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

Ayla's body was pressed firmly on the couch making it difficult for her to ignore Brian's probing eyes.She looked away instead to evade his questions.

"Why don't you answer me? Does it hurt?" Brian asked as he searched her eyes for answers that her mouth wasn't willing to give.

Bending his head down, he gently kissed Ayla's scar.His lips left a trail of moisture that was impossible to ignore.

That scar would remain etched on her skin for a lifetime and it was a Clear representation of what he owed her.  

"It hurt," Ayla nodded.

No matter how painful the physical wounds were, they all belonged in the past now.

What kept her hurting was the emotional trauma he put her through.  "I'm sorry."

Brian spoke softly.

He remembered how she got that scar and no amount of apologies could turn back time and erase it.

Still, he wouldn't give up easily trying to win her heart.Biting her lower lip, Ayla pleaded, "Why can't you set me free? Why?"

Tears welled up in her eyes, a mixture of pain and anger that she couldn't quite release.

"I can promise anything else, except this one,"

Brian said with finality.  Ayla gasped in horror and exclaimed, "You devil!"

"So don't ever try to escape from me.Now that you're here, I will never let you go again.If ever you try to leave, I will come find you, understand?" he repeated as he gazed at her pointedly.

There was no sense arguing with him at this point.

Ayla broke free from his grasp and plucked the torn dress from the floor to cover her body.

Brian draped his suit jacket on her shoulders and said, "I'll ask someone to bring clothes for you here."

"No, thanks.There's no way for me to afford it," she countered to decline the offer.

Ayla didn't want to be regarded as a sexual partner.

She tried her hardest to recover from her bitter past and becoming like this would only waste her sacrifices.

"Well, if you hate me that much, it means that I'll be always in your heart." Brian grinned at her.

At the back of his mind, he thought, 'You can hate me.It is better to hate me than to forget me"

to him

that operation? Need I remind you that no matter how many times we have sex, I won't bear another child ever again and that's because of you,"

indifferent.If he would keep her shackled to him, she could very

loss for words as he stared at her unbelievably.He thought Ayla just wanted to stir up trouble and provoke him.Wasn't she afraid that

be done.You should go

let it fall to the floor.She didn't need it or anything from him

going out dressed like

a lesson because of how stubborn she was being, but he chose otherwise

go of her torn clothes and threw back a

what do you

in his arms and reminded her possessively, "I'm the only

a finger on her!  Ayla chose to keep her

the couch and not long after, Brian came back carrying a

you to dinner,"

shook her head

thanks.I prefer to eat

lose her appetite if she had dinner

had already changed his clothes for dinner as well, but for now,

she put on the new clothes, he said, "Okay, fine! Instant noodles, then.Let's not wait any

pulled her out of the studio and went

silence in the room was too unbearable for one's

few bites and Brian went on his way

tense nerves finally relaxed

like a huge boulder was lifted off her chest and she

wanting to waste any second, she headed to the bathroom and

tossed it into the trash

and soap would cleanse whatever he left on her body.

if he really wanted to continue with this? ‘Isn't there anything I can do for him to give up

would sleep with

make herself the kind of woman he hated, so he could finally let her go? If so, how far was she willing

this be worth it in the end?’ Ayla asked herself over and

  Meanwhile, Lucas drove to Ayla's apartment.He was a bit hesitant to go at first, since he wasn't sure if he should pay her a visit.He actually missed her so much, but he couldn't come see her

his neck upwards

you did before? Or will you come back to Brian without hesitation and throw yourself into his arms

been with Ayla every day.He should have faith

hurt her, she

saw that Brian's car had