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

remember what happened last night but his drunkenness

to him,

are you feeling? Do

replied, "I'm sorry.I drank

roam around Anna's body and the bruises were evident

knew immediately that

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

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

her willing to do

a word, Brian gathered his clothes and

to waste this opportunity so she stood up and embraced him from

dead.Let me be with you and make you happy.You deserve it!

stilled and thought of what she

hadn't slept with any woman

accident, fueled by

he allow it to happen again? He knew he wouldn't be capable

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

around

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

pushed her away to break free from

much for me

for you.Even if you won't love me back, give me a chance

for him grew stronger over the years.She wouldn't dare give up over his words and

her fondly and insisted, "I have held you back

that you choose your own path

his dismissal, she continued, "I don't care about the future.I've only had eyes

her world revolved

life so living and dying for

she witnessed how painful

instead of Ayla, if it meant he

much

always

Anna's fervent words, Brian held

it in me to love you or

before but that changed when he met

this great love would also cause

why he couldn't bring himself to love again

understood where he

love you

surer of anything in

but with her

sweating profusely as she curled up on

her bones spread like

hurts too

know if she could handle this agonizing pain

twice each day, she endured the painful

the pain, dying was the last thing on

still wanted to see Brian happy with

he and Anna would get

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

relapse, her mind would

She missed him terribly.

her while

would surface, she was lucky enough to see his soft

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

into the room and

"Lala," he called.

her up carefully and leaned

to relax, he patted her

be over soon," he reassured her in a calm