Christmas Eve always carried a weight I could never shake. As I slid into the back seat of the taxi, the world around me blurred into sleep, and I let it. When I awoke, it wasn’t to the sight of home, but to a cold, abandoned room.
The sterile white lights of the hospital hallway buzzed above me, a constant reminder of my exhaustion from back-to-back night shifts. Christmas Eve in the ER was no different from any other day—chaotic, loud, and unforgiving.
Tired female nurse | Source: Midjourney
But tonight, there was a promise of something waiting at home: Jeremy, my boyfriend of four years, a man who could light up the darkest room with his smile.
“Hey, you done?” He had called just before my shift ended, excitement brimming in his voice. “I got the tree lit, cider on the stove, and even put on that ridiculous sweater you hate. You’re gonna love it.”
I forced a laugh, the kind that came naturally when he talked about Christmas. Jeremy adored the holiday. It was in his DNA, something passed down through generations of festive gatherings with his family.
Family celebrating Christmas | Source: Midjourney
I wanted to love it too. But Christmas to me was an empty chair at a table I never got to sit at. It was just a reminder of the hollow space where my parents should have been. Growing up in an orphanage, I’d learned only bits and pieces about my parents: my mother had died when I was young, and I didn’t know much about my dad.
So for me, Christmas wasn’t a celebration; it was an ache, a reminder of everything I’d lost before I could even understand what it meant.
I shook off the thought and stepped outside, shivering as the winter air hit me. Just then, a yellow cab pulled up to the curb. The driver leaned over, gave a small nod, and smiled as if he knew me. “Megan?”
Nurse standing next to a yellow taxi | Source: Midjourney
“Yeah, that’s me.” I opened the back door and slid in, the leather seats cool beneath me. The exhaustion that had settled in my bones for the past 48 hours took over, and before I knew it, I was asleep.
It was the sudden silence that woke me. I blinked, expecting to see the familiar blur of streetlights through rain-slicked windows.
Instead, darkness surrounded me, oppressive and still. My breath quickened, and I realized the driver was gone. The taxi, too, was eerily still, parked in what looked like an abandoned garage.
Worried woman inside a taxi | Source: Midjourney
“Hello?” My voice came out weak, swallowed by the shadows.
I reached for my phone, but my fingers met an empty pocket. Panic shot up my spine as I heard it—a faint creak that cut through the silence. A thin line of light stretched across the floor as the door slowly opened, and in its glow, I saw a silhouette.
My pulse thundered in my ears as I strained to make sense of where I was. The cab, once a safe, familiar space, now felt like a cage.
Worried woman inside a taxi | Source: Midjourney
“Hello?” I called again, louder this time, but the silence pressed back, heavier than before. The beam of light grew, inch by inch until it fell on the face of a stranger.
“Who are you?” I demanded, my voice cracking.
The man didn’t answer immediately. Instead, he stepped forward, the door creaking wider behind him. As he moved into the dim light, I could see the sharp angles of his face. His coat was thick and dark, the kind worn to keep out a bitter chill.
Man in an abandoned garage | Source: Midjourney
“Megan Price, right?” His voice was low, and practiced, like he knew he needed to keep it steady to control the situation.
“Why do you know my name?” I shifted in the back seat, my fingers brushing the door handle.
He exhaled, almost impatiently, and glanced at the cab, then back at me. “You’re not in any danger. I need you to come with me. There’s something you need to know.”
I laughed sarcastically. “Is that what people say when they’re about to kidnap someone? Because it’s not very reassuring.”
Scared young woman | Source: Midjourney
“To be honest,” he said, voice thick with something that made my chest constrict, “I was against the fact that we scared you so much. Your boyfriend made it all up.” His smile was a shaky mask, an attempt to soften the bombshell he was about to drop.
My mind stumbled over the words, trying to piece together the implications. Jeremy? My confusion surged into anger, hot and immediate. “What do you mean, my boyfriend made it up? Who are you?” My voice cracked as the last word tumbled out, raw and desperate.
Scared young woman talking to a stranger | Source: Midjourney
The man’s eyes glistened with unshed tears, and he took a step closer. “I know this is… overwhelming,” he said, his voice wavering, “but I had no choice. We had no choice.”
A painful silence hung between us. My breath came in short, every exhale shaking with disbelief. The man’s expression crumbled, and he looked down as if ashamed. When he spoke again, his voice was barely above a whisper.
Close-up shot of a 50 year old garage | Source: Midjourney
“But I am… your father, daughter.” His eyes met mine, and this time, a tear escaped, tracing a line down the deep creases of his face. He swallowed hard and covered his mouth as if it could stop the wave of emotion threatening to break.
