A few months later…

Sophie played cards with Frau Hellstrom, and a few other military wives. They all giggled at their husbands and continued to poke fun at them until the chatter died down. Everybody except Sophie truly cared about her partner; they had met during school or they were enchanted by how they looked in their uniforms. One way or another, they all seemed to be content with their marriages.

Her mind concentrated on her hand when a gentle knock interrupted her. When Sophie looked up, she saw her husband standing at the corner of the room staring at her. Frau Hellstrom turned to see where Sophie's gaze had left her; when she saw Hans, she chuckled and motioned him over.

"Hans darling! Come over here!" her bright smile was greeted with a sly smile of his own.

Sophie despised him so much. From the first night he had brought her home, she hated him. At least their lovemaking had softened during the last few months, but nonetheless Sophie still despised him. Hans came in and pulled a chair next to his wife. As he sat, he gave her a kiss on the cheek, a kiss that represented their marriage-cold and fake.

Hans then leaned in and whispered in her ear,

"May I have a moment?"

Sophie smiled politely at her guests and placed her cards down on the table.

"Pardon me, ladies. I must discuss some matters with my husband. Please, make yourselves at home." She turned her head towards the kitchen "Helen! More tea!"

As Sophie exited the foyer with Hans, he gently took her hand and led her upstairs. Her thoughts grew wild, as she didn't know what was happening. What was he up to now? They entered her bedroom and he sat with her on the bed. His eyes were stern now; there were no gentle thoughts behind his eyes.

"Is there something you need to tell me?" his voice was low and firm. He reached into his pocket and took out his cigarette tin.

Sophie's heart sank down to her stomach. He had found out about her family; her uneasiness only projected itself more as he calmly inhaled and exhaled his cigarette. It was then that Sophie looked down at the ground, red with embarrassment.

"Oui, I do…"

Landa chuckled as he reached across her to ash his cigarette.

"How long did you think you could have hidden this from me?"

Sophie stayed silent. Her eyes shifted and met his. For the first time in her life, she had felt defeated. While quiet, Sophie shrugged and waited what could have come next.

To her surprise, Hans let out a burst of laughter and hugged her tight. Perhaps there was something else she was missing? She grew confused, but then understood as his hand slid down to her lower abdomen.

"I knew it! You and I have been making love every single night since we've been married. You haven't bled and your breasts have grown even more voluptuous. We must call upon the doctor right away."

Sophie was in shock. How could he have known? She didn't even know! Then she remembered the first thing he had ever said to her, It is my job to know. In her mind, she prayed that the child growing within her womb was not certainly his. She let herself give a small grin as to show Hans that her son was going to be the spitting image of Amon Goeth.