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

last night but his drunkenness

attended to him, her voice laced

how are you feeling? Do you have

"I'm sorry.I drank too

body and the

that he lost

fine.Don't worry about

she

him made her

his clothes and

so she stood up and embraced him

Ayla is already dead.Let me be with

stilled and thought of what she

any woman

accident, fueled by strong emotions and

wouldn't be capable of loving anyone else after what happened with

her be with me for

turned around and

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

always done so much for me and I don't

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 loved you," she declared

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

insisted, "I

your own path

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

her world revolved

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

death devastated Brian and she witnessed how painful it

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

much

always put him

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

me to love you or anyone else

love before but that changed

this great love would also cause him

couldn't bring himself to love again

completely understood where

chance to love you

never been surer of anything in

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

was sweating profusely as she curled up on

sharp tingling from her bones spread like wildfire

hurts too

didn't know if she could handle

endured the painful torture that rendered her

was the last thing on

to see Brian happy

and Anna would get married soon, ' she

found happiness, she wouldn't think of quitting just

relapse, her mind would be flooded with all things about

She missed him terribly.

was sometimes tender with her while

when his dominance and indifference would surface, she was lucky enough

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

the room and

"Lala," he called.

helped her up carefully and

her to relax, he patted

he reassured