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

believe that the innocent

back then listening to the baseless

a weak,

servants to carry out menial tasks! Why on earth was she asked to go out and purchase the

what way was she embarrassed? It 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 much.If you no longer love me then admit it.You didn't have to feel obligated to marry me just because

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

had married her so soon only because she had given herself to him so early in their

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

had been indecisive

on Ayla because he saw how she was

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

you absolutely sure? Do you really mean it? Can you promise never to 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 between Ayla and

Molly concluded.

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

his arms as gently as a newborn, he whispered convincingly,

only person who had stood by him and

was destined to be a major part of his

brought a beam of sunlight

"Shall we spend the night in the hotel? We

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

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

take over now.You get some

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

wash out all disturbing thoughts from her

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

name did you bruise your face so badly?

nothing,"

bump." Ayla's lies

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

nestled Ayla on the

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 a

happy when

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

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

was determined not to run into

to me? Why

conversation in

Mortified, Ayla stood up.

crushed to

not expecting you back so soon!" she

had returned much

the bruise on

"What happened to you?"

into a