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!"

and led her into the school square where Ayla

broke out as they walked in, hand in hand.Ayla withdrew her hand at

she didn't seem to hate Lucas holding

had felt the warmth of

the principal made the announcement that Lucas would be the new

looked at the stage, shocked, trying to process

in, a sense of betrayal descended

saw Ayla hurry out of the gathering

enough, she avoided him

library, where he had been waiting for

out of the library, and pursed

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

up at him and said, "I should call you Principal

had ignored him because she didn't want him to be involved in any kind

But it seemed inevitable.

Jealous women were horrible.

make up random stories without any truth to

man who kept her his mistress, that she was hooking up with the new vice principal, and that the two stayed at school

never explained anything to them, because she couldn't stop

mind if you call me Lucas," he said, flashing her a charming

at his joyful smile that lit up her world like a

woman who needed warmth and

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

at him, stunned.Was she hearing correctly? How could

that

ring glinted

had forced her to wear it, saying that he didn't want

the ring and said, "This ring is too loose for you.You are

pocketed it and said, "Let's go.I've been waiting for you for

Ayla the chance

he had steered her into

eat outside.I want to go

Ayla a long time

been busy all day and 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 weak" Lucas said,

to know everything about ners. He not only knew that Brian had driven her to school these

he was making her

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

but to pick up her chopsticks

a different booth in the same restaurant.Their seats were next to the window, overlooking the entrance.They had seen Ayla walking