I ignored the little box under our Christmas tree for years. My husband said it was just a memory from his first love, but memories don’t haunt you like that. Last Christmas, something inside me snapped. I opened the gift and found a secret that changed everything.
I met Tyler when I was 32 and he was 35. It sounds cliché, but it felt like fate. Our connection was fast and electric, like when you step outside just as the first snowfall starts. Everything was magic, glittering, and impossibly perfect.
A couple walking in the snow | Source: Midjourney
He made me laugh with his dry humor, and I admired his quiet confidence. He was never brash and never postured. Tyler was just steady and certain, a safe harbor in a storm.
At least, that’s what I thought. I later realized his calm demeanor wasn’t confidence; it was cowardice.
Our first Christmas together was everything I’d dreamed of. Candles flickered, soft music played, and snow dusted the windows. We took turns unwrapping gifts, leaving ribbons and bows scattered across the floor. Then I saw it.
A woman sitting in a living room on Christmas | Source: Midjourney
One gift remained under the Christmas tree: a small, neatly wrapped box with a slightly flattened bow.
“Oh?” I said, tilting my head toward it. “Is that also for me?”
Tyler glanced up from the sweater I’d just given him and shook his head. “Nah, that’s… that’s something from my first love. She gave it to me before we broke up.” He shrugged like it was nothing. “Each year, I place it under the tree, though I’ve never opened it.”
A man sitting on a sofa | Source: Midjourney
I blinked. “What?”
He didn’t even look up. Just folded the sweater over his lap. “It’s not a big deal. It’s just a memory of someone who once meant a lot to me.”
I felt a prickle at the back of my neck. “Why didn’t you open it?”
“We broke up soon afterward, and I didn’t feel like opening it,” he said, and that was that.
The moment passed, or at least he thought it did.
A happy man sitting in a living room on Christmas | Source: Midjourney
But I remember sitting there, my smile feeling too tight on my face. A little red flag waved somewhere in the distance of my mind, but I told myself it was fine. People hold on to weird things. Old love letters. Ticket stubs. Nobody’s perfect, right?
The years rolled on, and we built a life together. Tyler and I got married and bought a little starter home. We had two kids together who filled the rooms with shrieks of joy and toddler tears.
We were happy. Or busy, which sometimes feels the same. Christmases came and went like clockwork.
A Christmas tree in a living room | Source: Pexels
I’d put up the tree while Tyler wrangled the lights. The kids would argue over which ornaments went where, and every year, without fail, that little box appeared under the tree.
I asked him about it again around year seven of our marriage.
“Why do you still have that old gift?” I’d said, dusting pine needles off the floor. “You’ve had it longer than you’ve had me.”
He looked up from untangling the lights, brow furrowed like I’d just asked him to solve world peace.
A man untangling Christmas lights in his living room | Source: Midjourney
“It’s just a box, Nicole. It’s not hurting anyone. Leave it be.”
I could’ve argued. I wanted to, but I didn’t. Back then, I still believed that peace was more important than answers. I still believed in us.
Time slipped through our fingers. Christmases came and went. The kids grew up and left for college. They called less and less and skipped spending holidays with the folks more often.
The house was quieter than I expected. It’s funny how you never realize how much noise you’ll miss.
A mature woman decorating a Christmas tree alone | Source: Midjourney
But that box? It never missed a year.
Every December, I’d watch it appear like a ghost. Tyler would place it in a spot where it was out of the way, but still clearly visible. It still had the same stupid paper, as smooth as the day his first love wrapped it.
I didn’t say anything anymore. I’d just see it, feel my chest tighten, and keep moving. But something had shifted.
A mature woman standing near a Christmas tree | Source: Midjourney
The box wasn’t just a box anymore. It was everything we never said to each other. It was his silence on the nights I lay awake, wondering if he’d ever loved me as much as her.
One night, after putting away dinner leftovers, I stood in the kitchen, hands on my hips, staring at the ceiling like it owed me an answer.
Tyler still hadn’t washed the dishes like he’d said he would, and hadn’t taken the trash out either. Instead, he was upstairs, tapping away on his laptop while I held everything together, like always.
A solemn-looking woman standing in a kitchen | Source: Midjourney
I’d committed years of my life to this man and our family, and I was tired of always having to fight with him and remind him about chores. I looked around our kitchen and my heart ached for something I couldn’t name.
I sighed, dried my hands on a dishrag, and made my way to the living room.
The Christmas tree lights twinkled softly, casting everything in a warm, golden glow. It should’ve been peaceful. But then I saw that darn box.
Gifts under a Christmas tree | Source: Pexels
It was sitting there, smug, untouched. Still unopened after all these years.
Something deep and sharp unfurled in my chest. I could’ve walked away. I should’ve, but I’d walked away too many times already.
I grabbed it off the floor, and before I could think, I tore it open. Paper shredded in my hands and that stupid, flattened bow fell to the floor. My breath came short and fast as I tore open the thin cardboard and revealed the gift from Tyler’s first love.
