When Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston split, the world went silent. But as much as fans were devastated over the failed romance, they were as eager and as excited to see how the on-screen relationship between the Once Upon a Time in Hollywood star and actress Angelina Jolie will proceed in real life.
Eventually, Brad and Angelina became a thing.
Sadly, the couple called it quits years later, when Jolie filed for divorce in 2016, shortly after the news of an alleged incident involving Pitt and the couple’s oldest son Maddox on the family’s private plane emerged.
Although no one knows what really happened, the alleged child abuse was investigated by the FBI and the Los Angeles Department of Child and Family Services, and Pitt was cleared of any child abuse allegations almost immediately, as per US Weekly.
The divorce and the lengthy custody battle between Pitt and Jolie is remembered as one of the nastiest ones in recent times when it comes to celebrity couples.
On January 21, 2021, Jolie emailed her ex-husband, and that email became public. In it, she states that she writes “with a heavy heart,” informing Pitt of her decision to sell Miraval, “a business that is centered around alcohol.” Many believe this is a reference to the above mentioned plane incident during which Pitt allegedly chocked Maddox and then poured alcohol on her and the children.
The Maleficent star further wrote, “Even now impossible to write this without crying.
“Above all, it is the place we brought the twins home to, and where we were married over a plaque in my mother’s memory. A place…where I thought I would grow old…. But it is also the place that marks the beginning of the end of our family.
“Miraval for me died September 2016,” she continued, “and everything I have seen in the years since has sadly confirmed that.”
In February 2021, Pitt agreed to pay Jolie $54.5 million to buy her stake in Miraval. However, the business deal was affected by their ongoing divorce proceedings.
She submitted sealed documents which involved information regarding the plane incident, after which Pitt asked Jolie to sign an NDA which prohibited her from “discussing outside of court any of Pitt’s personal conduct toward her or the family” for the sale of the property.
Jolie dubbed the request an “unconscionable gag order.”
But Pitt framed his request as vital toward the sale as he wanted to “ensure the seller doesn’t damage the value of the asset after being paid for it.”
On October 5, 2021, Jolie Nouvel, the holding company which controlled her portion of shаrеs for Miraval to Tenute del Mondo, the wine division of the Stoli group controlled by Russian billionaire Yuri Shefler, for $67 million.
“It is not a coincidence that she sold her interest in Miraval to an adversarial party, and part of the family home to a stranger, right after a judge granted Brad a huge win: 50-50 custody,” a source close to Pitt shаrеd with ET Online. John Ouderkirk, the judge who had awarded Pitt joint custody was later removed from the case by a panel of three judges, and his ruling was vacated.
In February 2022, Pitt filed a lawsuit against his ex, her holding company, and the new owners of Miraval claiming that Jolie had “contributed nothing to Miraval’s success.” Stoli filed a cross-complaint “for the illegal and malicious actions of Pitt and his allies to injure Nouvel by devaluing its investments and depriving it of its proper role in the management of Chateau Miraval, the world-famous producer of rosé wine.”
Pitt filed an amended complaint seeking to have Jolie’s sale of Nouvel reversed on June 1, 2023.
“Brad has owned everything he’s responsible for from day one, but he’s not going to own anything he didn’t do,” Anne Kiley, who represents Pitt said.
Following the fuss surrounding their divorce, Pitt has moved on and is now dating someone else.
“Brad is very careful and intentional about who he dates. He likеs to ease into things and let things grow naturally,” a source said.
Rumors are that Pitt’s new girlfriend is Ines de Ramon, who was famously married to Paul Wesley of Vampire Diaries fame. People close to the couple say they are “happy being low-key.”
“Brad and Ines are still seeing each other and having fun. They enjoy each other’s company and have similar interests. They’re both creative, likе to travel, and are happy being low-key. Things are good between them, but Brad isn’t rushing anything,” the source clarified.
As per Entertainment Tonight, the couple was spotted together in December 2022. “It is still new, but they are seeing where things go and likе each other,” a source revealed at the time. “They are having a good time together.”
They were vacationing in Mexico together.
