“Why?”
“I was dusting.”
“I didn’t tell you to dust my office.”
“I’m sorry.”
Katherine stepped closer.
“You don’t think in this house.”
Monica lowered her eyes.
“You do what you are told.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“My office is mine.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“My books.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“My desk.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“My air.”
Monica’s finger dripped blood onto the marble.
Katherine leaned closer.
“You don’t breathe in that room unless I allow it.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“What did you touch?”
“Only the shelves.”
“The desk?”
“No, ma’am.”
Katherine stared at her.
Then slapped her.
Hard.
Monica’s head turned with the impact.
Ruth froze in the kitchen doorway.
Katherine lowered her voice.
“If I discover you touched anything…”
She grabbed Monica’s jaw.
“…you’ll disappear exactly like the others.”
Monica looked into her eyes.
“Do you understand?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Louder.”
