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

to believe that the innocent baby that Ayla was

then listening to the

a weak,

family had enough servants to carry out menial tasks! Why on earth

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

tirade.She was fully aware that Ayla and Toby had

would be naive to believe that they had not had sexual relations.She was aware that people wouldn't easily forget those who had sexual

she had given herself to him so early in their relationship.Besides, there was

yet?Toby cradled Molly in his arms and lovingly remarked, "Molly, I am

been indecisive in

to give up on Ayla because he saw how she was

the Smith family.Molly gazed into Toby's

you really mean it? Can you promise never to see Ayla ever again? Not to even think about her? Can you erase every memory of her? If you make

Molly concluded.

the end of the day, was he really worth it?

taking her in his arms as gently as a newborn, he whispered

only person who had stood by him and helped him

be a major

words brought a beam of

night in the hotel? We should

a caring, protective, somewhat possessive lover, but it

powerful rainbow.Meanwhile, Ayla had returned to the villa

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

one else was around.Ayla replied sweetly, "It's okay.I need to keep busy right now.Thank

to wash out all disturbing thoughts from

reconciled her thoughts, the less desperate she would be.Suddenly Maria pulled Ayla towards

name did you bruise your face so

nothing,"

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

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

tenderly nestled Ayla on

went to the fridge and returned with an ice pack which she wrapped in a towel and dabbed on her

too happy when he

could have possibly transpired at the mall that resulted in her sustaining such an

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

not to run into Brian

not mention to me? Why don't you want me to know?"

had overheard their conversation in

Mortified, Ayla stood up.

crushed to the

not expecting you back so

much

bruise

"What happened to you?"

walked into a wall and got a