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

innocent

must have suffered back then listening to

like a

enough servants to carry out menial tasks! Why on earth

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 up my virginity to you.That's not your responsibility! Did you take responsibility for Ayla?

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

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

married her so soon only because she had given herself to him

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

had been indecisive

because he saw how she

the Smith family.Molly gazed into Toby's

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

Molly concluded.

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

his arms as gently as a newborn, he

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

be a

words brought a beam of sunlight to

in the hotel? We should not head home.You

always been a caring, protective, somewhat possessive lover, but it had all been in the name of love.She

Ayla had returned to the villa

take 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

out all disturbing thoughts from

she reconciled her thoughts, the less desperate she

in heaven's name did you bruise your face so badly? Oh no! Your lips are

nothing," Ayla

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

bear to see you in such pain.Who did this

Ayla on the

dabbed on her face.Ayla took the ice

happy when he finds out." Maria's eyes scaled

conflicts as a rule.What could have possibly transpired

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

to run into Brian that

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

their conversation in the living

Mortified, Ayla stood up.

ice pack crushed to the

we were not expecting you

had returned much

bruise

"What happened to you?"

accidentally walked into a