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.

clearly misunderstood the relationship

refused to believe that the innocent baby that

then listening to the baseless accusations snarled upon

looked like a weak,

tasks! Why on earth was she asked to go out and purchase

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

a breath after this tirade.She was fully aware that Ayla and Toby had lived together in

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

also knew that Toby had married her so soon only because she had given herself to him so early in their relationship.Besides, there was one thing

Molly in his arms and lovingly remarked, "Molly, I am truly sorry.Let's put this unpleasant episode behind us and move forward with

had been indecisive

to give up on Ayla because he

nothing without the Smith family.Molly gazed into

to even think about her? Can you erase every memory of her?

Molly concluded.

to sustain this love, but at the end of the day, was he really worth it?

as a newborn, he whispered convincingly, "Yes,

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

destined to be a

words brought a beam of

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

Toby.She had always been a caring, protective, somewhat possessive lover, but it had all been in the

Ayla had returned to

take over now.You get some well-deserved rest,

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

to wash out all

less desperate

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

nothing," Ayla

walked into a wall and got a nasty bump."

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

tenderly nestled Ayla on

wrapped in a towel and dabbed on her face.Ayla

too happy when

conflicts as a rule.What could have possibly transpired at the mall that resulted

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

not to run into

not mention to me? Why don't

their conversation in the living

Mortified, Ayla stood up.

crushed

not expecting you back

much earlier than

bruise on

"What happened to you?"

into a wall and