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

innocent

Ayla must have suffered back then listening to the baseless

a weak, sick

had enough servants to carry out menial tasks! Why on earth was she asked to

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

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

had not had sexual relations.She was aware that people

because she had given herself to

I am truly sorry.Let's put this unpleasant episode behind us and move forward with renewed strength and trust.I am your

indecisive in

had only decided to give up on Ayla because he saw

without the Smith family.Molly

even think about her? Can you erase every memory of her?

Molly concluded.

sacrifice to sustain this love, but at the end of the day, was he really worth it?

her in his arms as gently as a

bed.Molly was the only person who had stood by him and helped him

be a major part

words brought a beam of sunlight to her

the night in the hotel?

the depths 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 name of love.She would always treat

hues of the powerful rainbow.Meanwhile, Ayla had returned

said affectionately, "I'll take over now.You get some well-deserved rest,

around.Ayla replied sweetly, "It's okay.I need to keep busy right now.Thank

to wash out all disturbing

her thoughts, the less desperate she would

face so

it's nothing,"

nasty bump." Ayla's

can't bear to see you in such pain.Who did this to you?

tenderly nestled Ayla on the

dabbed on her face.Ayla took the

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

rule.What could have possibly transpired at the mall that

need to know.I'll ensure that I'm back

to run into Brian that

mention to me? Why don't you

conversation in the living

Mortified, Ayla stood up.

ice pack crushed

expecting you back so

had returned much earlier

noticed the bruise

"What happened to you?"

walked into a wall