All Chapters of Love Is but an Illusion: Chapter 11 - Chapter 16

Joanna's POVMy plane landed in the city of Horans. I took a deep breath of the air of a foreign land, a mix of emotions flowing through my heart.I finally arrived in the city that I had long wanted to visit, to the university that I had once given up from attending because of Sebastian.I told myself that everything in the past was now behind me, and that it was time for a fresh start in life.I picked up my studies once more from the beginning. It was challenging, but I felt happy and fulfilled in life.I met new friends and new roommates. They were all warm and friendly people that helped me overcome the anxiety of arriving in a new environment in no time.My new roommate, Kelly Emmett, was a lively, extroverted girl. She welcomed me enthusiastically and even helped me unpack. "You're quite the beauty, Joan! With looks like yours, you must already have a boyfriend, right?"I shook my head and replied, "No, I'm single right now."She was slightly surprised, but she quickly s

Back at the dorm, Kelly rushed over to me in a panic. "Joan, you've gone viral! You're all over the headlines back home!"I was stunned for a moment, unable to comprehend her words.Kelly then handed me her phone. "See for yourself!"I accepted her phone and took a look at the screen. A currently trending article with bold letters was displayed on it. "Romance of the elites! Sebastian Ford confesses to his ex-girlfriend at his engagement party!"The article thoroughly detailed Sebastian's actions at the engagement party, along with numerous photos and videos of the scene.Photos of me were also somehow placed at the top of the article.I felt a little dazed when I scrolled down to look at the comments. "Oh my God! Just how much more romantic could he be?""This ex of his is way too heartless. How could she let go of a man like Sebastian?""Anyone know who the ex is? I wanna hear about their story!""I wanna hear it too! I'm really curious about who the ex is! She's gotta be

Emily was trembling with rage as she looked at his defeated expression. "You brat! Are you trying to give me a heart attack?"Sebastian said nothing in response. He just stood up and left the office.Tears streamed down her face as she watched him leave. "How did I give birth to a son like you?"He returned to his house and once again drowned his sorrows in alcohol.He was tormented by regret day after day, but he could not find any way to escape from it.One night, when he was on his way home from a bar, an out of control van suddenly crashed onto him.With a loud crash, Sebastian collapsed into a pool of his own blood.He stared into the sky in a daze, a bitter, self-loathing smile on his face. "Joan, does this count as atonement for you?"The light in the emergency room of the hospital stayed on for an entire night.Sebastian survived, but both of his legs were now crippled. He would be confined to a wheelchair for the rest of his life.Emily fainted when she first receive