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.

in the bed of the lounge with Anna closely beside

to remember what happened last night but his drunkenness

him,

feeling? Do you

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

and the bruises were evident on

that he

worry about these bruises," she assured

no if she didn't want it to happen, but she chose not

her willing to do

a word, Brian gathered his clothes and

this opportunity so she stood

be with you and make you happy.You deserve it! I'm willing

thought of what she

slept with any woman since

fueled by strong

allow it to happen again? He knew he wouldn't be capable of loving

be with me

turned around and faced

the life you want.One where you

pushed her away to break free from her

much for me and

if you won't love me back, give me a chance to make you feel my love.I have always loved you," she

dare give up over his words and risk not

at her fondly and insisted, "I have held you back for

your own path and think about your

"I don't care about the future.I've only had eyes for you ever since

world revolved

dying for him didn't sound so bad

she witnessed how

into the sea instead of Ayla, if it meant he wouldn't have to feel that

how much she

always

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

to love

love before but that changed when he

this great love would also cause

why he couldn't bring himself to

where

you to reciprocate my feelings.Just give me a chance to love you the way you

surer of anything in her

but with her clear determined eyes looking up at him, he couldn't deny her anymore and finally

as she curled

spread like wildfire all over

too much!" she

know if she could

twice each day, she endured the painful torture that rendered

was the last

to see Brian happy with

get

unless she was sure that he truly found happiness,

her mind would

She missed him terribly.

was sometimes tender with her while always

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

bed and down to the floor.She

the

"Lala," he called.

carefully and

relax, he patted

he reassured her in a calm soothing