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

the innocent baby that Ayla was carrying

then listening

looked like a weak,

carry out menial tasks! Why on

I was the one who was subjected to humiliation! My husband made a beeline for another woman in public! 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

was fully aware

be naive to believe that they had not had sexual relations.She was aware that people wouldn't easily forget those who had

that Toby had married her so soon only because she had given herself to him so early in their relationship.Besides, there was one thing confusing

his arms and lovingly remarked, "Molly, I am truly sorry.Let's put this unpleasant episode behind us and

had been indecisive

because he saw how she

Smith

it? Can you promise never to see Ayla ever again? Not to even think about her? Can you erase

Molly concluded.

at the end

as a newborn, he whispered convincingly, "Yes,

was the only person who had stood by him and

to be a major part of his

words brought a beam of sunlight

smile, she teased, "Shall we spend the night in the hotel? We should not head home.You know how

her being that she truly loved Toby.She had always been a caring, protective, somewhat possessive lover, but it had all been

hues of the powerful rainbow.Meanwhile, Ayla had

"I'll take over now.You get some well-deserved rest,

no one else was around.Ayla replied

all disturbing thoughts from

she reconciled her thoughts, the less desperate she would

so badly?

it's nothing," Ayla

a wall and got a nasty bump." Ayla's lies literally ate her up.She knew

to see you in such pain.Who did this

Ayla on 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

happy when he finds out." Maria's eyes

as a rule.What could have possibly transpired at the mall that resulted in her

don't mention anything to him.He doesn't need to know.I'll ensure that I'm back in my room before

not to

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

had overheard their conversation in the living

Mortified, Ayla stood up.

ice pack crushed to

expecting you back so soon!"

had returned much earlier

bruise on

"What happened to you?"

accidentally walked into a wall and