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.

clearly misunderstood the

believe that the innocent baby that Ayla was carrying

must have suffered back then listening

like a weak,

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

way 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

breath after this tirade.She was fully aware that Ayla and Toby

that they had not had sexual relations.She was aware that

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

lovingly remarked, "Molly, I am truly sorry.Let's put this unpleasant episode behind us and move forward with renewed strength and trust.I am your husband ...and always will

been indecisive

Ayla because he saw how she was pressured and

the Smith family.Molly gazed into Toby's

you absolutely sure? Do you really 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

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

arms as gently as a newborn, he whispered convincingly,

that diseased hospital bed.Molly was the only person who had stood

to be a major

words brought a beam of sunlight

spend the night in the hotel? We should not head home.You know how inquisitive my

a caring, protective, somewhat possessive lover, but it had all been in the

the powerful rainbow.Meanwhile, Ayla had

over now.You get

else was around.Ayla replied sweetly, "It's okay.I need to keep busy right

out all

desperate she would

bruise your face so badly?

it's nothing,"

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

better than that, Lala.Tell me what happened.I can't bear to see you in such pain.Who did

nestled Ayla

wrapped in a towel and dabbed on her face.Ayla took the ice pack and reassured Maria, "I'm

when

could have possibly transpired at the mall that resulted in her

need to know.I'll ensure that I'm back in my room before he

determined not to run into Brian

Why don't you want

conversation in

Mortified, Ayla stood up.

crushed

you back so soon!" she

returned much earlier than

noticed the bruise

"What happened to you?"

a