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.

himself lying in the

remember what happened last

attended to him, her voice

feeling? Do you have

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

body and

knew immediately that

worry about

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

made her willing to do anything

gathered his clothes

waste this opportunity so she

already dead.Let me be with you

thought of what she

hadn't slept with any woman since Ayla

night was an accident, fueled by strong emotions

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

I keep Anna and let her be with me for as long

turned around

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

her away to break free from her

done so much for

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

him grew stronger over the years.She wouldn't dare give up over his words and risk not having

at her fondly and insisted, "I have

your own path and think about your

the future.I've only had eyes for you ever since we met.I couldn't possibly want anyone else but

Anna, her world revolved around

dying for him

witnessed how painful it was

if it meant he wouldn't have to feel that kind of

much

would always put him

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

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

fall in love before but that

that this great love would also cause

couldn't bring himself

understood where he was coming

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

anything in her life than at that

too, but with her clear determined eyes looking

was sweating profusely as she

bones spread like wildfire all over

too

could handle this agonizing

each day, she endured the painful torture that rendered her weak

dying was the last thing

to see Brian happy with

he and Anna would get married

was sure that he truly found

mind would be flooded with all things about

She missed him terribly.

was sometimes tender with her while always ruthless

surface, she was

down to the floor.She couldn't bear the

noise from outside, Lucas rushed into the room and found

"Lala," he called.

her up carefully and

her to relax, he patted her back

over soon," he reassured