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 baby that Ayla was

Ayla must have suffered back then listening to the baseless accusations snarled

a

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

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 gave up my virginity to you.That's not your responsibility! Did you take responsibility

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

was aware that people

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

hadn't taken any contraceptives recently, but why hadn't she fallen pregnant yet?Toby cradled Molly in his arms and lovingly remarked, "Molly, I am truly sorry.Let's put this unpleasant episode behind us and

been indecisive

had only decided to give up on Ayla because he saw

nothing without the Smith family.Molly gazed into Toby's

about her? Can you

Molly concluded.

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

his arms as gently as a newborn,

recollected lying in pain in that diseased hospital bed.Molly was the only person who had stood by him

be a major part

brought a beam of sunlight

"Shall we spend the night in the hotel? We should

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

the powerful rainbow.Meanwhile, Ayla had

over

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

wash out all

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

so badly? Oh

nothing," Ayla

a wall and got a nasty bump."

to see

Ayla on the

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

hearted.She distances herself from conflicts as a rule.What could have possibly transpired at the mall that resulted in her

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

to run into Brian that

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

overheard their conversation

Mortified, Ayla stood up.

ice pack crushed

we were not expecting you

much earlier than

the bruise on

"What happened to you?"

accidentally walked into a wall and got a