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.

next morning, Brian woke up and found himself lying in the bed of the lounge with Anna

to remember what happened last night but his drunkenness

attended to him, her voice laced

how are you feeling? Do

his head and replied, "I'm sorry.I

his eyes roam around Anna's body and

that he

fine.Don't worry about

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

made her willing to do anything for

a word, Brian gathered his clothes and

want to waste this opportunity so she stood up and embraced him from

voice she pleaded, "Brian, Ayla is already dead.Let me be with

thought

with any

by strong emotions and

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

I keep Anna and let her be with me for as long as possible?’' he

turned around and

up with me.You can choose the life you want.One where you won't have

to break

so much for me and I

you.Even if you won't love me back, give me a chance to make you

give up over his words and risk not having a chance at being with

her fondly and insisted, "I have held you back

your own path and think about your

only had eyes for you ever since we

Anna, her world

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

witnessed how painful

of Ayla, if it meant he wouldn't have to

how much she loved

always put him

at Anna's fervent words, Brian held her

it in me to love you or anyone else anymore,"

before but that changed when

would also cause him the

why he couldn't bring himself to

where he

you the way you deserve to be loved." She said all

in her

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

sweating profusely as she curled

her bones spread like

too much!" she

could handle this agonizing pain

day, she endured the painful torture that rendered

the pain, dying was the

to see

and Anna would get married soon, ' she

found

her mind

She missed him terribly.

was sometimes tender with her while always ruthless to

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

down to the floor.She couldn't

rushed into the room and found her face twisted in

"Lala," he called.

and leaned her

relax, he patted her back

on.It'll be over soon," he reassured her in a calm soothing