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

refused to believe that the innocent baby that Ayla was carrying was

listening to

a weak,

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

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

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

relations.She was aware that people wouldn't easily forget those who

had given herself to him so early in

hadn't taken any contraceptives 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

been indecisive in the

had only decided to give up on Ayla because he saw how she was

was nothing without the Smith family.Molly gazed

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 inhaled a deep

as gently as a newborn, he whispered convincingly, "Yes, I

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

be a major part of his

brought a beam of sunlight to

in the hotel? We should

always been a caring, protective, somewhat possessive lover,

Ayla

over now.You get some well-deserved

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

wash out all disturbing thoughts

the less desperate she

face so badly? Oh no!

nothing,"

walked into a wall and got a nasty bump." Ayla's lies literally ate

better than that, Lala.Tell me what happened.I can't bear to see you in such

tenderly nestled Ayla on the

to the fridge and returned with an ice pack which she wrapped in a towel and dabbed on her face.Ayla took the ice pack and reassured Maria, "I'm

will not be too happy when he finds out." Maria's eyes

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 I'm back in my room before

not to run into Brian that

mention to me? Why don't

conversation

Mortified, Ayla stood up.

crushed to the

we were not expecting you

had returned much

the bruise on her

"What happened to you?"

accidentally walked into a wall and got a