... well, I've been diagnosed with acute anemia. It's getting serious, and I need to step back from my duties," Ms. Sarah said, her voice quiet but steady.

Katherine froze, the news hitting her like a punch in the gut. "Oh, Ms. Sarah... I had no idea."

"I didn't want to burden you, dear, but I've been getting weaker, and I'm afraid I just can't keep up with Lizzie's needs anymore," Ms. Sarah continued. "I know how much she needs care, but I have to focus on my health now."

Katherine nodded, her throat tight. "Of course, you do. I completely understand." She forced a smile, despite the panic rising inside her. "You've done so much for us. Please, don't worry about it."

Ms. Sarah reached out and squeezed Katherine's hand. "You're a strong woman, Katherine. I know you'll find a way. But I'm so sorry."

They exchanged heartfelt goodbyes, and after Ms. Sarah left, the apartment felt emptier than before. Katherine stood in the middle of the living room, her mind racing. The reality of her situation began to crash down on her. How would she manage everything now? Between her exhausting work schedule, Lizzie's treatments, and now losing Ms. Sarah, the burden felt unbearable.

She sank onto the couch, her face falling into her hands. The tears came before she could stop them, hot and overwhelming. She tried to cry quietly, not wanting Lizzie to hear her from upstairs. But the weight of everything—the responsibility, the fear for Lizzie's health, the lack of support—was too much. She felt utterly alone.

Suddenly, a knock echoed from the door. Katherine wiped her face quickly, trying to compose herself before standing. As she approached the door, she took a deep breath and opened it, revealing Monica standing there, holding her jacket and purse.

"Katherine," Monica's voice was softer than usual, her sharp eyes immediately noticing the red rims of Katherine's eyes. "Were you crying?"

Katherine swallowed hard, trying to hide the emotion that still clung to her voice. "No... I'm fine. I wasn't expecting you."

Monica stepped inside without asking, her presence commanding the small space. "You don't have to pretend with me," she said, glancing around the apartment. "Something is wrong. Tell me."

Katherine sighed, her exhaustion making it hard to keep up her defenses. "It's just... everything. Ms. Sarah, the woman who watches Lizzie, she had to quit because of her health. And now, I don't know how I'm going to manage with Lizzie's care and work. I just... I don't know what to do."

Monica's face softened, but behind her eyes, a calculating glint flickered. She set her purse down and turned fully toward Katherine. "Katherine, I came here tonight with a proposition for you. It might be exactly what you need right now."

Katherine furrowed her brow, already feeling wary. "A proposition?"

"Yes," Monica said smoothly. "I want you to work for me full-time, including weekends. You'd move into my villa, where I can provide Lizzie with a personal nurse. You wouldn't have to worry about her care, and you'd be by my side at all times."

Katherine blinked, taking a step back. "What? Move into your villa? Monica, I can't just... drop everything and move in with you. That's... that's too much."

Monica's expression hardened just slightly, her charm cooling into something more controlled. "Katherine, think about it. This way, Lizzie would have professional care, and you wouldn't be stretched so thin. You'd be able to focus entirely on your work and still have peace of mind about her."

Katherine crossed her arms defensively, shaking her head. "But that's not a solution. I can't just uproot our lives like that. Lizzie's comfortable here, and... and it feels like you're trying to control everything. This is too intrusive."

Monica's eyes darkened at the word *intrusive*. "I'm offering you a way out of your problems, Katherine. You should be thanking me, not resisting."

"Thanking you?" Katherine scoffed, her frustration bubbling up. "You don't get it, Monica. I can't just... let go of everything. This is my life, my sister's life. You can't just sweep in and try to take over."

Monica's jaw tightened, her voice lowering. "I'm offering you help, Katherine. I can give you a life where you don't have to worry about anything—Lizzie's care, the money, your exhausting jobs. Don't you think that's worth considering?"

Katherine's heart raced, torn between her desperation and her growing discomfort with Monica's pushiness. "But at what cost? To live under your roof, at your beck and call? I'm not... I'm not some possession you can control."

Monica's eyes flashed, her frustration growing. "I'm not trying to control you. I'm trying to help you. But you're being stubborn, and quite frankly, foolish. You need to think about what's best for Lizzie, not just what makes you comfortable."

Katherine's fists clenched. "That's not fair. I *am* thinking about her."

"Are you?" Monica shot back, her voice sharp now. "Because if you were, you'd see that I'm offering her the best possible care. You'd stop being so damn stubborn and accept it."

Katherine stared at her, anger and fear swirling inside her. Monica's intensity was unnerving, and her words cut deep. "You can't manipulate me like this. I won't let you."

Monica took a step closer, her voice lowering to a dangerous whisper. "This isn't manipulation, Katherine. It's reality. You need me. Lizzie needs me. And whether you like it or not, you're running out of options."

The silence that followed was thick with tension. Katherine's heart pounded in her chest, torn between the logic in Monica's words and the suffocating feeling of being cornered. She opened her mouth to protest again, but Monica's next words silenced her.

"Think about what's best for Lizzie," Monica said, her voice cold and calculated. "Do you really want to gamble with her care because of your pride?"

Katherine's breath hitched, the mention of Lizzie tightening the knot of guilt in her chest. She wanted to scream, to push back, but the weight of her responsibilities crushed her resistance. She closed her eyes, her shoulders slumping.

Monica's voice softened, sensing her victory. "This is what's best for her, Katherine. You know it."

After a long moment, Katherine opened her eyes, feeling defeated. "Fine," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "I'll do it."

A small, satisfied smile curled at the corner of Monica's lips. "Good. You've made the right choice."

But as Katherine stood there, agreeing to something she wasn't sure she wanted, a cold chill settled over her. She had made a deal with Monica, but at what cost?

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