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

that the innocent baby that Ayla was carrying

suffered back then listening to the baseless accusations snarled

a weak, sick

Why on earth was she

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

after this tirade.She was fully aware that Ayla

relations.She was aware

only because she had given herself to him so

and lovingly remarked, "Molly, I am

had been indecisive in

on Ayla because he saw how she was pressured and

nothing without the Smith family.Molly gazed

you promise never to see Ayla ever again? Not to even think about her? Can you

Molly concluded.

to herself that she had made many a sacrifice to sustain this love, but at the end of the

taking her in his arms as gently as a newborn,

recollected lying in pain in that diseased hospital bed.Molly was the only person who had

destined to be a major part of

a beam

"Shall we spend the night in the hotel? We should not head

caring, protective, somewhat possessive lover, but it had all been

the powerful rainbow.Meanwhile, Ayla had returned to the

take over now.You

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

wash out all disturbing thoughts

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

heaven's name did you bruise your face so badly?

it's nothing,"

nasty bump." Ayla's lies literally ate her

to see you in such pain.Who did this to you? How can anyone be so

nestled Ayla on the

returned with an ice pack which she wrapped in a towel and dabbed on her face.Ayla took

be too happy when he finds out."

distances herself from conflicts as a rule.What could have possibly transpired at the mall that

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

not to run into

to me? Why don't you want me to

had overheard their conversation in

Mortified, Ayla stood up.

pack crushed

expecting you back so soon!" she

much earlier

bruise on

"What happened to you?"

a wall and got