Offred

Love

Serena and Fred walked in inside their house.

- What a lovely baby, wasn't she? You think we are going to have a beautiful girl like that, too?

Fred's heart was aching. He knew Serena said all those things in purpose. As soon as she saw Offred about to go upstairs, a smirk appeared on her face.

- Oh, don't worry about that devil child you lost.

Offred freezed. She and Fred were looking each other in the eyes for a fraction of second before he turned to Serena raising his hand as he was about to slap her.

- IF YOU WANNA LIVE ..
- What, Fred? Is this the proper way to talk to your wife in front of the Handmaid?

Offred had tears streaming down her face. She ran upstairs crying.

- Listen here, you sick.. I am the husband. I can punish you if you misbehave and don't obey to my word. Do you understand that?
- You're not quite in the position to give me orders, Fred. The Wife is responsible for the Handmaid. All you have to do with her is rape her systematically.
- Shut your fucking mouth!
- Why? Did I say something that's not true? I'm warning you, Fred. I can hurt her. She doesn't have to pay for your mistakes, poor thing.

Fred thought that in that moment he was either going to kill her or walk out of the room to avoid it from happening. He chose the latter.

Offred was standing near the window, sobbing. What were they going to do to escape this hell? It was impossible. Suddenly the door of her room opened. It was Serena.

- Tonight we'll be having the ceremony. I hope it's your lucky night, cause I'm not going to give you any more chances.

She left without saying anything else. Offred layed her head next to the wall and kept looking outside. How much longer? How much?

Fred saw that Nick was outside cleaning the car. As he was about to go to him, Serena stopped him.

- Fred! I just told Offred that we will be having the ceremony tonight. This is her last chance.
- You don't get to decide about her chances.
- Actually I do.
- No, I do. Now get out of my sight, I don't want to see you.

He was about to go out but she grabbed his arm. Then, she came closer to him, trying to smell him.

- We've been married for more than six months now.. and you haven't even tried to touch me.

Fred turned around angrily.

- I never will. You wanted all this, I didn't. You ruined my family.
- That woman isn't your family! I am.
- You will never be. You're just the murderer of my baby.
- It was the right thing to do for your salvation. I gave you the chance to have another baby now. Our baby.
- It won't be yours! It will be mine and of my woman! The woman I love! That woman is my LIFE! THAT WOMAN THAT YOU SICK BASTARDS TREATED LIKE AN ANIMAL!! YOU PUT HER UNDER ANESTHESIA WITHOUT HER WILL AND KILLED OUR BABY!

Tears were streaming down his face as he was talking. In that moment Nick came in. He saw Fred's red eyes and tears and Serena's nervous face.

- I.. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to interrupt..
- No, don't worry, Nick. Mr. Waterford was about to go upstairs to get ready for the ceremony. Can you do me a favor and please go tell the Handmaid to start getting ready?
- Sure, Ma'am.

As he was about to go Fred violently grabbed his arm. His eyes were filled with tears and enormous hate.

- You are not allowed to go to my.. Handmaid's room. Never. Do you hear me? NEVER!

Nick didn't know what to do or think. He tried to remain calm. Serena closed her eyes and nervously touched her forehead.

- Nick, go and tell her, please. I'll talk with Mr. Waterford.