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!"

her into the school square

notice 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 was afraid that she would be misunderstood

seem to hate

the warmth of family.She stood among the

enough, the principal made the announcement that Lucas would be the new

trying to

a sense of betrayal

of the gathering without meeting his

avoided him for the next

the library, where he had

moment she walked out of

still angry with me, Ayla? I didn't mean to lie to you," Lucas said desperately, stepping

at him and said, "I should call you Principal

didn't want him to be involved in any kind of gossip.She didn't want her classmates talking

But it seemed inevitable.

Jealous women were horrible.

could make up random stories

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,

never explained anything to them, because she couldn't

you call me Lucas," he said, flashing

his joyful smile that lit up her world

a woman who needed warmth and Brian was always cold

her face and said, "Ayla, I don't care what anyone says.Maybe I want what they

at him, stunned.Was she hearing

is that possible?

big diamond ring glinted on

forced her to wear it, saying that he didn't want other men to get close to

head, Lucas took off the ring and said, "This ring is too loose for you.You are still a student.You shouldn't be

pocketed it and said, "Let's go.I've been waiting for you for three hours.Would you like to have dinner

give Ayla

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

eat outside.I want

a long

noon.If you

He not only knew that Brian had driven her to school these past couple of days, but also knew that she

was making her

hearty meal and said, "Eat,

but to pick up her

the same restaurant.Their seats were next to the window, overlooking the entrance.They had seen Ayla walking in hand in hand with