Whether or not he introduced her to his children has not yet been revealed, but people close to him say she’s in the room when he speaks to his kids.
Ines was spotted wearing a charm necklace with the letter B hanging on and it’s not confirmed whether if it’s in honor of her new love.
My MIL Demanded to Sit Between Me and Her Son at Our Wedding – She Didn’t Expect Me to Agree So Easily
When Julia’s future mother-in-law, Patricia, demanded a seat between her and Ethan at their wedding, it seemed like another over-the-top move in a long list of controlling behaviors. But Julia’s response wasn’t what anyone expected.
When I agreed to Patricia’s absurd demand on my wedding day, I saw the look of triumph on her face. She thought she’d won, and that I’d back down like I always had before.
But this time was different. This time, I had a plan that would make her re-evaluate her actions.
A woman standing in her bedroom | Source: Midjourney
When I got engaged to Ethan, I knew I wasn’t just marrying him.
I was also marrying into his tight-knit, borderline suffocating relationship with his mother, Patricia. She loved Ethan fiercely, and while that’s usually a good thing, in this case, it felt like I was competing with her for his attention.
From the moment we announced our engagement, Patricia seemed to think it was her wedding, not mine.
A man holding a woman’s hand | Source: Pexels
“Oh, Julia, lilies are too plain for a wedding,” she’d said during our first meeting with the florist, wrinkling her nose. “Roses are more elegant. Ethan loves roses, don’t you, sweetheart?”
Ethan had nodded absentmindedly, scrolling on his phone.
I just smiled as I reminded myself to pick my battles. But it wasn’t just the flowers.
The thing is, she had opinions on everything. And guess what? She even had the audacity to tell me what to wear on my big day.
A mature woman looking straight ahead | Source: Midjourney
“Are you sure you want to wear something so… fitted?” she asked during a fitting. “It might be uncomfortable for the ceremony.”
I laughed it off, but deep down, I was fuming.
I let it slide because I knew arguing with Patricia meant trying to move a boulder uphill. Explaining anything to her wasn’t worth the effort because she had this ‘I-know-I-am-always-right’ kind of attitude.
A woman standing in a living room | Source: Midjourney
One evening, I invited her over for dinner, hoping to bridge the gap.
I spent hours cooking Ethan’s favorite lasagna from scratch, with garlic bread and a Caesar salad.
When she arrived, I greeted her warmly, trying to make her feel welcome.
When Ethan tasted the lasagna, he couldn’t help but praise my cooking skills.
“Wow, this is amazing, Jules!” he said. “I love it!”
But Patricia couldn’t watch her son speak in my favor.
“Well, of course, it’s good,” she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm. “Lasagna isn’t exactly rocket science, is it?”
A dish of lasagna | Source: Pexels
Ethan didn’t even notice what her mother said, while I could feel my cheeks burning.
“I’m glad you like it, Ethan,” I said softly, forcing myself to stay calm.
Later that evening, as I cleared the plates, she cornered me in the kitchen.
A woman standing in a house | Source: Midjourney
“Julia,” she began, “I know you mean well, but a man like Ethan needs more than just a pretty face and a passable lasagna. Marriage is a lot of work, dear.”
I wanted to snap back, to tell her to stop undermining me in my own home. But instead, I nodded and said, “Thank you for the advice, Patricia. I’ll keep that in mind.”
The incidents kept piling up.
A woman standing a window | Source: Pexels
Like the time she “accidentally” booked a weekend spa trip with Ethan the same weekend we had planned to visit a venue.
“Oh, I didn’t realize you’d made plans,” she said, feigning innocence. “Ethan, you’ll still come with me, won’t you?”
And, of course, he did.
But even with all of that, I never expected Patricia to pull a stunt at the wedding itself.
That was the moment I realized I couldn’t stay silent anymore.
A bride standing at her wedding | Source: Pexels
The day of the wedding was beautiful.
Bright skies, a gentle breeze, and the kind of warmth that made everything feel just right.
I should’ve been focused on the joy of marrying Ethan, but the moment Patricia arrived, it was clear the spotlight wasn’t mine to keep.
