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

'What's the point?' Ayla sneered.

Right now, everything was pointless to Ayla.

If he wanted to tell her something, he would.

But if he didn't want her to know anything, or if he was going to take another woman on a business trip, then it was better if he didn't tell her.

"What time is your flight?"

Ayla said to him after a long time of hesitating to speak.

Was she beginning to care about him? She had barely ever asked him about anything, not even what he wanted for dinner.

But no matter what she cooked, Brian never complained.

As he rested his chin on her slender shoulder, he said, "Send me off at the airport."

She didn't have the right to refuse him.Her face was a bit swollen, but she didn't feel any pain.They were seated at the back of the car.

Ayla looked out the window at the vast snowy land.

"It's so beautiful," she muttered.This winter, she had lost everything, and her heart was sealed in ice, causing it to become colder than snow.

She felt so numb that the only way she could fall asleep was through taking sleeping pills every night.

If it weren't for Brian putting pressure on her, she might've swallowed all the pills to forget everything.

Embracing her, he said, "Accompany me on the business trip."

The sound of his voice was so calm and certain, but somehow, there was still a bit of doubt in it.

Ayla shook her head.

"I'm not used to it."

Never had she left this city, and she didn't have any plans to do so either.

At least not right now.

"You're so stubborn.I'm starting to believe that you only agreed with Arlene to be her substitute and marry into the Clark family because of my wealth."

Nobody in this world could be richer than Brian.

He was enjoying a good life, but that was only because he made greater efforts than everyone else.

"That's right.I'm tired of being poor, so I came after your money."

Ayla didn't deny his claim.

Maybe he wasn't the only person thinking that.

Perhaps Toby, Arlene, and all the members of the Smith family were of the same mind.

She was a girl who had nothing.

What else could she want other than money? Didn't she choose to do this because she wanted to have more? But despite what she said, Brian didn't get mad at her.

don't displease me, I'll give you

never

just looked at him

I still hate him?

the lobby of the airport, there were

was standing beside Brian and

Brian was about to board the plane, his travelling companion still

Ayla was confused.

his own? Didn't he bring anyone else with him? As Brian walked forward with a suitcase in hand,

"Are you alone?"

her voice was laden with

"I am."

first time he went on a business trip without Anna.He wasn't

you can go inside! Don't

as Ayla stopped Brian, she instantly

wished she could bite her tongue

he pulled her into his arms and kissed her amidst the crowded airport hall.Ayla's mind went blank because of his sudden kiss, and

to kiss her until she couldn't

without glancing back.It took her a while to regain her composure and go

wasn't as relieved as

was almost the Chinese New Year,

though Ayla was staying at the servants' quarters, she was able

the cleaning herself,

"Lala, dinner is ready."

she found Ayla cleaning the

"Okay.I'm coming!"

two of them sat at the dining

you received any

seemed to call the landline phone of the villa whenever he was out on a trip, and Ayla's cellphone hadn't been used for a long time because she had nobody to contact.Shaking

shifted her focus back on the dishes, but she didn't have an appetite."It's New Year's Eve in two days.Mr.Clark didn't

Maria added.

a maid who had been working here for

during Chinese New Year, so the villa was usually

"I see."

put down her

he

way, she could spend the Chinese New Year

had been cloudy

New Year's Eve, a heavy

a simple dress as she squatted

are you? Are you mad at me? Why aren't you appearing

had elapsed, the wound in her heart still hadn't healed.Moments later, Maria came over to put a

getting late and the snow

or else you're gonna catch a

baby for a long time, so I want to be with him for a little

lonely, so she didn't

not to

was the only cold and

happiness and excitement brought by

much laughter there was, Ayla seemed like she didn't want

her cheeks as she fell