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

that the innocent

back then listening to the

a weak,

Clark family had enough servants to carry out menial tasks! Why

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

this tirade.She was fully aware that Ayla and Toby had lived

had sexual relations.She was aware that

because she had given herself to him

contraceptives recently, but why hadn't she fallen pregnant yet?Toby cradled Molly in his arms and lovingly remarked, "Molly, I am

had been indecisive in

on Ayla because he saw how she

nothing without the Smith

to even think about her? Can you erase every memory of her? If you make every attempt to avoid her then there

Molly concluded.

a sacrifice to sustain this love, but at the end of

arms as gently as a newborn,

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

to be a major part of his

words brought a beam of sunlight to

spend the night in the hotel? We should

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

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

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

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

wanted to wash out all

desperate she would be.Suddenly Maria pulled Ayla towards

name did you bruise your face so badly? Oh no! Your lips

it's nothing,"

a wall and got a nasty bump."

to see you in such pain.Who did

nestled Ayla on

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 good as

when he finds out." Maria's

herself from conflicts as a rule.What could have

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

not to run into Brian

mention to me? Why don't you want me to know?" asked

had overheard their conversation

Mortified, Ayla stood up.

crushed

expecting you back so soon!"

much earlier

the bruise on her

"What happened to you?"

a