I honestly think this is either a joke by the author OR they're under an illusion spell cu...

Exactly!! That's what I've been hoping!! Maybe it's a dream?? An illusion???

I cannot accept that this is how the story unfolds

I can't either, it has been such a nice story so far, honestly, I'd be disappointed, like I know they'll get together one way or the other, but for them to disregard every other plot that they hyped up this whole time? Nah, that's so sad.