A woman opening a Christmas gift | Source: Pexels
Inside was a letter, neatly folded, aged to a soft yellow. I froze.
This was the thing he’d guarded for thirty years. My heart drummed in my ears as I unfolded the page, fingers trembling.
My stomach dropped as I read the first sentence. I stumbled backward and sat down hard on the sofa as my knees went weak.
A woman sitting on a sofa while reading a letter | Source: Midjourney
“Tyler, I’m pregnant. I know this is a shock, but I didn’t know where else to turn. My parents found out and they’re forcing me to stay away from you, but if you meet me at the bus station on the 22nd, we can run away together. I’ll be wearing a green coat.
Please, meet me there, Tyler. I’m so sorry I lied that day I broke up with you. My father was watching from the car. I never stopped loving you.”
I pressed my fist to my mouth to keep from making a sound.
A shocked woman reading a letter | Source: Midjourney
She’d been there. She’d waited for him. And he never showed. But worse than that — he’d never even opened the letter. He had no idea…
I heard Tyler’s footsteps coming down the stairs. I didn’t even try to hide what I’d done.
When he saw me holding the letter, his face went pale.
“What did you do?!” His voice was sharp, slicing through the air like glass. “That was my most precious memory!”
I rose and turned to him slowly, feeling something inside me crack wide open.
A shocked man standing in a living room decorated for Christmas | Source: Midjourney
“Memory?” I held up the letter like a battle flag. “You mean this? This letter you never even opened? You’re telling me you clung to this ‘memory’ for thirty years and didn’t even have the courage to see what it was?”
He blinked, stepping back like I’d hit him.
“I didn’t…” He stopped and swiped a hand down his face. “I was scared, okay?”
“Coward,” I hissed, thrusting the letter at him like it was a sword.
A furious woman holding a letter | Source: Midjourney
His eyes widened. We stood there like that for what felt like forever, but then he took the page in his hands, and read the letter.
My eyes didn’t even sting with tears as I watched him gasp with shock and sit down on the arm of the sofa. I was too tired for that now.
Emotions flickered across his face, and at one point, he let out a low moan. He seemed to reread her words at least three times before he dropped his head into his hands.
A man sitting with his head in his hands | Source: Midjourney
“She… she was waiting, and I didn’t show up.” His shoulders shook and his voice was thick with emotion.
Silence stretched between us, thick and suffocating. He cried like a man mourning his own grave. But I didn’t feel sorry for him. I’d been waiting too.
“Tyler,” I said, my voice calm like a still lake after a storm. “I’m tired. Tired of being second to a ghost.” I felt my heart settle into something steady. “We’re done.”
He didn’t chase me as I left the room.
An angry woman glancing over her shoulder | Source: Midjourney
The divorce was quiet. Neither of us had the energy to make it messy. We split the house, the cars, and the rest of our lives.
He tracked her down. I found out from our youngest. She was happily married and their son wasn’t interested in meeting Tyler or his half-siblings. He’d missed his chance. Twice.
And me? I got my own place. On Christmas Eve, I sat by the window, watching the soft glow of lights from the neighboring apartments.
A content woman sitting near a window | Source: Midjourney
There was no tree this year, no boxes, and no ghosts. Just peace.
Here’s another story: When Madison’s husband, Larry, surprises her with a handmade advent calendar, she’s touched — until day one reveals a “gift” that’s really a chore. Each day, it gets worse, but by day 15, Madison’s patience snaps, and she hatches a plan to teach him a lesson.
This work is inspired by real events and people, but it has been fictionalized for creative purposes. Names, characters, and details have been changed to protect privacy and enhance the narrative. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental and not intended by the author.
The author and publisher make no claims to the accuracy of events or the portrayal of characters and are not liable for any misinterpretation. This story is provided “as is,” and any opinions expressed are those of the characters and do not reflect the views of the author or publisher.
BRAD PITT’S NEW LOVE LOOKS JUST LIKE ANGELINA JOLIE – SEE THE STUNNING SIMILARITIES
Brad Pitt’s new relationship with Ines de Ramon has caught public attention because she looks similar to his ex-wife, Angelina Jolie. People online have noticed the similarities between the two women.
Even though Ines and Angelina are different people, many discussions compare them. Brad Pitt is currently dating Ines de Ramon. He was previously married to Jennifer Aniston from 2000 to 2005 and to Angelina Jolie from 2014 to 2019. Before dating Ines, Brad was linked to Emily Ratajkowski after her split from Sebastian Bear-McClard.
Brad Pitt’s relationship with Ines de Ramon is causing a buzz online because people are comparing her to his ex-wife, Angelina Jolie. The couple has been seen together in public a few times, sparking interest and discussion about their similarities.
