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

refused to believe that the innocent baby

back then listening to the baseless accusations snarled upon

like a weak,

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

honest with me.You owe me that much.If you no longer love me then

was fully aware that Ayla and Toby had lived together in

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

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

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 husband ...and

had been indecisive in

give up on Ayla because he saw how she was pressured and tortured by

without the Smith family.Molly gazed into Toby's

even think about her? Can you erase every memory of her? If you make every attempt to avoid her

Molly concluded.

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

as gently as a

person who had stood by him and helped

was destined to be a

beam of sunlight to her

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

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

Ayla had returned to the villa and

affectionately, "I'll take over now.You

was around.Ayla

wanted to wash out all disturbing thoughts

reconciled her thoughts, the less desperate she would

did you bruise your face so badly? Oh

it's nothing," Ayla

nasty bump."

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

tenderly nestled Ayla

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

happy when he finds

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

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

determined not to run

not mention to me? Why don't you

had overheard their conversation in

Mortified, Ayla stood up.

pack crushed

you back so soon!"

returned much earlier

noticed the bruise

"What happened to you?"

into a wall and