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

believe that the innocent baby that Ayla

suffered back then listening

a weak,

Why on earth was she asked to go out and

what way was she embarrassed? It was I who was embarrassed! 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

aware that Ayla and Toby

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

given herself to him so early in their relationship.Besides,

hadn't she fallen pregnant 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

had been indecisive in

up on Ayla because he saw how she was pressured and

the Smith family.Molly

about her? Can you erase every memory

Molly concluded.

she had made many a sacrifice to sustain this love, but at the end

as gently as a newborn, he

person who had stood

was destined to be a major part of his

a beam of sunlight

we spend the night in the

she truly loved Toby.She had always been a caring, protective, somewhat

Ayla had returned

affectionately, "I'll take over now.You

else was around.Ayla replied sweetly, "It's okay.I need to keep busy

wash out all

desperate she

heaven's name did you bruise your face so badly? Oh no! Your lips

nothing," Ayla

nasty bump."

what happened.I can't bear to see you in such pain.Who did this to you? How can anyone be

nestled Ayla on

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

will not be too happy when he finds out."

from conflicts as a rule.What could have possibly

need to know.I'll ensure that I'm

not to

Why don't you want me

conversation in the

Mortified, Ayla stood up.

pack crushed to the

expecting you back

much

the bruise on her

"What happened to you?"

accidentally walked into a wall