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.

misunderstood the relationship between Toby

refused to believe that the innocent

Ayla must have suffered back then listening to the

looked like a weak, sick

enough servants to carry out menial tasks! Why on earth was she

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

fully aware that Ayla and

had not had sexual relations.She was

so soon only because she had given

I am truly sorry.Let's put this unpleasant episode behind us and

been indecisive

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

without the Smith

even think about her? Can you erase every

Molly concluded.

she had made many a sacrifice to sustain this love, but at the end of

as gently as a

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

to be a

words brought a beam of sunlight

a sensual smile, she teased, "Shall we spend the night in the hotel? We should

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

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

said affectionately, "I'll take over

called her "Lala" when no one else was around.Ayla replied sweetly, "It's okay.I need

wanted to wash out all disturbing thoughts

less desperate she would be.Suddenly Maria

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

it's nothing,"

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

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

Ayla

dabbed on her

happy when he finds out." Maria's eyes scaled

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

need to know.I'll ensure that I'm back in my room

determined not to run into

mention to me? Why don't you want me

had overheard their conversation in

Mortified, Ayla stood up.

pack crushed

were not expecting you back so soon!" she

had returned much

the bruise

"What happened to you?"

into a wall and got a