The Substitute Bride: Making Memories Of Us (Lois Stone)

Brian stared at the woman in front of him for a long moment before saying, "Are you waiting for me to come back?"

He was probing, but his steely tone was ruthless.

Ayla merely looked at him wordlessly.She wasn't waiting for him, but she knew he didn't want to hear that.Her only option was to remain silent.

"Why don't you say something?"

Brian tightened his grip on her waist, his fingers digging painfully into her flesh.

"No," she said.

She knew he would be upset, but she didn't want to lie to him.

This was how they got along with each other.

Brian cocked his head as his gaze bore into her and said, "You are getting bolder and bolder with each passing day."

Although he was drunk, he still could steadily steer her towards the second floor.His swift movement made Ayla almost believe that he was sober.

The next morning, Lucas was standing at the school gate, a light gray overcoat around his shoulders as he waited for Ayla to show up.

As Brian drove, Ayla looked out of the window, annoyed.

She wouldn't be late for class if he hadn't forced her into sex this morning.

Luckily for her, it was wintertime and she could wear a turtleneck to cover the hickeys.

Facing her classmates would have been mortifying otherwise.

The car stopped at the school gate.

Brian's eyes found the figure waiting at the gate, but he didn't say a word to Ayla.

Instead, he drove away the moment she got out of the car.Ayla, on the other hand, hadn't noticed Lucas.

But when she turned to find him leaning leisurely against the gate, she was stunned.

"Why are you here, Mr.Collins?"

Lucas made a show of looking at his wristwatch and said, "You are late today."

Embarrassed, Ayla lowered her eyes to the ground.

"Why are you still standing there? Come on in!"

took her hand and led her into the school

about a meeting.Heads turned and whispers broke out as they walked in, hand in hand.Ayla withdrew her hand at once and sighed.She

didn't seem to hate Lucas

she had felt the warmth of family.She stood among

made the announcement that Lucas would be the new

stage, shocked, trying to process what the principal

a sense

of

enough, she avoided him for the next few

the library, where he had been waiting for her for three

the moment she walked out

I didn't mean to lie to you," Lucas said desperately, stepping in her path to stop

up at him and said, "I should

because she didn't want him to be involved in any kind of gossip.She didn't want

But it seemed inevitable.

Jealous women were horrible.

up random stories without any

spread the rumors that Ayla was going to dump the old man who kept her his mistress, that she was hooking up with the new vice principal, and that the two stayed at school late, had dinner, and went

them, because she couldn't stop

if you call me Lucas,"

his joyful smile that lit up

needed warmth and Brian was always cold and sneering

care what anyone says.Maybe I want what they

stunned.Was she hearing correctly? How could he

is that possible? I'm

ring glinted

had forced her to wear it, saying that he

and said, "This ring is too loose

"Let's go.I've been waiting for you for three hours.Would you

Ayla the

she could say anything, he had steered her into his luxury sports car and driven away from Melody

outside.I

Ayla a long time to utter these

it's now eight at night.I know you didn't eat much at noon.If you don't eat now, your body will become

know everything about ners. He not only knew that Brian had driven her to school these past couple of days, but also knew that she needed

was making her break this

ordered a hearty meal and said, "Eat, Ayla.You shouldn't waste

to pick up her chopsticks and

to the window, overlooking the entrance.They had