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!"

hand and led her into the school square where Ayla noticed a crowd

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

didn't seem to hate Lucas holding her

she had felt the warmth of family.She stood among the

announcement that Lucas would be the new vice

the stage, shocked, trying to process what the principal

it did sink in, a sense of betrayal descended upon

saw Ayla hurry out of the gathering without

him for the next

with her outside the library, where he had been waiting for her for

moment she walked out of the library, and pursed

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

and said, "I should call you Principal

any kind of gossip.She didn't want her classmates talking about him behind his

But it seemed inevitable.

Jealous women were horrible.

stories without

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,

to them, because she couldn't stop them from

Lucas," he said,

his joyful smile that lit up her world

warmth and

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

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

is that

diamond ring glinted

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

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

waiting for you for three

give Ayla the

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

can't eat outside.I want to

long

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, his eyes never leaving the

that Brian had driven her to school these past couple of days, but also knew that she needed to go back on

today, he was making her break this

hearty meal and said, "Eat, Ayla.You

choice but to

to the window, overlooking