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

to believe that the innocent baby that Ayla was

Ayla must have suffered back then listening to the

a

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

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

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

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

her so soon only because she had given herself to him so early in their relationship.Besides, there

yet?Toby cradled Molly in his arms and 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

indecisive in the

to give up on Ayla because he saw how she was

Smith

see Ayla ever again? 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

Molly concluded.

herself that she had made many a sacrifice to sustain this love, but at the end of

her in his arms as gently as a newborn, he

the only person who had stood by

to be a major part of

words brought a beam

she teased, "Shall we spend the night in the hotel? We should not head home.You know how inquisitive my parents

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

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

affectionately, "I'll take over

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

wash out all disturbing thoughts

less desperate she would

did you bruise your face so badly? Oh

nothing,"

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

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

tenderly nestled Ayla on the

returned with an ice pack which she wrapped in a towel and dabbed on her

too happy when he

from conflicts as a rule.What could have possibly transpired at the

don't mention anything to him.He doesn't need to know.I'll ensure that I'm back

was determined not to run into

Why don't

had overheard their conversation in the

Mortified, Ayla stood up.

crushed

not expecting you back so

had returned much earlier than

noticed the bruise on

"What happened to you?"

into a wall and