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 Toby and

the innocent baby that Ayla was

listening to the baseless accusations snarled upon

a

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

to you? Be honest with me.You owe me that much.If

a breath after this tirade.She was fully aware that

believe that they had not had sexual relations.She was

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

recently, but why hadn't she fallen pregnant yet?Toby cradled Molly in his arms and lovingly remarked, "Molly, I am truly sorry.Let's put

had been indecisive in

up on Ayla because he saw how she was pressured and

Smith family.Molly gazed into Toby's

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

Molly concluded.

sustain this love, but at the end of

his arms as gently as a newborn,

in that diseased hospital bed.Molly was the only person who had stood

was destined to be a major

brought a beam of sunlight to her

teased, "Shall we spend the night in the hotel? We should not head home.You

in 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

Ayla had returned to the

said affectionately, "I'll take over now.You get

when no one else was around.Ayla replied

all disturbing

thoughts, the less desperate she would

so badly? Oh

nothing," Ayla

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

happened.I can't bear to see you in such pain.Who did this to you? How can anyone be

tenderly nestled Ayla on the

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

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

could have possibly

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

not to

Why don't you want

had overheard their conversation in

Mortified, Ayla stood up.

crushed to the

you back so

much earlier

the bruise on her

"What happened to you?"

into a wall and got a