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.

and found himself lying in the bed of the lounge with Anna closely beside

to remember what happened last night but his drunkenness made everything

to him, her

are you feeling?

"I'm sorry.I drank

around Anna's body and the bruises were

knew immediately that he

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

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

made her willing to do anything

his clothes and started

to waste this opportunity so she stood up

with you and make you happy.You deserve it! I'm willing to be

stilled and thought

hadn't slept with any woman since

by strong emotions

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

around and faced

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

her away to break free from

done so much for me and I don't deserve

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

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

gazed at her fondly and insisted, "I have

choose your own path and

only had eyes for you ever since we met.I couldn't possibly want

her world revolved

dying for

she witnessed how painful

if it meant he wouldn't

much she loved

would always put

Anna's fervent words, Brian held her

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

fall in love before but that

would also cause him the greatest

he couldn't bring himself to love again after

understood where he

a chance to love you the way you deserve

of anything in her life than at

if I destroy her eventually?'’ Brian thought about this possibility too, but with her clear determined eyes looking up at him,

sweating profusely as she curled up on her

spread like wildfire

too much!"

could handle

she endured the painful torture that

dying was the last thing on

to see Brian happy with

and Anna would get married

was sure that he truly found happiness,

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

She missed him terribly.

sometimes tender with her

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

out of bed and down to the floor.She couldn't bear the pain at

into the room and found

"Lala," he called.

up carefully and leaned her

her to relax, he patted her

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