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

Ayla looked at Molly totally aghast.Then she stared at Toby quizzically.She said, "Get up, Mrs.Brown.I promise not to ever see him again!"

After all that had transpired recently, there was certainly no reason for her and Toby to ever see each other again.

Toby tried to interject but Ayla knew that anything he uttered at that moment would further exacerbate the problem.

She instructed him, "Mr.Brown, take your precious wife home! We are in a public place now."

Ayla was not in the least bit concerned about anyone's opinions about her.

But she knew at the back of her mind that if the daughter and son-in-law of the prestigious Smith Group continued to misbehave in public, they would promptly feature in the following day's news broadcast.Ayla then made a hasty exit from the shopping mall.

Lyle, who had been patiently awaiting her at the gate, hurried forth to assist her with her bag.

He immediately detected that something was amiss.

Deeply concerned, he enquired, "Miss Woodsen, are you all right?"

Lyle was horrified to see her swollen face and the bloodstain at the corner of her mouth.

She had been in the mall for barely an hour.

What could have possibly happened to drive her into this tragic state?

"I'm just fine, Lyle.Don't mention a word about this to Mr.Clark," she pleaded.

Ayla slumped against the seat helplessly.

She gently closed her eyes and introspected.

Tears cascaded down her burning cheeks.

She was consumed by old emotions of heartbreak and bitterness.

Past pain of misery resurfaced.

Coupled with this emotional torture, she had reached a new low of extreme pain and helplessness.

Meanwhile, after quickly assessing the gravity of the situation, Toby swept Molly off to a nearby hotel.

Miley, on seeing them safe, gestured to the driver to take her back home.

Molly was visibly disturbed.She couldn't bear to look Toby in the eye.

"Molly,"

Toby comforted, "please don't be angry.You know that I had lost all contact with Lala.Was all this embarrassing drama even necessary? And in full view of the public?"

Toby asked her with some concern in his voice as he sat beside her.He was genuinely worried about Ayla.

Four months into her pregnancy and he did not notice a baby bump.

Chances were great that she had miscarried.

clearly misunderstood the relationship between Toby

innocent baby that Ayla

back then listening to the baseless accusations snarled upon

like a weak, sick

carry out menial tasks! Why on earth was she asked to go

Am I nothing to you? Be honest with me.You owe me that much.If you no longer love me then admit it.You didn't have to feel obligated to marry me just because I gave up my virginity to you.That's not your responsibility! Did you take responsibility for Ayla? Did

this tirade.She was fully aware that Ayla and

was aware that

Toby had married her so soon only because she had given herself to him

yet?Toby cradled Molly in his arms and lovingly remarked, "Molly, I am truly sorry.Let's put this unpleasant episode behind us and move forward with renewed strength

been indecisive in the

only decided to give up on Ayla because he saw how she was pressured and tortured

nothing without the Smith family.Molly gazed into

see Ayla ever again? Not to even think about her? Can you

Molly concluded.

to sustain this love, but at the end

his arms as gently as a newborn, he whispered convincingly,

hospital bed.Molly was the only person who had stood

was destined to be a major

a beam of

the night in the hotel? We should not head home.You know how

truly loved Toby.She had always been a caring, protective, somewhat possessive lover, but it had all been in the name

him with the hues of the powerful rainbow.Meanwhile, Ayla had returned to the villa and was packing the

over now.You get

only called her "Lala" when no one else was around.Ayla replied sweetly, "It's okay.I need to keep busy

wash out all disturbing

thoughts, the less desperate

heaven's name did you bruise your face so badly? Oh

nothing,"

got a nasty bump." Ayla's lies literally ate her

me what happened.I can't bear to see

Ayla on the

went to the fridge and returned with an ice pack which she wrapped in a towel and dabbed on her face.Ayla took the ice pack and reassured Maria,

too happy when he

distances herself from conflicts as a rule.What could have possibly transpired at the mall that resulted in

know.I'll ensure that I'm back

not to run into Brian

Why don't you want me to know?" asked

their conversation in

Mortified, Ayla stood up.

crushed to

were not expecting you back so soon!"

had returned much earlier

bruise on her

"What happened to you?"

accidentally walked into a wall