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

believe that the innocent baby that Ayla

have suffered back then listening to the baseless accusations snarled upon

looked like a weak, sick

Why on earth was she

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

breath after this tirade.She was fully aware that Ayla

sexual relations.She was aware that people

also knew that Toby had married her so soon only because she had given

but why hadn't she fallen pregnant yet?Toby cradled Molly in his arms and lovingly remarked, "Molly, I am truly sorry.Let's put

indecisive in the

had only decided to give up on Ayla because

nothing without the Smith

you absolutely sure? Do you really mean it? Can you promise never to see Ayla ever again? Not to even think about her? Can you erase every memory

Molly concluded.

but at the end

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

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

was destined to be a major part of his

a beam of sunlight to

"Shall we spend the night in the hotel? We should

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

hues of the powerful rainbow.Meanwhile, Ayla

said affectionately, "I'll take over now.You get

"Lala" when no one else was around.Ayla replied

wash out all disturbing thoughts from

desperate she would be.Suddenly Maria pulled Ayla towards

name did you bruise your face so badly? Oh no! Your lips are also swollen!" she

nothing," Ayla

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

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

nestled Ayla on the

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 fine, really.I'll

be too happy when he

herself from conflicts as a rule.What could have possibly transpired at the

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

determined not to run into Brian that

Why don't you want me to

overheard their conversation in the

Mortified, Ayla stood up.

pack crushed to the

you back

had returned much

the bruise on her

"What happened to you?"

into a wall and