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

innocent

must have suffered back then listening to the baseless accusations snarled

looked like a weak,

Why on earth was she asked

Be honest with me.You owe me that much.If you no longer love me then admit it.You didn't have to

fully aware that Ayla and Toby had lived together in

would be naive to believe that they had not had sexual relations.She was aware

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

I am

indecisive in

give up on Ayla because he saw how she was

without the Smith family.Molly gazed into Toby's

about her? Can you erase every memory of her? If you make every attempt to avoid

Molly concluded.

a sacrifice to sustain this love, but at the end of the day, was he really worth it? Toby slowly inhaled

arms as gently as a newborn,

that diseased hospital bed.Molly was the only person who had stood by him and helped him get

be a major part

words brought a beam of sunlight

teased, "Shall we spend the night in the

had always been a caring, protective, somewhat possessive lover, but it had all been in the name of love.She would always treat him this

Ayla had returned

take over

no one else was around.Ayla replied sweetly, "It's okay.I need to keep busy right

all disturbing thoughts from her

thoughts, the less desperate she

heaven's name did you bruise your face so badly? Oh

nothing," Ayla

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

see you in such pain.Who did this to

nestled Ayla on the

in a towel and dabbed on her face.Ayla took the ice

will not be too happy when he finds out." Maria's

have possibly transpired at the mall that resulted in her sustaining such

mention anything to him.He doesn't need to know.I'll ensure

determined not to run

mention to me? Why don't you want me

their conversation in the living

Mortified, Ayla stood up.

ice pack crushed to

we were not expecting you back so

returned much earlier

noticed the bruise on

"What happened to you?"

into a wall