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 and

that the innocent

then listening to the

like a

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

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

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

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

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

am truly

indecisive

because he saw

Smith family.Molly gazed

you really mean it? Can you 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

Molly concluded.

confessed to herself that she had made many a sacrifice to sustain this love, but at the end of the day, was he really worth

as gently as a newborn, he whispered convincingly,

was the only person

destined to be a major part of

brought a beam of

she teased, "Shall we spend the night in the hotel? We should not head home.You know how inquisitive my parents

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

hues of the powerful rainbow.Meanwhile, Ayla

"I'll take over now.You

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

out all disturbing thoughts

less desperate she would be.Suddenly Maria pulled

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

it's nothing,"

walked into a wall and got a nasty bump." Ayla's lies literally ate her up.She knew that Maria was

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

tenderly nestled Ayla on the

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 fine, really.I'll be as good as new in a

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

rule.What could have possibly transpired at the mall that resulted

doesn't need to know.I'll ensure that I'm back in my room

determined not to run into

she not mention to me? Why don't you want me

conversation in

Mortified, Ayla stood up.

crushed to the

were not expecting you back so

much earlier than

bruise on her

"What happened to you?"

a wall