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.

misunderstood the relationship between Toby and

innocent baby that Ayla was carrying was

listening to the baseless accusations snarled

looked like a weak, sick

Why on earth was she

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

fully aware that Ayla and Toby had lived

had not had sexual relations.She was aware that

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

am truly sorry.Let's put this unpleasant episode behind us and move

indecisive

because he saw how she

Smith family.Molly

Can you promise never to see Ayla ever again? Not to even think about her? Can you erase

Molly concluded.

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

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

diseased hospital bed.Molly was the only person who

be a major part

beam of sunlight to

smile, she teased, "Shall we spend the night in the

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

Ayla had returned to the villa and

affectionately, "I'll take over now.You get some

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

out all

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

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

nothing,"

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

that, Lala.Tell me what happened.I can't bear to see you in such pain.Who did this to

tenderly nestled Ayla

on her face.Ayla took the ice pack and reassured Maria, "I'm fine,

will not be too happy when

could have possibly transpired at the mall that resulted in her

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

was determined not to run

must she not mention to me? Why don't you want me

their conversation in

Mortified, Ayla stood up.

crushed

we were not expecting you back so soon!"

had returned much earlier

noticed the bruise on

"What happened to you?"

walked into a