Chapter 11

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

Chapter 12

I had originally thought that Sebastian would completely disappear from my life.But it was not long when I received news about him once more.One day, just after class, I received a message from my friend. "Joan, I think this is something you should know about. Did you know that Sebastian found a substitute who looks almost exactly like you?"My mind buzzed for a moment when I read the message. An indescribable feeling welled up within my heart.I did not even know what kind of feeling it was. I did not know if it was anger, sadness, or even disbelief.I never expected for him to be able to do something so absurd.I took a deep breath and tapped on the message from my friend to see the rest of it. "Joan, Sebastian's kinda gone insane ever since you left."His mother had no other choice but to look for another woman who looks just like you, hoping that it would help him pull himself back together."Her name's Wendy Scott, and she's apparently a small-time celebrity. She looks a

Chapter 13

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

Chapter 14

However, what happened next was beyond what I had expected.In the following days, more and more news about me and Sebastian appeared on the internet.Some felt that he was a devoted man, that I was the ungrateful one in the relationship."This ex-girlfriend of his is just ridiculous! She must be stupid to not want a great man like Sebastian!""Exactly! She's the problem! She must just be playing hard to get in order to manipulate Sebastian into committing to her completely, so that she can marry the Ford family and climb up the social ladder!""I can't believe this. How could a woman like that be worthy of Sebastian? Sebastian, you gotta wake up! Don't let her fool you any longer!"Some also felt that there was more to the story."I believe this isn't all that simple. The ex-girlfriend had been with Sebastian for so many years and just left him all of a sudden. There must be a reason it happened.""I agree. Maybe Sebastian did something that really hurt her, and she had chosen

Chapter 15

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

Chapter 16

Meanwhile, I was abroad with my friends, preparing to welcome the New Year.The controversies surrounding me from back home had long since died down, and I had also returned to a peaceful life.I worked hard in my studies over the past year. I had also made new friends and tried out all sorts of new things in life.I kept the card Emily had given me, but I had never used even a single cent of the money inside.I had thought about finding an opportunity to return it to her, but Kelly persuaded me to keep it for myself. "They owe you that at the very least, Joan. It's only right that you keep it. You don't have to do this."I thought about it and realized that Kelly was right.The money could be considered compensation from the Ford family.My friends and I decorated the venue for the New Year's party together in a lively atmosphere.A young man from my university walked up to me and bashfully invited me to a movie with him.I recognized him to be a team member of mine from prev