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

refused to believe that the innocent baby

have suffered back then listening to the baseless accusations snarled

a weak,

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

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

was fully aware that Ayla and

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

she had given herself to him so early in their relationship.Besides, there

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 strength and trust.I

been indecisive

decided to give up on Ayla because he saw how she was

was nothing without the Smith family.Molly gazed into

to even think about her? Can you erase every memory of her? If

Molly concluded.

that she had made many a sacrifice to sustain this love, but at the end of

arms as gently as a

in that diseased hospital bed.Molly was the only person who

was destined to be a major

words brought a beam

night in the hotel? We should

being that she truly loved Toby.She had always been a caring, protective, somewhat possessive lover, but

of the powerful rainbow.Meanwhile, Ayla

said affectionately, "I'll take over now.You

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

wash out all disturbing

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

name did you bruise your face so badly?

it's nothing," Ayla

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

can't bear to see you in such pain.Who did this to you? How can anyone

Ayla on

towel and dabbed on her face.Ayla took

will not be too happy when he finds out."

rule.What could have possibly transpired at the mall that resulted in her

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

determined not to run

me? Why

conversation in

Mortified, Ayla stood up.

pack crushed

you back so soon!" she

much earlier than

noticed the bruise

"What happened to you?"

a wall and got