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 of the lounge with Anna closely

last night but his

attended to him, her voice laced

how are you feeling? Do you

his head and replied, "I'm sorry.I drank

body and the bruises were

immediately that

perfectly fine.Don't worry about these

she didn't want it to happen, but she chose

him made her willing to do

his clothes and started

waste this opportunity so

decisive voice she pleaded, "Brian, Ayla is already dead.Let me be with you and make you happy.You deserve it! I'm willing to

thought of what

slept with any

fueled by strong

happen again? He knew he wouldn't be capable of

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

turned around

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

to break

for

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 always

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

and insisted, "I have held

that you choose your own path and

had eyes for you ever

world

dying for him didn't sound so

and she witnessed how

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

was how much she loved

would always

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

to love you or anyone else anymore,"

he'd fall in love before

would also cause him

he couldn't bring himself to

where he was coming

a chance to love you the way

surer of anything in

this possibility too, but with her clear determined eyes looking up at him, he couldn't

as she curled up on her

bones spread like wildfire

hurts too

if she could

she endured the painful torture that rendered her

the pain, dying was the last thing

wanted to see Brian happy with

get married soon, '

unless she was sure that he truly found

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

She missed him terribly.

her

surface, she was lucky enough to

out of bed and down to the

from outside, Lucas rushed into the room and found her face

"Lala," he called.

up carefully and leaned her against his

to relax, he patted

on.It'll be over soon," he