Chapter 3

Celine woke up earlier than usual. Even though her heart was hurting, she was still responsible for preparing breakfast for Wiliam's family. Assisted by the servants, she was busy in the kitchen as usual. 

Since entering the Wiliam Mansion, Celine had been like a maid. 

"Good morning, Miss Celine," greeted one of the servants with a friendly smile. 

Celine just smiled back at the servant while cutting the bread. 

Not long after, the sound of laughter came from the dining room. Celine knew it was Nicolas and Ruby. They came with Celine's father and mother-in-law, Mrs. Maria and Mr. Morgan. 

Nicolas was seen holding Ruby as they entered the dining room.

"Ruby, you look so beautiful this morning," Nicolas complimented her as he kissed one cheek. 

Ruby smiled sweetly, "Really, baby!" Ruby buried her face in Nicolas' chest, she looked very spoiled. 

Celine took a deep breath and brought a plate of toast to the dining table. "Good morning everyone," she greeted kindly. She was still acting casual as if nothing had happened to her. 

Mr. Morgan nodded as he sat on a chair, while Mrs. Maria looked at Celine with a cold gaze.

"Good morning, Celine," Nicolas said in a flat tone.

Nicolas looked at Celine and then back at Ruby. "Look, Ruby. Can you see why I turned away? You look more attractive than... " he said with a glance at Celine.

Ruby chuckled. "I understand, darling. She doesn't deserve to be your wife. She deserves to be a servant," Ruby said. 

Celine felt a pain in her heart at Nicolas' words, but she still tried to smile. For now, she would try to hold on for the sake of her baby. Celine didn't want her child to be born without a father. 

"Nico, what do you want for breakfast? Let me prepare it," Celine offered, still as sweet as ever. 

"Let Ruby prepare it. You don't have to serve me anymore," Nicolas refused. 

Madame Maria continued to watch Celine, giving her a sardonic look. The woman seemed to smile mockingly. 

"Celine, you really are shameless, aren't you? Nicolas clearly doesn't consider you his wife, but you still stay in this house," said Madame Maria. 

Celine tried to stay calm, she always smiled when responding to hurtful words, "I am still Nicolas' wife, ma'am, I will stay," Celine said. 

Nicolas raised an eyebrow and looked at Celine with a cold stare.

"Celine, soon you will no longer be my wife. I will immediately apply for divorce papers so that I can marry Ruby. But, you don't need to be afraid, I won't kick you out. So from now on, don't say that you are my wife," Nicolas said firmly. 

Ruby smiled sarcastically. "Listen, Celine. You should have realized your position by now. Nicolas' wife is now me, not you," Ruby added. 

"So... you're going to divorce me?!" asked Celine, still not accepting her husband's decision. 

"Yes, Celine. Maybe in a month," said Nicolas. 

"In a month? Nico, why don't you divorce him now, huh?!" protested Mrs. Maria. 

Mr. Morgan just listened to the heated debate this morning. He didn't interfere too much. The important thing was that Nicolas would divorce Celine. From the beginning, Mr. Morgan didn't really like Celine either.

"The most important thing is that Nico will divorce her, ma'am. Never mind... we should enjoy our breakfast," Nicolas said. 

Ruby was silent, she didn't really protest as sooner or later Nicolas would marry her. 

"Celine, if you have any shame and dignity left, you'd better get out of here," Mr. Morgan said without so much as a glance at Celine.

"I will not go. And I will make my husband retract his words. In the end, Nico will definitely keep me as his wife. Because I -"

"Enough, Celine!" snapped Mrs. Maria cutting Celine off.

"Why, Mom?" asked Celine with a faint smile. "Are you afraid?" 

"Already... already!" said Nicolas, "We'll see, ma'am, if Celine will be able to prove what she said!" Nicolas challenged Celine. 

"We'll see," Celine said, pulling up a chair and getting up to go upstairs.

Nicolas held one hand of Ruby who was sitting next to him. 

"You don't have to think about what he said, darling. I will still make you my wife," Nicolas said reassuringly. 

"Yes, Nico, I believe you," Ruby said. 

Madame Maria and Mr. Morgan could only hope that Celine would give up and walk away from their son's life. 

"Nico, you should just ask Celine to prepare your wedding party with Ruby," Mrs. Maria suggested, hoping that this way, Celine would give in. 

"Well, mom's right, dear. Celine should take care of our wedding. Then we can just sit back and relax," Ruby said, agreeing with Madam Maria's suggestion. 

"Alright, I'll have Celine organize and take care of my wedding party with Ruby," said Nico who finally agreed too.

***

Celine who was already in her room just cried. After only a day of Ruby's stay at the mansion, Celine's position had already been displaced. If she hadn't remembered that she was pregnant, Celine probably would have left.

"Don't cry, Celine, you have to keep fighting for your marriage," Celine whispered trying to encourage herself. 

Celine had one month to maintain her position as Nicolas' wife. She was confident that even if Celine kept her pregnancy a secret, she would be able to defend her marriage and get rid of Ruby.

*** 

Nicolas and Mr. Morgan left for the office straight after breakfast. 

Madame Maria and Ruby rushed to Celine's room after Nicolas and Mr. Morgan left for the office. They knocked loudly on the door, and Celine opened the door with tearful eyes.

"What's wrong, Mom?" asked Celine in a weak voice.

"I have a task for you, Celine," said Mrs. Maria in a cold tone.

"What task, ma'am?" asked Celine.

"Wash the dirty clothes of Ruby, my daughter-in-law!" ordered Madame Maria. 

Celine frowned. "Sorry, ma'am, I don't want to do it. It's not my job. I'm still Nico's wife, you and Ruby should order the maid to wash Ruby's clothes," Celine said, immediately refusing her mother-in-law's order.