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.

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

hard to remember what happened last

immediately attended to him, her

are you feeling?

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

around Anna's body and the bruises were evident

that he lost

perfectly fine.Don't worry about

knew she could have refused and said no if she didn't

her willing to do anything

Brian gathered his clothes

opportunity so she stood up and embraced

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

thought of what

with any woman

an accident, fueled by strong emotions and heaps

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

I keep Anna and let her be with me

turned around and

choose the life you want.One

her away to break

for me and I don't deserve

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

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

insisted, "I have held you back for

your own path and think about your

the future.I've only had eyes for you ever since we met.I

world revolved

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

she witnessed how painful it was for

rather fall into the sea instead of Ayla, if it meant he wouldn't have to

much

would always put him

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

have it in me to love you or

before but that

knew that this great love would also cause him

he couldn't bring himself

understood where

reciprocate my feelings.Just give me a chance to love you the way you deserve

of anything in

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

she

bones spread like wildfire all over her

too much!" she

could

endured the painful torture that rendered her weak

pain, dying was the

see Brian

he and Anna would get married

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

relapse, her mind would be flooded with all things

She missed him terribly.

sometimes tender with her while

and indifference would surface, she was lucky enough to see his

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

rushed into the room and found her

"Lala," he called.

and leaned her

her to relax, he

over soon," he reassured her in a calm