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

Ayla must have suffered back then listening

like a

servants to carry out menial tasks! Why on earth

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 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

finally took a breath after this tirade.She was fully aware that Ayla and Toby had lived together

be naive to believe that they had not had sexual relations.She was aware that people

her so soon only because she had given

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

been indecisive

up on Ayla because he

without the Smith family.Molly gazed into

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.

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

arms as gently as a newborn, he whispered convincingly, "Yes,

diseased hospital bed.Molly was the only person who had stood by him and helped him

be a major part of

words brought a beam of sunlight

"Shall we spend the night in the hotel? We should not

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

the powerful rainbow.Meanwhile, Ayla had returned

over now.You get some well-deserved rest,

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

wanted to wash out all disturbing thoughts from

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

face so badly? Oh no! Your lips are also swollen!"

it's nothing," Ayla

got a nasty bump." Ayla's

can't bear to see you in

Ayla on

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, "I'm fine, really.I'll be as good

be too happy when he finds

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

mention anything to him.He doesn't need to know.I'll

was determined not to run into Brian that

not mention to me? Why don't you

overheard their conversation in the living

Mortified, Ayla stood up.

ice pack crushed

expecting you

much

the bruise

"What happened to you?"

walked into a wall and got