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 Toby

refused to believe that the innocent baby

back then listening to the baseless

like a weak, sick

Clark family had enough servants to carry out menial tasks! Why on earth was she asked to go out and purchase

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

after this tirade.She was fully aware that Ayla and Toby had

had not had sexual relations.She was aware that

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

arms and lovingly remarked, "Molly, I am truly sorry.Let's put this unpleasant episode behind us and move forward with renewed strength

had been indecisive

Ayla because he

without the Smith

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

Molly concluded.

this love, but at the end of the day, was he really worth

as a newborn, he whispered convincingly, "Yes,

only person who had stood by him and helped him

destined to be a major part of his

words brought a beam of sunlight to her

night in the

caring, protective, somewhat possessive lover,

powerful rainbow.Meanwhile, Ayla had returned

"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

to wash out all disturbing thoughts from

the less desperate she would be.Suddenly Maria pulled Ayla

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

it's nothing,"

bump." Ayla's lies literally ate her

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

tenderly nestled Ayla on

in a towel and dabbed on her face.Ayla took the ice pack and reassured Maria, "I'm fine,

will not be too happy when he finds

as a rule.What could have possibly transpired at the mall that resulted in

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

determined not to run into Brian that

must she not mention to me? Why don't you

had overheard their conversation in the living

Mortified, Ayla stood up.

ice pack crushed to the

you

much earlier

bruise

"What happened to you?"

accidentally walked into a