The heart of an ice prince

Chapter 18

 **Chapter 18: Breaking Chains**

As Felix stepped through the grand doors of his family home that evening, an eerie silence greeted him. The usual household staff were absent from sight, and he immediately felt a shift in the air. He headed toward the staircase, hoping to reach his room without encountering his parents, but a voice rang out, freezing him in his tracks.

**Mr. Lee:** "Felix. Living room. Now."

Felix clenched his fists but obliged, walking into the dimly lit room where his parents sat, expressions stony and resolute. His father motioned toward an open document on the coffee table—a stark black-and-white statement from Felix's bank, showing a balance of zero.

His stomach dropped.

**Mr. Lee:** "We warned you, Felix. If you chose to keep disobeying, there would be consequences. Effective immediately, you're financially cut off. No more allowances, no more tuition payments, no more privileges."

The words hit Felix like a punch to the gut. Everything he'd taken for granted—the comforts, the security—had just been stripped away. His mother's cold gaze held no sympathy, only an unyielding authority that made Felix's blood boil.

**Felix:** "You're really willing to go this far? Just because I want to make my own decisions?"

His mother crossed her arms, unmoved.

**Mrs. Lee:** "It's not just about decisions, Felix. It's about responsibility, about the image we've carefully built. And you're intent on ruining it with your selfish whims."

Felix couldn't hold back a bitter laugh.

**Felix:** "Image. That's all you two care about, isn't it? I'm just a reflection of what you want me to be. But you know what? I'm done being your puppet."

A moment of silence hung in the room, his words echoing against the cold marble walls. For the first time, Felix saw a flicker of surprise in his father's eyes, but it was quickly replaced by anger.

**Mr. Lee:** "Then consider yourself out, Felix. If you think you're so capable on your own, go ahead—live without our support. But don't expect us to be there when you come crawling back."

Felix nodded slowly, the weight of his father's words sinking in. He turned and left without another glance back, the sound of his footsteps echoing in the empty hall.

---

Later that night, he sat in his car, parked outside a quiet café. He pulled out his phone and dialed your number, his fingers trembling slightly. When you picked up, your voice was a gentle comfort, steadying him.

**Felix:** "Can you meet me? I... I don't know what to do."

Within minutes, you arrived, finding him sitting on a bench outside the café. His usual composed expression was gone, replaced with a vulnerability that tugged at your heart.

**You:** "Felix... what happened?"

He took a deep breath, his voice barely a whisper as he explained. The financial cut-off, the cold dismissal—everything that had unfolded in the past few hours spilled out as you listened quietly, not interrupting.

Finally, he finished, his gaze fixed on the ground.

**Felix:** "I don't know how to live without their support. I've never had to... think about it before. But I can't go back to them. Not after this."

You placed a hand on his shoulder, giving it a gentle squeeze.

**You:** "You don't have to figure it out all at once. We'll take it step by step. There are people who get by without their family's help every day. You're strong enough to do this."