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.

had clearly misunderstood the relationship between

that the innocent baby that Ayla was

listening to the

like a weak, sick

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

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

fully aware that Ayla and

to believe that they had not had sexual relations.She was

she had given herself to

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 this unpleasant episode behind us and move forward with renewed strength and trust.I am your husband ...and

been indecisive

give up on Ayla because he saw how she was pressured and

the Smith family.Molly gazed into

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.

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

taking her in his arms as gently as a newborn,

in that diseased hospital bed.Molly was the only person

to be a major part

a beam of sunlight to her

the hotel? We should not head home.You

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

Ayla had returned to the

take over now.You get some well-deserved

"Lala" when no one else was around.Ayla

wanted to wash out all disturbing thoughts from

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

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

it's nothing," Ayla

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

me better than that, Lala.Tell me what happened.I can't bear to see you in such pain.Who did this to you? How can anyone be

nestled Ayla

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

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

have possibly transpired at the mall that

know.I'll ensure that I'm

was determined not to run into Brian

mention to me? Why don't

conversation in the

Mortified, Ayla stood up.

crushed to

not expecting you back so soon!"

returned much earlier

bruise on

"What happened to you?"

accidentally walked into a wall and