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

that the innocent baby that Ayla was carrying was

have suffered back then listening to the baseless

a weak, sick

menial tasks! Why on earth was she asked

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 I gave up

this tirade.She was fully aware that Ayla and Toby had lived together

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

only because she had given herself to him so early in their relationship.Besides, there was one thing

his arms and lovingly remarked, "Molly, I am truly

been indecisive in

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

the Smith

Ayla ever again? Not to even think about her? Can you erase every memory of her? If you make every

Molly concluded.

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

in his arms as gently as a newborn,

was the only person who had stood by him and

a major part

a beam

the night in the hotel? We should not

a caring, protective, somewhat

the powerful rainbow.Meanwhile, Ayla had returned to the

over now.You get some well-deserved rest,

one else was around.Ayla

wanted to wash out all disturbing

less desperate she would be.Suddenly Maria

in heaven's name did you bruise your face so badly? Oh no!

it's nothing," Ayla

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

see you in such pain.Who

Ayla

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

will not be too happy when he finds

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

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

determined not to run into

not mention to me? Why don't you want

had overheard their conversation in the living

Mortified, Ayla stood up.

ice pack crushed to

were not expecting you

had returned much earlier than

bruise on

"What happened to you?"

into a wall and