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 relationship between

to believe that the innocent baby that Ayla was

Ayla must have suffered back then listening

like a weak, sick

carry out menial tasks! Why on earth was she asked 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

aware that Ayla

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

married her so soon only because she had given herself to him so early in their

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

because

Smith

to see Ayla ever again? Not to even think about her? Can you erase every memory of her?

Molly concluded.

a sacrifice to sustain this love, but at the end of the day, was he really worth

as gently as a newborn, he whispered convincingly,

was the only person who had stood by

to be a major part of his

beam of sunlight to

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

of her being that she truly 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

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

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

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

to wash out all disturbing thoughts from

desperate she would be.Suddenly Maria pulled Ayla towards

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

nothing,"

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

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

nestled Ayla

and dabbed on her face.Ayla took the ice pack and reassured Maria, "I'm fine,

will not be too happy when he finds

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

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

to

Why don't you want me to know?"

overheard their conversation

Mortified, Ayla stood up.

crushed to

not expecting you back so soon!"

had returned much

noticed the bruise on

"What happened to you?"

accidentally walked into a wall