“No,” I breathed, the word almost inaudible. My legs weakened as I tried to piece everything together.
Scared woman talking to a stranger | Source: Midjourney
The man—my father—stood before me, shoulders slumped under the weight of emotion, but I stayed frozen in place. The word father felt sharp and unfamiliar like I’d stumbled across a shard of glass in my path.
For years, I’d pictured my parents in distant, shadowy forms, and now here was a real, flesh-and-blood person claiming he was part of me. My body ached to trust him, to accept this lost piece, but my mind held me back.
Jeremy must’ve sensed my hesitation. He stepped up, holding a crumpled envelope. “Megan, I know it’s hard to believe. But here—this is the proof. It’s a DNA test. I wanted to be sure before… well, before I put you through this.”
Young man smiling holding an envelope | Source: Midjourney
I looked down at the envelope, my heart pounding. “How… how did you even do this? How did you find him?”
Jeremy let out a sigh, glancing at the man and then back to me. “I know you never thought about searching, but… I did. Two years ago, I decided to look into your family, quietly, just in case it would mean something to you one day.”
He pulled me closer, his voice tender but firm. “I knew how much not having your family haunted you, especially at Christmas. So I started hiring people—private detectives, researchers. I went down every lead until we finally found a trail.”
Couple having a deep conversation | Source: Midjourney
The man—my supposed father—shifted his weight, rubbing his eyes as though he couldn’t quite believe it either.
“It wasn’t easy,” Jeremy continued, his voice lowering. “I found out that… well, after your mother got pregnant, she never told him. He had no idea you existed.”
I felt the sting of that, the realization that my mother—a woman I’d only known through childhood fantasies—had chosen to leave me at an orphanage and walk away. She’d vanished into the background of my life without ever telling this man… my father… what she’d done.
Woman in deep thoughts | Source: Midjourney
“She died several years ago,” Jeremy went on gently. “But I tracked down her sister. She lives in Eastern Europe, and after some long talks, she told me there was one person who could be your father. So, I reached out.”
I looked back at the man, a wave of guarded resentment and longing roiling inside me. “And he just… accepted it? Just like that?”
Jeremy nodded slowly, searching my face. “He was shocked, of course. It was only once I told him about you that he agreed to come, but I wanted to be certain. I wanted proof. So, one night I… I took a few strands of hair from your brush.”
Couple having a deep conversation | Source: Midjourney
My stomach twisted at the thought of it, the quiet lengths Jeremy had gone to, the hours, the money, all without me knowing. The man across from me—my father—clenched his jaw, his own hand trembling slightly. His eyes were locked on mine, an expression of cautious hope and deep pain in their depths.
“I did’n’t know about you, Megan,” he said, his voice thick, fighting back tears. “I didn’t know you existed until recently, and I… I didn’t believe it at first. But seeing you…” His voice faltered, and he glanced away, struggling to regain his composure.
Father and daughter talking | Source: Midjourney
The weight of his words settled heavily over me, and I took a shaky breath, my heart both heavy and fractured. “You were never there,” I murmured, a trace of bitterness slipping out. “I grew up without you. Without any of you.”
He took a step closer, then stopped, respecting the distance I maintained between us. “I don’t know if I can ever make up for that, Megan,” he said, voice raw. “I don’t even know if you’ll ever be able to forgive me. But if you let me… I’d like to be here now.”
Father and daughter talking | Source: Midjourney
Silence hung between us, thick with the years lost and the strange, uncertain possibility of the years ahead. The truth, the aching reality of what I’d been told, lay there, its edges sharp and unfamiliar. I didn’t know if I could open myself to him, didn’t know if I even wanted to.
But Jeremy’s hand tightened around mine, grounding me, reminding me that maybe… just maybe… I didn’t have to go through it all alone.
Man talking to his girlfriend | Source: Midjourney
Taking a tentative step forward, I met the man’s gaze, that mix of hope and regret in his eyes. My voice shook as I finally spoke, letting my guard down just enough to let him hear a crack in the wall I’d built.
“I don’t know if I can call you Dad yet,” I whispered. “But… I think I’d like to know you.”
His face softened, and for a moment, the years that separated us fell away. A tear slipped down his cheek as he managed a small, hopeful smile.
Father and daughter bonding | Source: Midjourney
“That’s all I could ask for, Megan. Thank you,” he said, his voice trembling with gratitude.
And as the lights from the upstairs Christmas tree spilled down the stairs, I allowed myself to take a step toward something I’d never thought I’d have—a father, and maybe, just maybe, a new family.
Young couple celebrating Christmas | Source: Midjourney
Loved this story? Don’t miss another unforgettable one: On Christmas night, I realized my 9-year-old daughter and my car keys were missing.
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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