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 between Toby and

refused to believe that the innocent

suffered back then listening

a weak, sick

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

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

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

to believe that they had not had sexual relations.She was aware that people wouldn't easily forget

had married her so soon only because she had given herself

remarked, "Molly, I am

been indecisive

to give up on Ayla because he saw how she was pressured and

was nothing without the Smith family.Molly

it? Can you promise never to see Ayla ever again? Not to even think about her? Can you erase

Molly concluded.

at the end of the day, was

taking her in his arms as gently as a newborn, he whispered convincingly, "Yes,

pain in that diseased hospital bed.Molly was the only person who had stood by him and helped him get back

was destined to be a

words brought a beam of

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

been a caring, protective, somewhat possessive lover, but

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

take over now.You get some

her "Lala" when no one else was around.Ayla

wash out all disturbing thoughts from her

desperate she would be.Suddenly Maria pulled

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

nothing,"

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

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

nestled Ayla on the

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, "I'm fine, really.I'll be as

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

is too kind hearted.She distances herself from conflicts as a rule.What could have

know.I'll ensure that I'm back in my

to run

not mention to me? Why don't you want me to

overheard their conversation in the living

Mortified, Ayla stood up.

crushed

we were not expecting you back so

returned much earlier than

the bruise

"What happened to you?"

into a wall and got