The heart of an ice prince

Chapter 24

 **Chapter 24: The Icy Confrontation**

The hospital room was filled with a tense silence as Felix sat on the edge of his bed, his hands resting nervously in his lap. He had spent the last few days in recovery, surrounded by the warmth of your presence, but today felt different. Today, he was expecting his parents to arrive, and the thought of facing them sent a chill down his spine.

You sat in the chair beside him, a comforting presence, yet the atmosphere was heavy with unspoken worries. You could sense Felix's anxiety radiating from him, the way he fidgeted with his fingers and avoided eye contact.

**You:** "Felix, you're going to be okay. Just remember, they're here to see you because they care."

Felix nodded, but the doubt lingered in his eyes. He couldn't shake off the memories of their coldness and the emotional distance that had defined their relationship for years.

**Felix:** "I don't know if they care, not really. They care about appearances and reputation, but not me."

Before you could respond, the door swung open, and Felix's parents stepped inside. Their expressions were as rigid as ever, faces masked with concern that felt more like obligation than genuine care.

**Mother:** "Felix."

Her voice was cold, devoid of warmth, and it pierced through the air like a knife. Felix instinctively tensed, his heart racing as he prepared for their confrontation.

**Father:** "We heard about your... incident."

There was no sympathy in his tone, just a clinical acknowledgment of the situation. Felix's stomach twisted at the sound of his father's voice, the authority and detachment evident in every word.

**Felix:** "I'm okay now."

He tried to sound confident, but the quiver in his voice betrayed him. His parents exchanged glances, clearly unimpressed.

**Mother:** "You don't seem okay. You need to understand how serious this is."

Felix clenched his jaw, the frustration bubbling beneath the surface.

**Felix:** "I'm working on it! I've been in therapy. I'm trying to get better."

**Father:** "Trying isn't enough. You have responsibilities to uphold, Felix. This family has a reputation."

The mention of their reputation struck a nerve, igniting a familiar sense of anger within Felix.

**Felix:** "This isn't about the family's reputation! This is about me!"

The room fell silent, the tension thickening as you watched the confrontation unfold. Felix's parents remained unmoved, their expressions still icy and detached.

**Mother:** "Your feelings don't justify your actions. You should have thought about the consequences."

Felix felt his heart shatter a little more at her words. How could they be so heartless?

**Felix:** "You don't understand! I felt trapped! I needed help!"

**Father:** "You should have come to us instead of resorting to such drastic measures. This is a reflection of your weakness."

Felix's breath hitched in his throat, anger mixing with despair.

**Felix:** "You think this is weakness? You don't know what I've been through! You never cared to ask!"

**Mother:** "Watch your tone. This is not how you speak to your parents."

Their condescending attitude only fueled Felix's rage, and he stood up, his chair scraping against the floor.

**Felix:** "You know what? You're right! You never cared! You only care about how I look to the outside world!"

**Father:** "Enough! You're embarrassing yourself."

Felix's chest tightened as he glared at them, his heart pounding with emotion. It was the same cycle repeating—his pain dismissed, his struggles minimized.

**Felix:** "You don't get to come in here and act like you're concerned when you've been nothing but cold my entire life!"

A brief silence filled the room, and for a moment, Felix thought he saw a flicker of something in their eyes—maybe guilt or regret—but it was quickly replaced by their usual stoicism.

**Mother:** "We're not here to argue. We're here to ensure you don't make a fool of yourself again."

Felix felt like the wind had been knocked out of him. He slumped back into his chair, feeling utterly defeated.

**You:** "That's not fair!"

You stood up, defending Felix with a fierce determination that surprised both Felix and his parents.

**You:** "Felix is trying to get better. He's working hard to heal, and you need to support him, not berate him."

His parents turned their cold gazes toward you, surprise evident in their expressions.

**Father:** "And who are you to lecture us?"

**You:** "I'm someone who cares about him! He deserves support, not judgment."

Felix looked at you, grateful for your defense but fearful of how his parents would react.

**Mother:** "This is a family matter. We don't need outsiders meddling."

**You:** "im not an outsider. im his friend, and he needs friends right now. Not cold criticism."

Felix felt a wave of warmth wash over him as he listened to you, your fierce loyalty reminding him that not everyone was as indifferent as his parents.

**Father:** "We'll handle this our way. You're not needed here."

**You:** "You're only making things worse. If you truly cared, you'd try to understand him instead of pushing him away."

Felix felt a mixture of pride and fear as he watched the exchange. Your words rang true, but he knew his parents were unlikely to change.

**Felix:** "I just want to be understood. I want you to see me for who I am, not just what I represent."

**Mother:** "You're being dramatic."

Felix's heart sank at her dismissive tone, and he knew this conversation was going nowhere.

**Felix:** "I can't keep doing this. I need to heal, but if you can't support me, I don't know how."

The room fell into an uncomfortable silence, the air thick with unresolved tension.

**Father:** "You will do as you're told. You'll continue therapy, and you'll maintain your obligations."

Felix felt a surge of anger rise within him, but he knew there was no point in arguing.

**Felix:** "Fine. I'll do what I have to do."

With that, his parents turned to leave, their expressions still cold and unyielding. You watched them go, disappointment etched on your face.

As the door closed behind them, Felix felt the weight of the world pressing down on him again.

**You:** "I'm so sorry, Felix."

You moved back to his side, taking his hand in yours.

**Felix:** "I thought maybe... maybe they'd change."

**You:** "They might not change, but you're not alone in this. I'm here for you."

Felix nodded, grateful for your presence, even as the bitterness of the confrontation lingered in the air.

**Felix:** "I just wish they could see how much I'm trying."

**You:** "You're stronger than you think. And I see you."

Felix managed a small smile, knowing that no matter how cold his parents were, he had someone who cared deeply. It was a small flicker of hope, but it was enough to keep him going for now.

end of Chapter 24

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