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.

the relationship between Toby

that the innocent

have suffered back then listening to

like a

out menial tasks! Why on earth was she asked to go out and purchase the

woman in public! Am I nothing to you? Be honest with me.You owe me that much.If you no longer love me then

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

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

given herself to him so early in

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

had been indecisive in

on Ayla because he saw how she was pressured and tortured by

the Smith

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 more run-ins between

Molly concluded.

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

taking her in his arms as gently as

only person who had stood by him

be a major part

words brought a beam of sunlight to

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

she truly loved Toby.She had always been a caring, protective, somewhat possessive lover, but it had

the powerful rainbow.Meanwhile, Ayla had

take over now.You get some well-deserved rest,

when no one else was around.Ayla replied sweetly, "It's okay.I need to

wanted to wash out all disturbing thoughts from her

desperate she would be.Suddenly

heaven's name did you bruise your face so badly? Oh

it's nothing," Ayla

nasty bump." Ayla's lies literally ate her up.She knew that Maria was

me what happened.I can't bear to see you in such pain.Who

tenderly nestled Ayla

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

will not be too happy when

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

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

to run into Brian that

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

their conversation

Mortified, Ayla stood up.

pack crushed to the

were not expecting you back so

had returned much earlier than

the bruise

"What happened to you?"

accidentally walked into a wall and got a