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 between Toby

believe that the innocent baby that

then listening to the baseless

like a weak, sick

tasks! Why on earth was she asked to go out and purchase

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

aware that Ayla and

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

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

I am truly sorry.Let's put this unpleasant episode behind us and move forward with renewed strength and trust.I am your husband ...and

had been indecisive

up on Ayla because he saw how she

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

to see 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

as gently as a newborn, he whispered

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

a major part of

words brought a beam

spend the night in the hotel? We should not

protective,

Ayla had returned

take over

no one else was around.Ayla replied

wanted to wash out all disturbing

she reconciled her thoughts, the less desperate

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

it's nothing,"

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

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

tenderly nestled Ayla on

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

happy when he finds out." Maria's eyes

rule.What could have possibly transpired at the mall that resulted in her sustaining such an

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

determined not to run

Why don't

had overheard their conversation in

Mortified, Ayla stood up.

pack crushed to the

were not expecting you back

had returned much earlier than

the bruise on her

"What happened to you?"

walked into a wall and got