The pair were photographed backstage at a Bono concert at Los Angeles’ Orpheum Theatre in November 2022. Ines de Ramon, who is a jewelry designer, was dressed casually, just like Pitt, as they attended the event.
In December 2022, Brad Pitt took Ines de Ramon to the Los Angeles premiere of his film *Babylon*. At the event, they were seen mingling with guests and sharing affectionate moments, marking their first public appearance together after dating for a few months.
The couple has also been spotted on vacation together. In January 2023, they were seen enjoying a trip to Cabo. Pitt was photographed shirtless by the pool, while de Ramon was sunbathing without her bikini top.
In November 2023, Pitt and de Ramon went to the LACMA’s 12th annual Art+Film Gala in Los Angeles. A source at the event said they were “super loving” and seemed to be having a great time together.
Their good times continued into December 2023, when Pitt turned 60. The couple celebrated with a romantic trip to Paris, staying at the luxurious Bulgari Hotel.
While in Paris, Pitt and de Ramon enjoyed a private dinner prepared by a chef and went to an Asaf Avidan concert at Théatre du Chatelet. They came back to Los Angeles just in time to celebrate de Ramon’s 32nd birthday.
Online users commented on the photos of Pitt and de Ramon’s Paris trip, noting that de Ramon resembled Jolie. One user asked, “Why do all the women he dates look very similar to Angelina?”
Some people agreed that de Ramon looks a bit like Jolie. One user mentioned, “The ‘type’ is familiar,” and another joked, “Angelina Jolie look alike… better have a prenup.” They noticed that both de Ramon and Jolie are brunettes.
However, not everyone agreed. Some people said de Ramon doesn’t look like Jolie. One person commented, “She is no Angie!” while another added, “She doesn’t look like Angelina!” Some users even compared Jolie to Jennifer Aniston, but one person strongly disagreed, saying, “Don’t ever put Jen and Angie in the same sentence. Ever.”
Angelina Jolie, who is an actress and director, met her ex-husband Brad Pitt when she was 28 years old on the set of “Mr. & Mrs. Smith” in 2003. Brad Pitt and Ines de Ramon started dating around 2022 when she was about 30 years old. Before her relationship with Pitt, de Ramon had separated from her ex-husband, Paul Wesley, who starred in “The Vampire Diaries,” earlier in 2022.
Paul Wesley, who was featured in People’s 2020 Sexiest Man Alive edition, had previously enjoyed relaxing at home with de Ramon and their dog Greg during the COVID-19 pandemic. Brad Pitt, who was named Sexiest Man Alive by People twice, in 1995 and 2000, has since moved on to his relationship with Ines de Ramon.
In 2022, a representative confirmed that Paul Wesley and Ines de Ramon had been living apart for several months before they decided to separate. They were married for over three years.
Before Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie was married to actor Billy Bob Thornton. Thornton reminisced about his time with Jolie, saying, “That was a great time. Angie is still a friend of mine and she’s a great person and she’s done so much.” He praised Jolie for her commitment to making meaningful movies, regardless of their success or failure. Thornton also noted that while they had different lifestyles, he will always respect her for staying true to herself.
Angelina Jolie is a well-known actress who won an Academy Award for her role in “Girl, Interrupted” in 1999. She has also starred in movies like “Maleficent,” “Salt,” and “Mr. & Mrs. Smith,” which featured her alongside Brad Pitt.
Jolie is deeply involved in international charity work, especially with refugee causes. She has a very public Instagram account with over 15 million followers, where she shares her work as a filmmaker, humanitarian, and mother of six children with Pitt.
In contrast, Ines de Ramon has a private Instagram account with 91,000 followers and follows only a few people. Her account is not as publicly focused as Jolie’s.
In 2023, people started speculating about Ines de Ramon and Angelina Jolie due to their connections with Brad Pitt. In August 2023, de Ramon was seen wearing a necklace with a “B” charm, which led to rumors. Some wondered if the charm was a tribute to Pitt, whose first name starts with the same letter.
Around the same time, Angelina Jolie got new tattoos on both her middle fingers. The tattoo artist, Mr. K, posted a picture on Instagram and asked fans to guess what the tattoos were. Some people thought the tattoos might be related to Brad Pitt, but Mr. K quickly clarified that the tattoos had nothing to do with Pitt.
Mr. K explained that the tattoos were “two daggers in a geometric abstract way” and had no religious meaning or connection to crosses. He apologized to Jolie for any stress caused by the speculation.
Both Jolie and Ines de Ramon are multilingual. De Ramon speaks French, Italian, Spanish, English, and German. She mentioned that she has French roots from her mother’s side, though she hasn’t explored them much. Her children also speak French and other languages besides English.
Brad Pitt’s relationship with Ines de Ramon has sparked interest due to her similarities to his ex-wife, Angelina Jolie. While both women have their own unique identities, they share several common traits: they have both dated Pitt, speak multiple languages, have similar physical features, and were in a similar age range when they first dated him.
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