Chapter 3 Pretending Not To Know Jeremy

Heather suppressed her disgust and managed a forced smile. She straightened Cedric's collar once more before linking arms with him. Introducing herself to Jeremy, she extended her hand and said, "Hello, Mr. Buckley. I'm Cedric's girlfriend, Heather Taylor."

Her hand hovered in mid-air as Jeremy regarded her with a penetrating gaze. His expression was tight, almost angry, as though he perceived her as an intruder.

He made no move to shake her hand, nor did he seem inclined to speak. His demeanor alone was enough to embarrass her, suggesting to all onlookers that she was unworthy of Cedric.

"Mr. Buckley?" Heather prompted, maintaining her polite smile.

Just five minutes earlier, she had been ready to discard her role as Cedric's girlfriend and return to her peaceful life. But confronting Jeremy's intense stare and remembering his past, she realized that peace would elude her if Jeremy remained in her life. Reluctantly, she clung to her title as Cedric's girlfriend.

In Sharon's view, Jeremy, her husband's half-brother, shared similar assessments of Cedric's future wife, providing her with an unexpected sense of comfort.

Realizing Jeremy had decided not to shake hands with her, openly dismissing her, Heather sent Cedric a pitiful look, silently pleading for support.

Cedric was acutely aware of how much Heather had endured that day. He grasped her hand and drew her close, his voice tinged with displeasure as he addressed Jeremy, "Uncle Jeremy, regardless, Heather is my girlfriend. Don't you think she deserves some respect?"

Jeremy scoffed, his gaze fixed coldly on Heather's profile and Jeremy's hand encircling her slender waist. "I think you've lost your mind to have such a woman as your girlfriend."

Cedric bristled, ready to retort, but Heather nestled deeper into his embrace, her hand resting his chest. She whispered, fighting off the scent of another woman's perfume, "I'm fine, Cedric. As long as you understand me, that's all that matters."

Her words were carefully chosen, honed from two years of navigating her relationship with Cedric.

Guilt washed over Cedric, and he squeezed her hand reassuringly. "I know. I'm the one who understands you the best here."

Jeremy's sneer grew, his eyes alight with scorn. "You think you know her best?" he mocked.

Cedric shot back, "You crossed a line today, Uncle Jeremy."

Jeremy was usually a master at concealing his emotions, especially in public, and he was known for his respectful demeanor towards women. However, today, he acted quite differently.

The tension escalated, spurred by Heather's presence. Michael Buckley, Cedric's father, finally snapped, "That's enough. Don't embarrass us here. All Buckleys, it's time for viewing."

Heather stepped back from Cedric, pretending to wipe away tears. She whispered, "You should go."

She watched as Cedric reluctantly walked away.

They were all gathered for the funeral of Cedric's grandpa, a somber event that had them occupied till midnight, only dispersing after all the guests had left.

Throughout the day, Heather had navigated the complex role of an ambitious woman determined to join the Buckley family. After a busy day, she finally found a moment to rest and hydrate.

Alexia approached her with a sneer. "When you caught us together, you were adamant about breaking up with Cedric. I thought you were honorable, but your actions minutes later say otherwise. Can't let go of his wealth, can you?"