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.

had clearly misunderstood the relationship between Toby

that the innocent baby that

listening to the baseless accusations snarled

looked like a weak, sick

the Clark family had enough servants to carry out menial tasks! Why on earth was she asked to go out and

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

was fully aware that

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

married her so soon only because she had given herself to

pregnant yet?Toby cradled Molly in his arms and lovingly remarked, "Molly, I am truly sorry.Let's

had been indecisive in the

up on Ayla because

was nothing without the Smith family.Molly

about her? Can you

Molly concluded.

at the end of the day, was he really worth it? Toby

gently as a newborn,

hospital bed.Molly was the only person who had

a

a beam of sunlight

night in the hotel? We should

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

powerful rainbow.Meanwhile, Ayla had

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

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

wash out all

her thoughts, the less desperate she would

heaven's name did you bruise your face so badly? Oh no! Your lips are also swollen!" she

it's nothing," Ayla

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

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

Ayla on the

towel and dabbed on her

too happy when he finds out." Maria's

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

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

determined not to run into Brian

me? Why don't you want me to

had overheard their conversation in the

Mortified, Ayla stood up.

ice pack crushed to the

expecting you

had returned much earlier

the bruise on

"What happened to you?"

a wall and got