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 between Toby

believe that the innocent baby that Ayla was carrying

have suffered back then listening to the

looked like a weak, sick

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

was she embarrassed? 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 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

breath after this tirade.She was fully aware that Ayla and Toby had lived together in that

not had sexual relations.She was aware that people

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

I am truly sorry.Let's put this unpleasant episode behind us and move forward with renewed strength and

had been indecisive in

give up on Ayla because he saw

the Smith family.Molly gazed

Not to even think about her? Can you erase every memory of her? If you make every attempt to avoid her then there will be no more run-ins between Ayla and

Molly concluded.

made many a sacrifice to sustain this love, but at the

as gently as a newborn,

person who

be a major part of his

brought a beam of sunlight to

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

protective, somewhat possessive lover, but it had all been in

Ayla had returned to the villa

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

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

wanted to wash out all disturbing thoughts from

sooner she reconciled her thoughts, the less desperate she would

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

nothing," Ayla

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

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

tenderly nestled Ayla

to 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,

when he

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

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

determined not to

not mention to me? Why don't you

had overheard their conversation in

Mortified, Ayla stood up.

pack crushed

we were not expecting you back so soon!" she

had returned much earlier

noticed the bruise on her

"What happened to you?"

into a wall and