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.

lying in the bed

happened last night but

to him, her voice laced with

you feeling? Do

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

and the bruises were evident on her

that

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

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

him made her willing to do anything for

Brian gathered his clothes and started getting

opportunity so she stood up and embraced him

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

and thought of what

hadn't slept with any woman since

an accident, fueled by strong emotions

happen again? He knew he wouldn't

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

turned around and faced

you don't have to tie yourself up with me.You can choose the life you want.One

away to break free from her

much for me and

won't love me back, give

over the years.She wouldn't dare give up over his

and insisted, "I

choose your own path and think about

"I don't care about the future.I've only had eyes for you ever since we met.I couldn't possibly want anyone

Anna, her world revolved around

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

and she witnessed how painful it

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

how much she loved

would always put him

Anna's fervent words, Brian held her in his arms

I don't have it in me to love you or anyone else

love before but

would

why he couldn't bring himself to love again after what

where he

to reciprocate my feelings.Just give me a chance to love you the way you deserve to be loved." She said all this with utmost

surer of anything in

if 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 anymore

as she curled

bones spread like wildfire

too

if she could handle this agonizing pain

twice each day, she endured the painful

dying was the last

wanted to see Brian happy with his

would get married soon, ' she

truly found happiness, she wouldn't think of quitting

she went into relapse, her mind would be flooded with all things about

She missed him terribly.

her while always ruthless to

his dominance and indifference would surface, she was lucky

down to

rushed into the room and found

"Lala," he called.

her up carefully and leaned

relax, he

be over soon," he reassured her in a