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

to believe that the innocent baby that Ayla was carrying was

listening to the

like a weak,

carry out menial tasks! Why on earth was she asked

another woman in public! Am I nothing to you? Be honest with me.You

was fully aware that Ayla

believe that they had not had sexual relations.She was aware that people wouldn't easily

her so soon only because she had given herself to him so

remarked, "Molly, I am truly sorry.Let's put this

had been indecisive

had only decided to give up on Ayla because he saw how she was pressured

without the Smith

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

Molly concluded.

she had made many a sacrifice to sustain this love, but at the end of the day, was he really worth it?

arms as gently as a newborn, he whispered

was the only person who had stood by him and helped him

destined to be a major part of

a beam of

in the hotel? We should

Toby.She had always been a caring, protective, somewhat possessive lover, but it

Ayla had returned to the villa

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

was around.Ayla

to wash out all disturbing thoughts

thoughts, the less desperate she would

so badly? Oh no! Your lips are also swollen!"

nothing,"

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 pain.Who did this

Ayla

and dabbed on her face.Ayla took the ice pack and reassured Maria, "I'm fine,

be too happy when he finds

have possibly transpired

know.I'll ensure that I'm

to run into

mention to me? Why don't you want me to know?"

had overheard their conversation in the living

Mortified, Ayla stood up.

ice pack crushed to the

you back

much

bruise

"What happened to you?"

accidentally walked into a wall and got a