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

happened last night but

attended to him,

feeling? Do you

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

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

that he lost

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

knew she could have refused and said no if she didn't want it to

love for him made her willing to

gathered his clothes

opportunity so she stood up

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

stilled and thought of what

any woman since Ayla

by strong

He knew he wouldn't be

her be with me

turned around and faced

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

pushed her away to break free from her

much for me and I don't deserve

do this for you.Even if you won't love me back, give me a chance

over

her fondly and insisted, "I have held you back

about time that you choose your own path

she continued, "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 after

witnessed how painful it was for

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

was how much she

always

at Anna's fervent words, Brian held her in

it in me to love you or anyone else

thought he'd fall in love before but that changed

great love would also cause him the greatest

he couldn't bring himself to love again

understood where he was coming

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

surer of anything in her life

I destroy her eventually?'’ Brian thought about this possibility too, but with her clear determined eyes looking up at him, he couldn't deny her

was sweating profusely as she curled up

spread

too

didn't know if she could handle this

painful torture that rendered

dying was the

wanted to see Brian

get married soon, ' she

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

her mind would be flooded with

She missed him terribly.

sometimes tender with her while always ruthless

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

down to the

the noise from outside, Lucas rushed into the room and found her face twisted in

"Lala," he called.

her up carefully and

her to relax, he patted her back

he reassured her in a