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.

Brian woke up and found himself lying in the bed of the

happened last night but his drunkenness made

immediately attended to him, her voice laced with

you feeling? Do you

replied, "I'm sorry.I drank

around Anna's body and the bruises were

that he

fine.Don't worry about these bruises," she

no if she didn't want it

him made her willing to do anything for

word, Brian gathered his clothes

this opportunity so she

already dead.Let me be with you and make you happy.You

stilled and thought of what

slept with any woman since Ayla

by strong

to happen again? He knew he wouldn't

I keep Anna and let her be with

turned around and faced

with me.You can choose the life you want.One where you

her away to break free from her

done so much for me and

don't shut me out! I'm willing to do this for you.Even if you won't love me back, give me a chance to make you

for him grew stronger over the years.She wouldn't dare give up over his words and risk not having a chance at being with him

"I have held you back for

that you choose your

only had eyes for you

her world revolved

him her life so living and dying for

devastated Brian and she witnessed how painful it

the sea instead of Ayla, if it meant he wouldn't

much she

would always

his resolve melting at Anna's fervent words, Brian held her in

to love you or anyone else anymore," he

before but that

that this great love would also

couldn't bring himself to love again after what

where he

a chance to love you the

been surer of anything in her life than at

thought about this possibility too, but with her clear determined eyes looking up at him, he couldn't deny her anymore and finally

was sweating profusely as she curled up on her

sharp tingling from her bones spread

too

she could handle

each day, she endured the painful torture that

the last thing on

to see

he and Anna would get married soon, '

truly found happiness, she wouldn't think of quitting just

into relapse, her mind would be flooded with all things

She missed him terribly.

with her while

surface, she

down

into the room and

"Lala," he called.

her up carefully and leaned her against his

he patted her

soon," he reassured