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 relationship between Toby

refused to believe that the innocent baby that Ayla

back then listening to the baseless accusations

like a weak, sick

menial tasks! Why on earth

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

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

relations.She was aware that people wouldn't easily forget

had given herself to him so early in their relationship.Besides,

yet?Toby cradled Molly in his arms and lovingly remarked, "Molly, I am

indecisive in the

give up on Ayla because he

was nothing without the Smith family.Molly gazed

her? Can you erase every memory of her? If you make

Molly concluded.

this love, but at the end of the day, was he really worth

gently as a newborn, he whispered convincingly,

bed.Molly was the only person who had stood by him and helped him get back on

to be a major part

beam of sunlight to

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

truly loved Toby.She had always been a caring, protective, somewhat possessive lover, but it had all been in the

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

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

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

to wash out all disturbing thoughts

she reconciled her thoughts, the less desperate she would be.Suddenly

face so badly? Oh no! Your lips

it's nothing,"

nasty bump." Ayla's lies literally ate her up.She

that, Lala.Tell me what happened.I can't bear to see you

tenderly nestled Ayla

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 new

when he finds out." Maria's eyes

herself from conflicts as a rule.What could have possibly transpired at the mall that resulted

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

to run into Brian that

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

overheard their conversation

Mortified, Ayla stood up.

ice pack crushed to

you back so soon!"

returned much earlier than

the bruise on

"What happened to you?"

accidentally walked into a wall