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

that the innocent

suffered back then listening to the

like a weak, sick

to carry out menial tasks! Why on

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

aware that Ayla and Toby had lived together in

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

that Toby had married her so soon only because she had given herself to him so early in their relationship.Besides, there was one

arms and lovingly remarked, "Molly, I am truly sorry.Let's put

been indecisive

because he saw how she

Smith

about her? Can you erase every memory of her? If you make every attempt to avoid her then there will be no more run-ins between Ayla

Molly concluded.

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

his arms as gently as a newborn, he whispered convincingly, "Yes,

pain in that diseased hospital bed.Molly was the only person who had stood by him and helped him get back on his

be a major part

brought a beam

the hotel? We should not

of her being that she truly loved Toby.She had always been a caring, protective, somewhat

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

take over now.You get

was around.Ayla

wash out all disturbing thoughts

her thoughts, the less desperate she would be.Suddenly

you bruise your face so badly? Oh

nothing,"

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

Lala.Tell me what happened.I can't bear to see you in such pain.Who did this to you? How

Ayla

fridge and returned 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

not be too happy when he finds out." Maria's eyes scaled

hearted.She distances herself from conflicts as a rule.What could have

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

determined not to run into

me? Why don't you want

their conversation in

Mortified, Ayla stood up.

ice pack crushed to the

expecting you back so soon!" she

much earlier

noticed the bruise on

"What happened to you?"

walked into a wall and got