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 and

innocent baby that Ayla was

must have suffered back then listening to the

looked like a

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

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

was fully aware that

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

had married her so soon only because she had given

remarked, "Molly, I am truly sorry.Let's put this unpleasant episode behind us and move forward

been indecisive

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

nothing without the Smith

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 Ayla

Molly concluded.

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

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

person who had stood by him and helped him

was destined to be a major

a beam of sunlight to her

sensual smile, she teased, "Shall we spend the night in the hotel? We should not head

been a caring, protective, somewhat possessive lover, but it had all been

the powerful rainbow.Meanwhile, Ayla had returned to the villa and was

"I'll take over now.You

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

wanted to wash out all disturbing thoughts from

thoughts, the less desperate she would be.Suddenly Maria pulled Ayla

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

it's nothing," Ayla

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

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

nestled Ayla on

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

not be too happy when he finds

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

to run into Brian that

Why don't

conversation

Mortified, Ayla stood up.

pack crushed

not expecting you back so

much earlier

bruise on her

"What happened to you?"

into a wall and got a