I Was Cut Out of the Video About My Boyfriend's Youth Chapter 2

Within a week, Nora landed a flood of brand deals. One well-known jewelry brand specializing in matching couples' rings specifically invited her and Xavier to star in an ad together.

When I saw the campaign proposal, I made it clear to Xavier that I was uncomfortable with it.

"You don't have to give me credit, but you could at least make it clear on the account that you have a girlfriend."

Xavier was straightening his shirt collar. His hands paused, and when he spoke, his voice was reproachful.

"It's just work. You know Nora and I have been friends for ten years, so why are you getting jealous over nothing?"

Nora happened to walk in just then. The moment she heard me, her eyes filled with tears.

"If we clarify things now, Xenia, the brand will think we deliberately started those rumors for publicity. The deal will fall through."

She looked at me with a wounded expression. "My career is finally beginning to take off. Do you have to ruin it for me now?"

Xavier immediately went over and patted her shoulder reassuringly before turning a cold look on me.

"We'll deal with it once the attention dies down. We've been together for four years. Do you really need some meaningless online declaration to prove that you're my girlfriend?"

I watched him defend Nora and said nothing more.

Did I still need proof?

Perhaps not. He had already made it perfectly clear whose side he was on.

On the day of the shoot, Nora specifically asked for me to remain behind the camera.

"Xenia knows us better than anyone. She's the only one who can capture the right feeling," she told the brand representatives with a smile.

The ad followed the two of them through their school years, depicting a couple's journey from school uniforms to wedding attire.

Through the camera, I watched Xavier lower his head and gently fix Nora's hair. The tenderness in his eyes was almost unbearable.

The crew began cheering them on.

"They're so sweet! Nothing beats watching a real couple together."

I held the camera steady and stared at the two people embracing in the viewfinder, a dull ache spreading through my chest.

Halfway through the shoot, I lowered the camera.

"This isn't being presented as an ordinary friendship anymore. It's crossing a line," I told Xavier.

His expression darkened in front of everyone, and his voice turned severe.

"Xenia, the entire client team is waiting on you. Stop bringing your personal feelings into work!"

Nora hurried over and pretended to smooth things over.

"Maybe we should just call it off. I don't want the two of you fighting because of me. I can pay the penalty for breaking the contract."

The moment she spoke, every member of the crew looked at me accusingly, as though I were the one being unreasonable.

Xavier stared coldly at me.

"Are you going to keep shooting, or are you leaving?"

I didn't want to delay the shoot or cause trouble for crew members who had done nothing wrong, so I had no choice but to raise the camera again.

Just as the shoot ended, rain began pouring down. Without hesitation, Xavier took off his jacket and draped it over Nora's shoulders, pulling her close to shield her from the rain.

Then he turned to me.

"The back seat is packed with equipment, so there isn't room for you. Take a cab back. Try not to get soaked lest you catch a cold."

I stood beneath the awning and watched their car speed away.

Suddenly, I remembered the winter of our sophomore year, when my fever had reached 102 degrees. Xavier had told me over the phone, "You're an adult. You need to learn to take care of yourself. Drink plenty of fluids."

Yet Nora only had to so much as sneeze for him to forget all about how adults were supposed to take care of themselves.

Back at the dorm, I contacted the platform's support team and submitted complete proof of copyright ownership along with the original project files.

I formally withdrew permission for them to use any of my footage or writing in "The Four of Us Through the Years."

Once I had finished, my phone buzzed.

It was a message from Xavier.

[Nora is hosting a livestream tomorrow night to celebrate the video's success.]

[Get there early and set up the lighting. Don't keep everyone waiting.]

I stared at the messages for a moment.

I didn't confront him or start an argument. I sent back only one word.

[Okay.]