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

believe that the innocent

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

like a

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

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

breath after this tirade.She was fully aware that Ayla and

had sexual relations.She was aware that people wouldn't easily forget those who had sexual relations

because she had given herself to him so early in their

taken any contraceptives recently, but why 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

had been indecisive in the

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

Smith

mean it? Can you promise never to see Ayla ever again? Not to even think about her? Can you erase every memory of her? If you make every attempt to avoid her then there will be no

Molly concluded.

but at the end of the day, was he really worth it? Toby slowly inhaled a deep breath of

gently as a newborn,

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

be a

beam of sunlight to her

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

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

the powerful rainbow.Meanwhile, Ayla had

over

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

wash out all

her thoughts, the less desperate

name did you bruise your face so

it's nothing,"

wall and got a nasty bump." Ayla's lies literally

know me better than that, Lala.Tell me what happened.I can't bear to see you in such pain.Who did this to

tenderly nestled Ayla

which she wrapped in a towel and dabbed on her face.Ayla took the

happy when he finds

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

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

was determined not to run

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

their conversation

Mortified, Ayla stood up.

pack crushed to

expecting you back so soon!"

returned much

noticed the bruise

"What happened to you?"

accidentally walked into a