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 Toby

innocent baby that Ayla

then listening to

like a weak,

Why on earth was she asked

Be honest with me.You owe me that much.If you no longer love me then admit it.You didn't

finally took a breath after this tirade.She was fully aware that Ayla

believe that they had not had sexual relations.She was aware that people wouldn't

knew that Toby had married her so soon only because she had given herself to him so

fallen pregnant yet?Toby cradled Molly in his arms and lovingly remarked, "Molly, I am truly sorry.Let's put this unpleasant episode

been indecisive in the

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

the Smith family.Molly gazed into

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

Molly concluded.

the end of the

taking her in his arms as gently as

the only person

was destined to be a

a beam of sunlight to her

the hotel? We

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

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

"I'll take over now.You get some well-deserved rest,

around.Ayla replied sweetly, "It's okay.I

wanted to wash out all disturbing thoughts from

the less desperate she would be.Suddenly Maria pulled

heaven's name did you bruise your face so badly? Oh no!

it's nothing," Ayla

nasty bump." Ayla's lies

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

tenderly nestled Ayla

and dabbed on her face.Ayla took the ice pack and reassured Maria, "I'm fine, really.I'll be

be too happy when

as a rule.What could have possibly transpired

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

not to run

me? Why don't

conversation

Mortified, Ayla stood up.

pack crushed to

we were not expecting you back so

returned much

noticed the bruise on

"What happened to you?"

into a