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

refused to believe that the innocent baby

must have suffered back then listening to the baseless accusations snarled

looked like a weak, sick

out menial tasks! Why

It was 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

aware that

was aware that people wouldn't easily forget those who had sexual relations with

given herself to

but why hadn't she fallen pregnant yet?Toby cradled Molly in his arms and lovingly remarked, "Molly, I am truly sorry.Let's put this unpleasant episode behind us and move

been indecisive in

because he saw how she was

was nothing without the Smith family.Molly gazed

Do 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 every attempt to avoid her then there will be no more

Molly concluded.

sacrifice to sustain this love, but at the end

as gently as a

person who had stood by him and helped him get back on his

destined to be a major part of his

words brought a beam of

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

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

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

said affectionately, "I'll take over

was around.Ayla replied

wash out all disturbing thoughts from her

the less desperate she would be.Suddenly

your face so badly? Oh no!

nothing," Ayla

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

see you in

Ayla on

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

too happy when

kind hearted.She distances herself from conflicts as a rule.What could have possibly transpired at the mall that resulted in her sustaining such an

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

determined not to run

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

overheard their conversation in the living

Mortified, Ayla stood up.

pack crushed

you

much earlier

noticed the bruise on

"What happened to you?"

into a wall