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

the innocent

have suffered back then listening to the baseless accusations

looked like a

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

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

aware that Ayla and Toby had lived together in

naive to believe that they had not had sexual relations.She was aware that people wouldn't

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

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

had been indecisive

to give up on Ayla because he saw

without the Smith

her? Can you erase every memory of her? If you make every attempt to avoid her then there will be no more run-ins between Ayla

Molly concluded.

but at the end

gently as a newborn, he whispered convincingly,

diseased hospital bed.Molly was the only person who had stood

to be a

words brought a beam of sunlight to

the night in the hotel? We should not head home.You know

loved Toby.She had always been a caring, protective, somewhat possessive lover, but it had all been in the name of love.She would always treat him

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

"I'll take over now.You get some well-deserved rest,

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

wanted to wash out all disturbing

thoughts, the less desperate

face so badly?

nothing," Ayla

accidentally walked into a wall and got a nasty bump." Ayla's

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

nestled Ayla on the

wrapped in a towel and dabbed on her face.Ayla took the ice pack and reassured Maria, "I'm fine, really.I'll be as good as new in

too happy when he

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

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

determined not to

must she not mention to me? Why don't you want me

conversation in the living

Mortified, Ayla stood up.

crushed

were not expecting you

returned much earlier than

the bruise on

"What happened to you?"

accidentally walked into a wall and