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.

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

hard to remember what happened last night but his drunkenness

attended to him, her voice laced

feeling? Do you have a

"I'm sorry.I drank

body and the bruises were evident on

immediately that

worry about these

no if she

for him made her willing to

gathered his

didn't want to waste this opportunity so she stood up and embraced him

Ayla is already dead.Let me be with you

stilled and thought of what she

hadn't slept with any woman since

accident, fueled by

happen again? He knew he wouldn't be capable of loving anyone else after

be with

around and

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

her away to break free from her

much for me and

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

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

insisted, "I

you choose your own path and

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

her world revolved around

dying for him didn't sound so bad

witnessed

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

much she loved

always put him

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

don't have it in me to

in love before but that changed

great love would also cause

was why he couldn't bring himself

where he was

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

been surer of anything in her

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

sweating profusely as she curled up

her bones spread like wildfire all over her

hurts too

she could handle

twice each day, she endured the painful torture

dying was the last thing on

see Brian happy

he and Anna would get married

truly found happiness, she wouldn't think

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

She missed him terribly.

sometimes tender with her while always ruthless

would surface, she was lucky enough to see his soft

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

the room and found her

"Lala," he called.

helped her up carefully and leaned her against his broad

to relax, he patted her

he reassured