Elysium: Desired by the Cold-hearted Princess [GL]
Chapter 81 81: The roadblock

Seraphina's Pov

I couldn't believe the nonsense Principal Astor was spewing. I sat there, gripping the edge of my chair in frustration as she calmly explained why I couldn't leave the school premises. My mind raced with a mix of panic and anger, and it took everything in me to not yell at her outright.

"You're not listening to me," I said through gritted teeth, trying to keep my voice steady even though my emotions threatened to break through. "My stepmother, Gianna, called me this morning, and she said my father is sick—so sick that he might be dying. What this means is that I need to go home now, Principal Astor. This isn't some excuse to skip school; it's an emergency."

Astor leaned back in her chair, looking at me with that same detached expression she always had when pretending to be sympathetic.

"Miss Hook," she said, her tone measured and infuriatingly calm, "I understand the urgency of your situation. However, as per school policy, we cannot release a student unless their legal guardian grants us explicit permission."

I stared at her, incredulous. "But he's the one who's sick! How is he supposed to give permission if he's barely conscious—or worse?"

Astor gave a small, unbothered shrug. "If your stepmother can provide us with medical documentation or contact your father's legal representatives, then perhaps we can expedite the process. Until then, I'm afraid my hands are tied."

Her words hit me like a slap to the face. "Tied?" I repeated, my voice rising despite myself. "You're the principal. You're in charge of this entire school, and you're telling me you can't do anything to help me see my dying father?"

Astor's lips tightened slightly, the only indication that my outburst might have annoyed her. "Miss Hook," she said, "it's not about what I can or can't do. It's about what I must do to ensure the safety and accountability of this institution. If you leave the school without proper authorization, and something happens—"

"Something is happening!" I interrupted, my voice cracking. "My father is dying, and you're worried about paperwork?"

She sighed, as though I were a petulant child throwing a tantrum. "I understand that emotions are running high right now, but rules exist for a reason. I'm sorry, but until we hear directly from your father—or your stepmother provides proper documentation—you cannot leave."

I felt my nails digging into my palms as I clenched my fists, my frustration building even more. "You're going to regret this," I said, standing up so quickly that the chair screeched against the floor. "If something happens to my dad, and I don't get to see him because you're too busy following 'rules,' it'll be on your head, and I'll never forgive you."

Astor didn't flinch. "If your father's condition is as serious as you claim, then I suggest you have your stepmother follow the proper procedures to expedite the process. Now, if there's nothing else, you may return to class. I'm sure a teacher's already in your class, so hurry up before you're marked as an absent student."

I stood there for a moment, glaring at her, and my chest heaved with the effort it took to hold back tears. I desperately wanted to scream at her and throw her stupid stack of files across the room, but I knew it wouldn't do any good, so instead, I stormed out of the office, slamming the door behind me.

As soon as the door clicked shut behind me, I came face to face with Mrs. Hawthorne, and her expression was apologetic, her lips pressed tightly together like she wanted to say something but knew she couldn't.

I gave her a faint nod, more out of politeness than anything else, and walked away without another word.

Once outside the office, I leaned against the nearest wall, trying to steady myself. My mind was racing. The school's refusal to let me leave without my father's confirmation was a roadblock I hadn't anticipated.

My father was sick—dying, according to Gianna—so how was I supposed to get the confirmation they needed? The thought of dealing with Gianna again made my stomach churn, but I didn't have a choice.

Taking a deep breath, I pulled out my phone and dialed her number, and the phone rang twice before her curt voice answered.

"What is it, Seraphina?" She snapped, her tone already making me regret calling. "I hope you're not calling to ask me about getting to the Elmeria airport again. I told you I have better things to do, Seraphina. You're not a baby!"

I sighed, trying to keep the frustration from leaking into my voice. "Gianna, the school isn't letting me leave unless they hear from Dad or maybe from someone in the family that can figure out a way to make my temporary leave legal. So I need you to call Principal Astor or at least help me get Dad to confirm with them. They won't believe me otherwise."

There was a pause, and I could hear the faint sound of someone speaking in the background on her end of the line. Then she scoffed.

"Are you deaf, Seraphina?" she said sharply. "I told you earlier—your father is dying. He's too sick to even lift his head, let alone talk to some school principal. Do you think I'm going to bother a dying man with your nonsense?"

Her words made my stomach churn. "Gianna, I need someone to talk to them. If it's not Dad, then you—"

"Figure it out yourself," she interrupted coldly. "You're old enough to handle your own problems, and I don't have time for your drama."

The call ended abruptly, leaving me staring at the blank screen in disbelief. My hands trembled as I clutched the phone to my chest, trying to process what had just happened.

Tears stung the corners of my eyes, and I quickly blinked them away, but it was no use. The tears came faster, blurring my vision as I leaned against the wall for support, wondering what in the world I was going to do now.

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