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.

clearly misunderstood the relationship between Toby

the innocent baby that Ayla was carrying

suffered back then listening to the baseless accusations

a weak, sick

out menial tasks! Why on earth was she asked to

public! Am I nothing to you? Be honest with me.You owe me that much.If you no

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

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

so soon only because she had given herself to him so early in their

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

indecisive

to give up on Ayla because he

Smith family.Molly gazed into

her? Can you erase every memory of her? If you make every attempt to avoid her then there will

Molly concluded.

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

arms as gently as a newborn,

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

be a major

brought a beam of

a sensual smile, she teased, "Shall we spend the night in the hotel? We should not head home.You know

loved Toby.She had always been a caring, protective, somewhat possessive lover, but it had all

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

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

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

to wash out all disturbing thoughts from

the less desperate she

heaven's name did you bruise your face so badly? Oh no!

it's nothing,"

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

me what happened.I can't bear to see you in such pain.Who did

nestled Ayla on

ice pack which she wrapped in a towel and dabbed on her face.Ayla took

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

conflicts as a rule.What could have possibly transpired at the mall that resulted in her sustaining

to him.He doesn't need to know.I'll ensure that I'm

was determined not to run into Brian

me? Why don't you

had overheard their conversation

Mortified, Ayla stood up.

ice pack crushed to

expecting you back so

had returned much earlier than

noticed the bruise

"What happened to you?"

walked into a wall and