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.

misunderstood the relationship between Toby

innocent baby that Ayla was carrying was

back then listening to

like a weak, sick

out menial tasks! Why on earth was she

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 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

fully aware that Ayla and Toby had

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

only because she had given

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 move forward

had been indecisive

Ayla because he saw how she was

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

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

Molly concluded.

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

her in his arms as gently as a newborn, he

hospital bed.Molly was the only person who had stood by him and

was destined to be a major

words brought a beam of sunlight

we spend the night in the hotel? We should not head

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

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

over now.You

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

wanted to wash out all disturbing thoughts from

less desperate she would

did you bruise your face so badly? Oh no! Your lips are also swollen!" she

it's nothing,"

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

see you in such pain.Who did this to you? How can anyone

tenderly nestled Ayla

went to 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 new in

happy when he finds out."

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

know.I'll ensure

not to run into Brian that

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

conversation in the

Mortified, Ayla stood up.

crushed to

we were not expecting you back so

much

noticed the bruise

"What happened to you?"

into a wall and got a