The Substitute Bride: Making Memories Of Us (Lois Stone)

Lucas saw the look on her face.

"He raped you again, didn't he?"

Ayla turned her gaze away from him.She couldn't do anything when Brian threatened her and forced her to have sex with him.

"You shouldn't have given him the chance to rape you again! It has been more than two years.Haven't you forgotten how he hurt you?"

Lucas helped her dry her hair as he gazed into her eyes.

Why couldn't she forget about Brian? Were all the things he did for her during the past two years meaningless to her? Did she forget everything between them the second Brian reappeared in her life? And was she planning to get back together with him? Ayla got up and looked back at Lucas.

"I've never forgotten about it.How could I forget it? How could I cast aside the most painful experience I've ever gone through?" She loathed Brian.

And she hated him for raping her without considering how she would feel.

In doing so, he made her disgusted with the idea of coming back to him, and prevented her from ever giving her heart to him.  

"Lala, just stay away from him.We should go back to Italy.What do you think?"

All Lucas wanted to do right now was to get her as far away from this place as possible.He didn't want her to have anything to do with Brian ever again.

Although he knew that they were bound to meet in Antawood, he didn't expect that things would spiral out of control so soon after they saw each other.

Ayla looked back at Lucas.

‘Leave?’ What would happen to that woman if they left? Would he really just give up on her? If she made him give up on someone again because of her, then what did that make her? She didn't want to burden him.

During the past two years, she had lived by one principle.She had worked hard to make herself independent, but she knew how much she was indebted to him.

Back when she had a relapse every single day and was unable to live on her own, Lucas stood by her side without hesitation and helped her through many painful nights.

Lucas told her that she was his happiness, so she accepted his proposal.

But before she could even learn to love him back, Brian barged into her life again and forced himself on her, regardless if she wanted it or not.

go back to Italy together, alright? Or if you want to go to another country, I'll go

was trying to tell her that she should just forget about Brian, the man who put

them left, he'd also forget about

he could forego

he wanted to do right now was to protect her.  With hopeful eyes, she

sure if she could

it was only because everyone had believed

it? No, definitely nots "It's getting late.You should go back.Ms.Evans will come to Antawood tomorrow.I have to pick her up at the

and she knew he had to

asleep." It had been a long

the

lay on

was having a hard time

so happy during these past two years.With you by my side, I lived a good life.I felt like there was still hope for me to

recalled every detail of her

Lucas weren't there, she might've given up

that she now had.  "Silly girl, what are

was lying beside

you filling up your head with foolish notions just because you

Ayla shook her head.

just that I'm so lucky

the things that she was never fortunate enough to have and the

the rest of the night until she finally fell asleep, Lucas listened

it was almost

had to leave her to keep her

wanted to intercept

deals personally, maybe this time would be different.  It was already surprising that Brian had tolerated Tatum's antics for two years, but Lucas could see that the man was just waiting for the perfect opportunity to get rid of

was still doing shady business, but he owed him so much, and he also had

the hotel, he saw

Lucas tried to wake her

was here or not, she would probably stay