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 was carrying

must have suffered back then listening to the baseless accusations snarled

looked like a

servants to carry out menial tasks! Why

I who was embarrassed! I was the one who was subjected to 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 no longer love me then admit it.You didn't have to feel obligated to marry me just because I

fully aware that Ayla and Toby had lived together in that

be naive to believe that they had not had sexual relations.She was

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

am truly sorry.Let's put this unpleasant episode behind us and move forward with renewed strength

had been indecisive in

only decided to give up on Ayla because he saw

Smith

again? Not to even think about her? Can you erase every memory of her? If you make every attempt to avoid her then there will be no more

Molly concluded.

but at the

his arms as gently as a newborn, he whispered convincingly,

hospital bed.Molly was the only person who had stood by him and helped him get back

be a major part of his

beam of sunlight to her

she teased, "Shall we spend the night in the hotel? We should not head home.You know how

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

with the hues of the powerful rainbow.Meanwhile, Ayla had returned to the villa

affectionately, "I'll take over now.You

when no one else was around.Ayla replied sweetly, "It's okay.I need to keep busy right

wanted to wash out all disturbing thoughts from her

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

your face so badly? Oh no! Your lips are also swollen!"

it's nothing,"

a nasty bump." Ayla's

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

tenderly nestled Ayla

dabbed on her

too happy when he finds out." Maria's

too kind hearted.She distances herself from conflicts as a rule.What could have possibly transpired at the mall that resulted

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

not to run into Brian

to me? Why don't you want

had overheard their conversation

Mortified, Ayla stood up.

crushed

were not expecting you

returned much earlier

bruise

"What happened to you?"

walked into a wall and