She stepped out of her car in a white, floor-length lace dress with glittering rhinestones, a small train trailing behind her.
A woman in a white gown | Source: Midjourney
For a second, I thought she’d accidentally swapped dresses with me. Then I realized it wasn’t an accident.
“Ethan, darling! Look at you!” Patricia beamed, rushing over to him as I stood just a few feet away. “Doesn’t he look like the most handsome man in the world, Julia?” she asked, not waiting for an answer as she smoothed his tie and kissed his cheek.
I smiled tightly. “He does, Patricia. You must be so proud.”
“Oh, I am,” she gushed. “He’s always been my rock, my number one.”
A woman at her son’s wedding | Source: Midjourney
That was Patricia’s signature move. To make sure everyone knew exactly where she stood in Ethan’s life.
At that point, I reminded myself to breathe. This was my day, not hers. Or at least, it was supposed to be.
When it was time for the reception, I was ready to let go of the small jabs and focus on enjoying the evening.
A woman in her wedding gown | Source: Midjourney
Ethan and I walked to the head table, hand in hand, smiling at our guests. But just as we reached our seats, I noticed Patricia hovering nearby.
Before I could process what was happening, she grabbed a chair from a nearby table, dragged it loudly across the floor, and wedged it right between Ethan and me.
“There!” she announced, plopping down with a smug smile. “Now I can sit next to my son. I wouldn’t want to miss a moment with him on such a special day.”
A mature woman at her son’s wedding reception | Source: Midjourney
A ripple of gasps spread through the room.
I glanced at Ethan, waiting for him to say something, anything, to put this situation right.
Instead, he just shrugged.
“Patricia, this is the bride and groom’s table,” I said. “We’re supposed to sit together.”
But Patricia wasn’t one of those people who’d understand so easily.
“Oh, Julia,” she sighed. “Don’t be so sensitive. I am the most important woman in his life, and I always will be. You should respect that.”
A man at his wedding | Source: Midjourney
That’s when Ethan finally spoke up. But he didn’t say what I wanted him to.
“It’s fine, babe,” he said, as if this were no big deal. “It’s just a chair.”
Just a chair, I thought. Just a chair? Alright.
“You know what, Patricia?” I said with a sweet smile. “You’re absolutely right. Let’s do it your way.”
Her face lit up with surprise, and she grinned as though she’d won.
Little did she know, I had a plan in my mind that would make her face flush with embarrassment.
A young woman thinking about her plan | Source: Midjourney
Patricia leaned back in her chair, basking in what she clearly thought was her victory.
Meanwhile, Ethan busied himself greeting guests as though nothing unusual had happened.
I stayed seated for a few minutes as I forced a smile and pretended to go along with the charade. But inside, I was seething.
“Excuse me for a moment,” I said, standing up and smoothing my dress. “I need to step away for a bit.”
Neither Patricia nor Ethan paid much attention as I walked toward the hallway.
A bride walking away | Source: Midjourney
Once I was out of sight, I pulled out my phone to make an important call.
“Hi, this is Julia,” I said, my voice calm and composed despite the fire burning inside me. “I need to make a last-minute adjustment to the cake. Yes, I know it’s short notice, but it’s really important.”
The person on the other end hesitated for a moment before asking for details. I smiled to myself, knowing this would be worth every extra penny.
A woman standing in a hallway | Source: Midjourney
“I’ll send you a photo right now,” I continued. “Just follow the instructions, and make sure it’s delivered before the cake cutting. Can you make it happen?”
The answer was a tentative yes, and I quickly sent over the picture and specifics.
“Perfect,” I said. “Thank you so much.”
After hanging up, I took a moment to collect myself, adjusting my veil and letting the grin tugging at the corners of my lips fade into a neutral expression.
A close-up shot of a woman’s lips | Source: Pexels
By the time I returned to the head table, Patricia was still holding court, reliving one of Ethan’s childhood stories for the hundredth time.
I sat down quietly, keeping my eyes on her and mentally counting down the moments until my plan unfolded.
Then came the time for the first dance, and I was ready for Patricia’s next move.
