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

to believe that the innocent baby that Ayla was carrying

then listening to

looked like a weak, sick

Why on earth was she asked to go out

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

fully aware

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

soon only because she had given herself to

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

indecisive

because he saw how she was pressured

nothing without the Smith family.Molly gazed into

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

Molly concluded.

this love, but at the end of the day, was he really worth it? Toby slowly

arms as gently as a

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

destined to be a

brought a beam of sunlight to

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

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

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

over now.You get some

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

wanted to wash out all disturbing thoughts

the less desperate she would be.Suddenly Maria pulled Ayla towards

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

it's nothing," Ayla

walked into a wall and got a nasty bump." Ayla's lies literally ate

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

tenderly nestled Ayla on

the fridge and returned with an ice pack which she 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

too happy when he

a rule.What could have possibly transpired at the mall

know.I'll ensure that I'm back in

not to run into

she not mention to me? Why

their conversation in the

Mortified, Ayla stood up.

ice pack crushed

we were not expecting you back so soon!"

had returned much earlier than

the bruise on her

"What happened to you?"

accidentally walked into a wall and