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

believe that the innocent baby that Ayla was carrying

have suffered back then listening to the baseless

like a

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

Am I nothing to you? Be honest with me.You owe me that much.If you

finally took a breath after this tirade.She was fully aware that

had not had sexual relations.She was aware that

given herself to him so early in their relationship.Besides, there

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 forward with renewed strength and trust.I am your husband ...and always

been indecisive

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

without the Smith

Do you really 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 more

Molly concluded.

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

her in his arms as gently as a newborn, he whispered convincingly, "Yes,

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

was destined to be a major part of

beam

night in the hotel? We should not head home.You

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

rainbow.Meanwhile, Ayla

over

else was around.Ayla replied sweetly, "It's okay.I need

wanted to wash out all disturbing thoughts from

desperate she

name did you bruise your face so badly? Oh no! Your

it's nothing," Ayla

got a nasty bump." Ayla's

to see you in such pain.Who

Ayla on the

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

when he finds out."

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

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

to

must she not mention to me? Why

conversation in the living

Mortified, Ayla stood up.

crushed to the

you back so

returned much

bruise on her

"What happened to you?"

a