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

Ayla dragged her aching body to her room.She was sore all over.

Leaning against the bed, she sat on the ground.

Her eyes shifted to the bottle of contraceptive pills on the bedside table.How long would she have to do this? 

Sitting in his room, Brian took a drag of his cigarette and puffed out the smoke.

His mind kept replaying what just happened.

He wondered why he became so impulsive after being drunk.

It never happened before.

He still couldn't understand what kind of woman Arlene was? Brian wanted to investigate about her when he realized her behavior differed from what he had heard about her.

But when Toby showed up, he overlooked his suspicion.

Her secret rendezvous with Toby was enough proof.

Ayla grabbed her new phone, which was given by Brian.

There was no other phone number except his.

He really wanted her to cut off all contacts.

She stared at it forlornly before putting it aside.

A week passed by after that incident.

Ayla feared that Toby would be worried for her.

She needed to meet him and explain things.

She didn't want Toby to lose his bright future and his beautiful fiancee because of her.

Although she had just seen his fiancee from a distance, she could tell that his fiancee was a beautiful and very graceful lady.

Unlike her, who had just been a burden to Toby, his fiancee was mature and really suitable for Toby.

Toby always had Ayla's back since childhood.

He skipped classes for her, fought for her, worked for her to buy her delicious food.

So, the Brown family hated Ayla very much for being Toby's priority.

Although she was adopted by Clayton, she never understood what his purpose was behind adopting her.

Because he never cared about her and never wanted to keep her in his close proximity.

Ayla never called him father.

When she turned eighteen, she thought she could finally get rid of the Woodsen family, which never really was her home.

But instead, Clayton pushed her towards a darker future from where she couldn't see a way out.

approached her with a request to

her, she had to

three days since Brian didn't

nothing to do, Ayla walked out of her room and went

only freedom Brian approved of was, she could roam freely inside

assign any bodyguards to restrict

the only people she

had to sneak out of

she was going to take care of some private affairs and would

didn't even ask

nearby bus station

at

keeping you locked? You aren't even coming to school these days.But if you continue to be absent from school, you will get into trouble.Our dean has been looking for you.But we couldn't get in touch with you," Lisa said everything

you can talk to the dean and I'm sure things will be fine after that.But during your absence, a

to the school? Did he say anything?" Ayla asked

school, he might as well go to the Woodsen

there he'd know what

and wore a designer suit.Are you in a relationship with him too?" Lisa blurted

Ayla, especially because Ayla was better

appreciated by the

wasn't good at socializing, as she spent a lot of time

She also worked part-time.

family's support, Ayla was able to gain

wasn't really

of Ayla, because Ayla

 Lisa looked at

card? Why don't

took out a card and

fortunate to have Toby's

she lost Toby's number along

ask the dean to grant me a few

the school

Veronica nodded understandingly.

been going on

until Ayla felt comfortable to talk, she

talkative person, so it explained why she hadn't yet told

the business card

for a long time,

"Hello!" 

Toby answered the call.

not how she had

he'd sound more anxious because of

Ayla said

for a

Molly who was sitting right in

asked almost in a flat tone, "What's

you busy now?"

it clear today, she might

"Go ahead."

looked calm and collected on the