Then there was Ophelia Morgan, the female apprentice who appeared six months ago. She came into the picture when Cedric was under pressure to finish a sculpture for a company’s anniversary celebration, so he hired extra help. Ophelia, who had been drifting through Cedar Ridge, taking on odd jobs to get by, was one of them.
By the time her stint with him ended, Ophelia had stripped bare and begged him to take her in.
Cedric had kicked her out without a second thought and later chuckled about the incident with Dione, recounting it like an amusing anecdote.
Half a month later, Dione walked into Cedric's studio, only to be confronted with an unexpected sight: there was Ophelia, still there. Not only had she managed to stay, but Cedric had even sorted out her passport issues.
Dione, her heart heavy with the weight of betrayal, couldn’t hold back. "What’s going on here?" she asked, her voice tight and disbelieving.
Cedric stepped in front of Ophelia, his posture protective. His gaze softened as he explained, "She’s in a tough spot, just trying to make a living, much like we did when we first arrived in Cedar Ridge…"
"I took her in because she reminded me of our own struggles back then."
Back then, Dione had been sure of herself. Even the most glamorous movie stars couldn’t seem to catch Cedric’s eye, so she never gave a second thought to the idea that an average-looking girl with no standout features could win his attention.
So, she let it go.
But then, Dione’s health began to decline. She needed chemotherapy, and to keep Cedric from worrying, she fabricated a story about going abroad for a trip. Yet when she returned, fresh from her treatment, everything felt different.
It was right after her first round of chemotherapy. Her complexion was pale, the effects of the treatment evident, and she feared Cedric might notice and grow concerned. So, she headed to a beauty salon for some treatment. The beautician, in an attempt to lighten the mood, teasingly asked her how she could stand Cedric taking on a female apprentice.
It wasn’t until then that Dione learned Cedric had been attending one high-profile event after another with Ophelia, proudly introducing her as his beloved apprentice to anyone who would listen. She was the last to know.