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

that the innocent baby that Ayla

have suffered back then listening to the baseless accusations

like a weak, sick

family had enough servants to carry out menial tasks! Why on earth

me.You owe me that much.If you no longer love me then

this tirade.She was fully aware that

relations.She was aware that people wouldn't easily

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

recently, 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 forward with renewed

been indecisive in

Ayla because he saw how she was pressured and tortured

the Smith family.Molly gazed

to even think about her? Can you erase every memory of her? If you make every attempt to avoid her then there will be

Molly concluded.

had made many a sacrifice to sustain this love, but at the end of the day, was he really worth it? Toby slowly

his arms as gently as a newborn, he

person who had stood by him and helped him get

a

brought a beam of

"Shall we spend the night in the hotel? We should not head home.You

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

Ayla

"I'll take over

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

to wash out all

less desperate she would be.Suddenly Maria pulled

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

nothing," Ayla

walked into a wall and got a nasty bump." Ayla's lies literally ate her up.She knew that Maria

to see you in such pain.Who did this to you? How can anyone be

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 as

too happy when he finds out." Maria's eyes

have possibly transpired at the mall that resulted in her sustaining such an

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

was determined not to run into Brian

she not mention to me? Why don't you

had overheard their conversation in the living

Mortified, Ayla stood up.

pack crushed to

expecting you

much earlier

the bruise on her

"What happened to you?"

walked into a wall and