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.

in the bed of the lounge with Anna closely

to remember what happened last night but his

him, her voice laced

are you feeling? Do you have a

replied, "I'm

Anna's body and the bruises were evident on

that he

worry about these bruises,"

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

her willing to do anything for

Brian gathered his clothes

waste this opportunity so she stood up and embraced

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

and thought of

hadn't slept with any woman since Ayla

accident, fueled by

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

her be with me for as long as possible?’'

around

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

to break free from her

done so much for me and I

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

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

"I have

your own path and think about

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

her world revolved

life so living and dying for him didn't

death devastated Brian and she witnessed how painful it was

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

how much she loved

would always put him

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

it in me to love you or anyone else anymore," he

in love before but that changed when

great love would also cause him the greatest

he couldn't bring himself to love again after what

where he was

you

of anything in

but with her clear determined eyes looking up at him, he couldn't deny her

profusely as she curled up on

sharp tingling from her bones spread

too

if she could handle this agonizing

twice each day, she endured the painful torture that

the pain, dying was the last

to see Brian happy with his

would get married

found happiness, she wouldn't

relapse, her mind would be flooded with all things

She missed him terribly.

sometimes tender with her while always

would surface, she was lucky

bed and down to the floor.She couldn't

the

"Lala," he called.

and leaned her

to relax, he patted her back

soon," he reassured her in a calm