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

 "You're the one who didn't stay true to your promise to Lala!" Brian exclaimed, while pointing accusingly at Toby.

Feeling the anger rolling off his body, he kept his steely gaze trained at Toby.

Toby was rendered speechless as Brian's words rang true in his ears.

'I did break my promise to Ayla, ' he thought regrettably.

However, it was undeniable that between the two of them, Brian hurt her the most.

"There's no excuse for what I did.I know that and I'm truly sorry for her.But you seem to forget that you caused her so much pain too,"

Toby managed to say.

At that, Brian stared at him, his eyes a mirror of questions.

"Lala loves you so much she couldn't bear to leave you," he continued.

Falling in love with someone wholeheartedly was no easy feat for a woman, but once she did, she would love that man deeply for as long as she could endure.

Reminiscing the past, Toby could still remember how Ayla decided to leave everything behind for the man she truly loved.

Like the selfless woman she was, Ayla made sure he would be fine despite her leaving.

"You and Molly have my blessing, Toby.I'm letting you go so you can be happy with her," he recalled Ayla saying.

Toby's words pierced through Brian's heart like a double-edged sword.

It dawned on him how much Ayla chose to give up just to be with him.

"You see, she chose you over me.She loved you so much and gave you all that she has, yet you did nothing but cause her pain.I will never forgive you for this! You missed your chance at having that one true love for wasting what she did for you.Now you lost her and you will pay the price," Toby vehemently said, as he left without a backward glance.

At that moment, Brian began to realize Ayla's efforts and sacrifice to keep the baby back then.

After he forced her to have an abortion, she demanded a ligation procedure out of sheer desperation.She gave up the hope to become a mother.

A drunk and wasted Brian was sprawled on the lounge when Anna arrived at the private room.

It was a first seeing him this way, since he knew how to control his drinking.

'Toby must have said something to make him drink this much, ' Anna thought disapprovingly.

"Brian, you have drunk too much.Let me drive you home," she said calmly as she held Brian by his upper arms.

Anna was trying to get him up the seat when his warm solid arms went around her slim waist and held her tightly.

"I'm sorry.I'm so sorry!"

Brian cried out.

Being drunk didn't help at all.

Memories of his difficult conversation with Toby still weighed him down and he mistakenly thought of Anna as Ayla.

Anna knew he was thinking about Ayla but she couldn't find it in herself to refuse him.She was willing to be a substitute.

When their lips met, she could taste a hint of spice from the wine he had been drinking.

"Forgive me," he muttered while keeping his lips close to hers.

Anna could only manage a slight nod as fresh tears wet her expressive eyes and streaked her supple cheeks.

Knowing he was still in love with a dead woman hurt her.

She had loved him for so long and she only wished he could love her back.

"Brian," Anna replied softly, her voice a tad louder than a whisper.

She would think of the consequences later, but on that night, she would be willing to do anything for him.

up and found himself lying in

tried hard to remember what happened last night but his drunkenness made

to him, her voice

you feeling?

shook his head and replied, "I'm sorry.I drank too much

body and

knew immediately that he lost

about these

no if she didn't

made her willing to do

Brian gathered his clothes

didn't want to waste this opportunity so she stood up

Ayla is already dead.Let me be with you and make

stilled and thought

slept with any

an accident, fueled by strong emotions and heaps of

again? He knew he wouldn't be capable of loving anyone else

her be with me for as long as possible?’' he

around and

the life you want.One where you won't have to settle

to break free from her

so much for me and

this for you.Even if you won't love me back,

over the years.She wouldn't dare give up over his words

fondly and insisted, "I have held you

you choose your own path and

about the future.I've only had eyes for you ever since we met.I couldn't possibly want anyone

world revolved around

and dying for

death devastated Brian and she witnessed how painful

instead of Ayla, if it meant he wouldn't have to feel that kind of

how much she loved

always put him

fervent words, Brian held her in

to

thought he'd fall in love before but that changed when he

would also cause him the greatest

couldn't bring himself to

understood where he was coming

a chance to love you the way you deserve to be loved." She said

anything in her life

this possibility too, but with her clear determined eyes looking up

she curled

tingling from her bones spread like wildfire all over her

too

could handle this agonizing pain

day, she endured the painful torture that rendered her weak

dying was the last thing

to see Brian happy with his

he and Anna would get

found happiness, she wouldn't think of quitting just

relapse, her mind would be flooded with all

She missed him terribly.

her while always ruthless

times when his dominance and indifference would surface, she was lucky enough to see his soft vulnerable

of bed and down to the floor.She couldn't bear the pain at

the room and found

"Lala," he called.

and leaned her against his broad

he patted her back

he reassured her in a calm