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

believe that the innocent baby that Ayla was carrying was

listening to the

a weak,

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

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

took a breath after 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

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

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

had been indecisive in

had only decided to give up on Ayla because

was nothing without 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 you make every attempt to avoid her then there will be no

Molly concluded.

to 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

his arms as gently as a newborn, he

person who had

to be a major

words brought a beam

night in the hotel? We should not head

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

powerful rainbow.Meanwhile, Ayla had returned to the villa and was packing

over now.You get some

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

wanted to wash out all disturbing thoughts from

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

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

nothing," Ayla

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

can't bear to see you in such pain.Who did this to you? How can anyone

tenderly nestled Ayla

the fridge and returned with an ice pack which she wrapped in a towel and dabbed on

will not be too happy when he finds out." Maria's eyes

could have possibly transpired at the mall

doesn't need to know.I'll ensure that I'm back in my room before

not to run into Brian

not mention to me? Why don't you

overheard their conversation in the

Mortified, Ayla stood up.

crushed to

we were not expecting you back so soon!"

returned much

noticed the bruise on her

"What happened to you?"

into a