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

the innocent baby that

Ayla must have suffered back then listening

looked like a weak,

had enough servants to carry out menial tasks! Why on earth was she asked to go out

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 to marry me just because I gave up my virginity

fully aware that Ayla

was aware that people

only because she had given

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

indecisive in the

because he saw how she was pressured

the Smith family.Molly gazed into Toby's

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.

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

gently as a newborn, he whispered convincingly, "Yes,

was the only person who had stood by him and helped him get back on

was destined to be a major

a beam of sunlight to

night in the hotel? We should not

protective, somewhat possessive lover, but it had all been in the name of love.She

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

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

one else was around.Ayla replied sweetly, "It's okay.I need

to wash out all disturbing thoughts from

her thoughts, the less desperate

did you bruise your face so badly? Oh

nothing," Ayla

got a nasty bump." Ayla's lies literally

know me 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

tenderly nestled Ayla on

dabbed on her face.Ayla took the ice pack and reassured Maria,

too happy when he finds out."

rule.What could have possibly transpired at the mall that

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

was determined not to run into Brian that

to me? Why don't you

conversation in the

Mortified, Ayla stood up.

ice pack crushed to

you back so soon!"

had returned much earlier than

bruise on her

"What happened to you?"

into a wall and got