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.

the relationship between Toby

refused to believe that the innocent baby that

back then listening to the baseless

like a

Clark family had enough servants to carry out menial tasks! Why on earth was she asked to go

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

this tirade.She was fully aware that Ayla and

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

that Toby had married her so soon only because she had given herself to him so early in their relationship.Besides, there

hadn't taken any contraceptives recently, but why hadn't she 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 with renewed strength and

been indecisive in the

up on Ayla because he saw how

the Smith family.Molly gazed into Toby's

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

Molly concluded.

but at the end of the day, was he really worth it? Toby slowly inhaled a deep breath of fresh

her in his arms as gently as a newborn, he

in pain in that diseased hospital bed.Molly was the only person who had stood by

was destined to be a

words brought a beam of sunlight to her

sensual smile, she teased, "Shall we spend the night in the hotel? We should

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

the powerful rainbow.Meanwhile, Ayla had returned to the

affectionately, "I'll take over now.You get

else was around.Ayla replied sweetly, "It's okay.I need to keep

to wash out all disturbing thoughts from her

less desperate she would

name did you bruise your face so badly? Oh no! Your lips

nothing,"

nasty bump." Ayla's lies literally ate her up.She knew that Maria was

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

Ayla on the

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

happy when he finds out." Maria's eyes scaled

hearted.She distances herself from conflicts as a rule.What could 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 that I'm back

to run into Brian

she not mention to me? Why don't you

conversation in the

Mortified, Ayla stood up.

ice pack crushed

you back

much earlier than

the bruise

"What happened to you?"

accidentally walked into a wall and