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

the innocent baby that

suffered back then listening

a weak,

Clark family had enough servants to carry out menial tasks! Why on earth

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

was fully aware

relations.She was aware that people wouldn't easily forget those

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

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

been indecisive in

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

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

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

Molly concluded.

herself that she had made many a sacrifice to sustain this love, but at the end of the day, was he really worth it? Toby slowly inhaled a deep breath of

gently as a newborn, he whispered convincingly, "Yes, I

only person who had stood

a major

brought a beam of sunlight to her

she teased, "Shall we spend the night in the hotel? We should not head home.You know

the depths of her being that she truly loved Toby.She had always been a caring, protective, somewhat possessive lover, but it had all

the hues of the powerful rainbow.Meanwhile, Ayla had returned

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

"Lala" when no one else was around.Ayla replied sweetly, "It's okay.I need to keep busy

out all disturbing thoughts

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

name did you bruise your face so

nothing,"

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

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

nestled Ayla on the

ice pack which she wrapped in a towel and dabbed on her face.Ayla took the ice pack and reassured Maria, "I'm fine,

too happy when he

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

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

was determined not to run into Brian that

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

overheard their conversation

Mortified, Ayla stood up.

crushed to the

you back

returned much earlier than

the bruise on her

"What happened to you?"

a wall and