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

that the innocent baby that

Ayla must have suffered back then listening to the baseless accusations snarled upon

like a weak,

menial tasks! Why on earth 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 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

was fully aware that

would be naive to believe that they had not had sexual relations.She was aware that people wouldn't

soon only because she had given herself to him so early in their relationship.Besides,

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 and trust.I

been indecisive in the

because he saw how she was pressured and tortured by

the Smith family.Molly

again? Not to even think about her? Can you erase every memory of her? If you make every attempt to avoid her then

Molly concluded.

that she had made many a sacrifice to sustain this love, but at the end of the day, was he really worth

taking her in his arms as gently as a newborn,

recollected lying in pain in that diseased hospital bed.Molly was the only person who had stood by him and helped him get back

to be a

words brought a beam of sunlight to

sensual smile, she teased, "Shall we spend the night in the hotel? We

been a caring, protective, somewhat possessive lover, but it had all been in

him with the hues of the powerful rainbow.Meanwhile, Ayla had

take over

called her "Lala" when no one else was around.Ayla replied sweetly,

out all

sooner she reconciled her thoughts, the less desperate she would be.Suddenly Maria

bruise your face so badly? Oh no! Your lips are

it's nothing," Ayla

accidentally walked into a wall and got a nasty bump."

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

tenderly nestled Ayla on the

in a towel and dabbed on

be too happy when he finds

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

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

not to run into Brian

must she not mention to me? Why don't

their conversation in the

Mortified, Ayla stood up.

ice pack crushed to

you back so soon!" she

returned much earlier

the bruise on her

"What happened to you?"

into a wall