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

believe that the innocent baby that Ayla was carrying

then listening to

like a weak,

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

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 no longer love me then admit it.You didn't have to feel obligated to marry me just because I gave

fully aware

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

soon only because she had given herself to him so early

taken any contraceptives recently, but why hadn't she fallen pregnant yet?Toby cradled Molly in his arms and lovingly remarked, "Molly, I am truly

been indecisive

give up on Ayla because he saw how she was

the Smith

think about her? Can you erase every memory of her? If you make

Molly concluded.

many a sacrifice to sustain this love, but at the end of the day, was he really worth it? Toby slowly inhaled a deep breath of fresh

in his arms as gently as a newborn, he whispered

bed.Molly was the only person who had stood by him and helped

was destined to be a major part of

words brought a beam of sunlight

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

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

the hues of the powerful rainbow.Meanwhile, Ayla

"I'll take over now.You get some

around.Ayla replied sweetly, "It's okay.I need to keep busy right now.Thank

wanted to wash out all disturbing thoughts

she reconciled her thoughts, the less desperate

name did you bruise your face so badly? Oh no! Your lips are

nothing," Ayla

nasty bump."

to see you in such

tenderly nestled Ayla on the

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

when he finds out." Maria's eyes

is too kind hearted.She distances herself from conflicts as a rule.What could have possibly transpired at the mall that resulted in her sustaining such an

know.I'll ensure that I'm back in

not to run

Why don't you want

overheard their conversation

Mortified, Ayla stood up.

ice pack crushed to the

expecting you back so soon!"

had returned much earlier than

the bruise on her

"What happened to you?"

walked into a wall and