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

the innocent baby that

back then listening to the baseless

looked like a weak,

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

she embarrassed? It was I who was embarrassed! 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

after this tirade.She was fully aware that

sexual relations.She was aware that people wouldn't

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

cradled Molly in his arms and lovingly remarked, "Molly, I am truly sorry.Let's put this unpleasant episode behind

had been indecisive in

Ayla because he saw how she was pressured and tortured

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

Molly concluded.

had made many a sacrifice to sustain this love, but at the end of the day, was he really worth it? Toby slowly inhaled a deep breath of

arms as gently as a newborn, he whispered convincingly,

only person who had stood by him and helped

be a major part of

a beam of sunlight to

the hotel? We should not

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

rainbow.Meanwhile, Ayla had returned to

over now.You

only called her "Lala" when no one else was around.Ayla

wash out all disturbing thoughts

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

your face so badly? Oh no! Your lips are

nothing,"

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

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

tenderly nestled Ayla on

wrapped in a towel and dabbed on her face.Ayla took the ice pack and reassured Maria, "I'm fine, really.I'll be as good as new in

not be too happy when he finds

could have possibly transpired at the

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

determined not to run into

she not mention to me? Why

their conversation in the living

Mortified, Ayla stood up.

pack crushed to

not expecting you back

returned much earlier

noticed the bruise on her

"What happened to you?"

into a wall