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

happened last night

to him, her voice laced

feeling? Do you have a

replied, "I'm sorry.I drank too much

his eyes roam around Anna's body and the bruises were evident

that

about these bruises," she

refused and said no if she didn't want it to happen, but

her willing

word, Brian gathered his

want to waste this opportunity so

"Brian, Ayla is already dead.Let me be with you and make you happy.You deserve it! I'm

thought of

hadn't slept with any

by strong emotions and heaps

wouldn't be capable of loving anyone else after what

be with me for as long as possible?’'

turned around

to tie yourself up with me.You can choose the life you want.One where you won't have to settle for

away to break

done so much for me and I

back, give me a chance to make you feel my love.I have

over his words and risk not

"I have held you

that you choose your own path

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

Anna, her world revolved

her life so living and dying for him didn't sound

devastated Brian and she witnessed how

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

was how much she

would always put

fervent words, Brian held her in his arms tightly

me to love

in love before but that changed when

would also cause him

bring himself to

completely understood where he was coming

a chance to love you the way

surer of anything in her life

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

profusely as she curled up on

from her bones spread

too much!" she

could handle this

each day, she endured the painful torture that

dying was the last thing

to see

Anna would get married soon, ' she

she was sure that he truly found happiness, she wouldn't

into relapse, her mind would

She missed him terribly.

sometimes tender with her while always

times when his dominance and indifference would surface,

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

into the room and found her face twisted

"Lala," he called.

helped her up carefully and leaned her against

her to relax, he

over soon," he reassured her