Sure enough, as the music started and Ethan extended a hand toward me, Patricia swooped in like a hawk.
A woman ready for the dance | Source: Midjourney
“Oh, Ethan, let’s show them how it’s done!” she said, grabbing his hand and practically dragging him to the dance floor before I could respond.
I stood there and watched as they swayed to the music.
Patricia beamed as she danced with her son, while the guests exchanged uneasy glances.
“That’s… unusual,” I heard one guest murmur.
“Isn’t the first dance supposed to be with the bride?” another whispered.
But I just smiled, keeping my expression serene. If anyone thought I was upset, they were wrong.
This was all going exactly how I wanted it to.
A woman smiling at the camera | Source: Midjourney
After what felt like an eternity, Ethan finally returned to the table.
“Sorry about that,” he mumbled as he sat down.
“It’s fine,” I lied.
I glanced at Patricia, who was enjoying the attention she thought she’d stolen.
And then came the moment I’d been waiting for. The cake cutting.
The lights dimmed, and my bridesmaids carried in the three-tiered masterpiece, sparklers flickering as the crowd clapped and cheered.
Patricia’s smile widened as the cake approached, but when it came fully into view, she looked at it with wide eyes.
A close-up shot of a woman’s face | Source: Midjourney
Perched on top of the cake were two figurines, and they were not of a bride and groom.
Instead, they showed a groom and his mother, posed arm-in-arm. The resemblance was uncanny. Ethan’s tie and Patricia’s pearl necklace were all there.
“Surprise!” I cheered. “How’s the cake, Patricia?”
“Julia…” she stammered, her voice trembling. “W-What is this supposed to mean?”
A woman standing outdoors | Source: Midjourney
I stood up slowly with the microphone in my hand.
“Patricia, Ethan,” I smiled as I looked at them. “I wanted to honor the bond you two share. It’s clear to everyone here that you’re the real pair of the evening. So, please cut this beautiful symbol of your relationship together. You deserve it.”
The room erupted into murmurs, a few stifled giggles escaping here and there. Patricia’s hands shook as I placed the knife in her grasp.
“Go on,” I said sweetly. “Everyone’s watching.”
A woman at her wedding reception | Source: Midjourney
Patricia looked to Ethan, her eyes pleading, but he was too stunned to speak.
“Julia,” she hissed through gritted teeth. “This is inappropriate.”
“Inappropriate?” I echoed with mock surprise. “Oh, Patricia, don’t be so sensitive. After all, you’re the most important woman in his life. Isn’t that what you’ve been telling me?”
A ripple of laughter spread through the guests, and I knew I had them on my side. Meanwhile, Patricia’s friends exchanged awkward glances. They felt clearly uncomfortable with the spectacle.
Two women attending the wedding reception of their friend’s son | Source: Midjourney
I leaned into the microphone one last time. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have better things to do than fight for scraps of attention on my own wedding day.”
I turned on my heel, signaled to my bridesmaids, and walked out of the reception.
Behind me, I heard chairs shuffle, whispers grow louder, and the faint clinking of glasses. The crowd was beginning to disperse, leaving Patricia and Ethan in the awkward spotlight.
A close-up shot of a woman with a serious look | Source: Midjourney
By the time we reached the limo, my bridesmaids and I were laughing so hard, we could barely breathe.
We popped champagne and toasted to freedom. They understood why I’d decided not to marry Ethan.
Later, I heard Patricia tried to save face, but even her closest friends had their limits.
“You brought this on yourself,” one reportedly told her.
And Ethan? Well, he did come begging for another chance, but I was done. I canceled the marriage license the next morning and officially closed that chapter of my life.
A woman standing in a hallway | Source: Midjourney
No regrets, and no second thoughts. Just a massive amount of relief and the knowledge that Patricia finally got the attention she always craved.
What would you have done if you were in my shoes?
If you enjoyed reading this story, here’s another one you might like: Caught in the whirlwind of wedding bliss and familial conflict, Candice’s story unravels at the seams when her mother-in-law’s antics push her to a breaking point.
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.
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