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 relationship between

that the innocent baby that Ayla was

then listening to

like a weak, sick

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

made a beeline for another woman in public! Am I nothing to you? Be honest with me.You owe me that

aware that

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

given herself to him so early

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

had been indecisive

because he saw how she was pressured and tortured by

nothing without the Smith family.Molly

it? Can you promise never to see Ayla ever again? Not to even think about her? Can you erase

Molly concluded.

herself that she had made many a sacrifice to sustain this love, but at the end of the

in his arms as gently as a

person who had stood by him and

to be a major part of his

brought a beam of sunlight to her

night in the hotel? We should not head home.You know how inquisitive

being that she truly loved Toby.She had always been a caring, protective, somewhat possessive lover, but

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

"I'll take over now.You get some

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

to wash out all disturbing thoughts

desperate she would be.Suddenly

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

it's nothing,"

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

than that, Lala.Tell me what happened.I can't bear to see you

nestled Ayla on the

and dabbed on

when he finds out." Maria's eyes scaled

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

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

was determined not to run into Brian that

Why don't you want me to know?" asked

conversation

Mortified, Ayla stood up.

pack crushed to the

we were not expecting you back so soon!" she

had returned much earlier than

bruise on

"What happened to you?"

a