Celine stepped forward and pulled Ruby's hair roughly. "Take it off right now! Those clothes are mine!" Celine urged, not willing to let Ruby use her own clothes. 

Ruby cried out in pain. "Let go of me, you crazy woman!"

Nico suddenly appeared, he had just finished showering, "What are you doing, Celine? Let go of Ruby!" shouted Nico who immediately pulled Celine's hand.

Celine reluctantly let go of Ruby's hair. "Nico, she's wearing my lingerie! I don't like her using my stuff!" said Celine m

Nico gave Celine a sharp look. "What's the problem? It's just clothes. After all, Ruby will soon become my wife. And tonight, Ruby will be serving me in bed, so what's the big deal?"

Celine was silent, her tears starting to flow. "Nico, you're really bad, you don't think about my feelings at all!" Celine shouted softly. 

Nico approached Celine and looked at her coldly. "You're the one making things difficult, Celine. If you want to stay here, just do as I say. If you mind my girlfriend wearing this lingerie, no problem."

Then Nico looked at Ruby, "Honey, you take off this ugly lingerie, yes. Later, I'll buy you a better one. How about it?" 

And again, in front of Celine, Nico kissed Ruby on the lips. 

"Yes, baby, I'll return this ugly lingerie to Celine," Ruby said with a satisfied smile after Nico finished smacking her lips. 

After that, Nico took Ruby's hand and walked out of Celine's room, leaving Celine standing rooted to the spot, with her heart in pieces.

After a while, Celine sat on the edge of her bed, holding her stomach which was starting to ache. She knew that her pregnancy was in danger if she continued to stress like this. Celine closed her eyes, trying to calm herself down.

***

Celine woke up early as usual. She prepared breakfast, even though her heart felt very heavy. When Nico and Ruby came down to the dining room, followed by Mr. Morgan and Mrs. Maria, Celine tried to smile, even though her tears were about to spill.

"Good morning, Nico," Celine greeted with a trembling voice. She was still treating Nicolas sweetly. 

"Yes," Nico replied briefly, without looking at Celine.

Ruby just grinned. "Morning, Celine. I hope you can handle the preparations for Nico and I's engagement party well today," Ruby said. 

Celine nodded. "Yes, I will. You don't have to worry, Ruby. 

After breakfast, Celine began to organize all the preparations for Nico and Ruby's engagement party. Every time she had to contact a service provider or organize small details. 

The days passed quickly, and as Nico and Ruby's engagement day approached, the pressure Celine felt grew. She felt like a prisoner in her own home, forced to organize the party of the man who was still her husband. 

After finishing all the preparations, Celine sat alone in her room. Suddenly, her bedroom door opened and Nico walked in.

"Have you finished all the preparations?" Nico asked without preamble.

Celine nodded. "Yes, everything is ready, Nico."

Nico looked at Celine with an expression that was hard to read. "You know, Celine, I once loved you. But now, everything has changed."

"Yes, Nico, because I haven't been able to give you children, right? Because I'm not as beautiful as I used to be, right?" Celine smiled slightly. 

"It's good that you're self-aware," Nico said. 

Celine shook her head, unable to say anything. Nico stepped closer to Celine and lifted her chin, forcing her to look into his eyes.

"Don't expect me to love you back again, Celine, it's impossible. You have to accept this fact," Nico said firmly.

Without waiting for a response from Celine, Nico let go of her hand and turned to walk out of the room, leaving a sobbing Celine alone. 

On the day of Nico and Ruby's engagement, Celine wore a maid outfit. Celine tried to appear strong even though her heart was really hurting. In this house, she was truly treated like a servant. 

In the middle of the party, Celine saw Nico and Ruby dancing together, looking so happy. Her heart was broken, but she stood her ground, holding back the tears that were about to fall.

"You're such a fool, Celine," Celine whispered. "Look, they're so happy without thinking about your feelings. You're a fool, Celine, you're a fool!"

After the incident with Billy, the party was back on. Soft music played, and decorative lights glittered throughout the room. In the center of it all, Nico and Ruby stood on a small stage decorated with white flowers and candles. Guests gathered around them, waiting for the moment they had been waiting for: the pinning of the engagement rings.

Celine stood in the corner of the room, watching from a distance with a heavy heart. Her eyes could not escape the couple who were celebrating love over the misery of the Basin.

"You're really bad, Nico! You're not the Nico I used to know," Celine whispered, her heart feeling like it had been pierced by thorns multiple times as she watched Nico and Ruby about to exchange rings. 

Nico held Ruby's hand gently, then took the ring from the small box given by a waiter. 

"I, Nicolas William Khiel, hereby pin this ring as a token of my love and loyalty to Ruby," Nico said in a firm yet gentle voice. He slipped the ring onto Ruby's ring finger, and instantly, Ruby smiled widely.

After that, it was Ruby's turn to put the ring on Nico's ring finger. 

"Even Nico doesn't wear our wedding rings anymore," Celine whispered. 

Nico then pulled Ruby close and kissed her on the lips in front of everyone. The kiss was long and passionate, as if Nico wanted to show the world how much Ruby belonged to him.

The guests clapped and cheered, but the sounds sounded hollow to Celine's ears.

With tears falling relentlessly, Celine turned around and walked towards the back terrace of the mansion. She wanted to get out of everyone's sight, seeking a quieter place to soothe her broken heart. As she reached the back terrace, a servant, a middle-aged woman who had always been kind to her, approached and touched Celine's shoulder gently.