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 with Anna

last night

immediately attended to him, her voice

you feeling? Do you have

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

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

that he

about

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

him made her willing to do anything for

a word, Brian gathered his clothes and started getting

to waste this opportunity so she stood up

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

stilled and thought of

any

by strong emotions and heaps

he wouldn't be capable of

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

around and faced

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

away to

much for

willing to do this for you.Even if you won't love me back, give me a chance to make you feel my love.I have

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

gazed at her fondly and insisted, "I have held

you choose your own path and think

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

world revolved around

owed him her life so living and dying for

death devastated Brian and she witnessed how painful it was for

would rather fall into the sea instead of Ayla, 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

don't have it in me to love you or

fall in love before but that changed

this great love would also

bring himself to love again

where he

a chance to love you the way you

of anything in

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

she curled up

tingling from her bones spread like wildfire all over her

hurts too much!" she

if she could handle this agonizing pain any

she endured the painful torture that rendered her

the

still wanted to see Brian

would get married soon,

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

time she went into relapse, her mind would be flooded

She missed him terribly.

sometimes tender with her while

and indifference would surface, she

down to the

outside, Lucas rushed into the room and found her face

"Lala," he called.

carefully and leaned her

to relax, he patted her back

hold on.It'll be over soon," he reassured her